12-13-2023 7:25pm

White House History Buff News: “Palace of State: The Eisenhower Executive Office Building”

Donnella Tilery Editor

December 13, 2023 (Washington, D.C.) – The White House Historical Association released a new episode of The White House 1600 Sessions podcast today featuring a conversation with John F. W. Rogers, former assistant to President Ronald Reagan and the Association’s current chairman of the board, about the rich architecture and legacy of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB). Stewart McLaurin, president of the Association, and Rogers had the unique opportunity to tour the EEOB and give viewers a behind the scenes look at its incredible spaces and hallowed halls which have borne witness to history. In the episode, McLaurin talks with Rogers about how he spearheaded efforts to renovate the EEOB and his dedication to historic preservation.

“It's so rare when you work for the government that 40 years later you can re-enter that space and see that it's still benefiting from the investment that you made,” said McLaurin. “What John has done to restore this magnificent building to what it is today is an extraordinary legacy and a great contribution to not only the people who have now worked there over these years, but to the country as a whole.”

The EEOB has been called a masterpiece of Second Empire style but its granite, slate and cast-iron exterior distinguishes it from most government buildings in the nation’s capital. The structure has stood the test of time for more than 150 years, surviving threats of demolition and even a couple of fires. The building originally housed the departments of State, War, and the Navy. Through the preservation efforts of Rogers, who started the renovation process while serving as an assistant to President Ronald Reagan, this National Historic Landmark now contains the office of the vice president and the most senior presidential staff members, among others.

“Something I realized during my time with the Reagan Administration is that the ability to be in rooms that had housed such great Americans who had served this country reminds you consistently of the public responsibility that anyone has for working here,” said Rogers. “It's very important in historic preservation that we remember where we've come from, and we remember that through the structures that we've built and what they represent. The White House and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building are about the enduring presidency.”

The White House 1600 Sessions podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

The full video of the podcast episode is also on the White House Historical Association’s YouTube channel here.

For more information, please contact press@whha.org.

The White House 1600 Sessions

White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin is the host of The White House 1600 Sessions, the Association’s official audio and video podcast devoted to exploring the history, cultural impact, untold stories, and personal accounts of America’s most iconic residence and highest office.

About the White House Historical Association

The White House Historical Association was founded in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to support her vision to restore and preserve the Executive Mansion and its legacy for generations to come. Mrs. Kennedy sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that has contributed more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission. To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org.