White House Approbation, 1953

The White House receives many inquiries and comments from Congress and the public.  In today’s world, the President’s White House public engagement and communications staffs handle much of the work of responding to those missives.  In the past, however, most of that work was farmed out to the various agencies in the Executive Branch.  Inquiries … Continue reading White House Approbation, 1953

When did the President’s Home become the “White House”?

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. During the nineteenth century, the residence of the President of the United States was routinely referred to as the "Executive Mansion."  President Theodore Roosevelt changed that in 1901.  On October 17 of that year, … Continue reading When did the President’s Home become the “White House”?

Detour Ahead: The Paving of the White House Driveway

Today’s post is written by Cody White, Archivist at the National Archives in Denver. The scourge of road trip vacations. The bane of work commutes. Chances are every person who drives has a recent complaint or two about road construction hindering their plans and it’s possible that 79 years ago President Franklin Roosevelt too had … Continue reading Detour Ahead: The Paving of the White House Driveway

The Tale of Tartar the War Horse (Part II)

Today's post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher and is the continuation of last week's post. On April 9, 1863, President Lincoln met Tartar.  On that day the President reviewed I Corps (commanded by Maj. Gen. John Reynolds) of the Army of the Potomac and freed slaves serving in the army on a plain two … Continue reading The Tale of Tartar the War Horse (Part II)