In this series, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin explores moments and interesting facts about White House history with the White House Historical Association historians.
In this episode, Historian Colleen Shogan tells us about the East Wing of the White House.
The East Room is the largest room in the White House. Grand yet sparsely decorated, it is used primarily for common gatherings such as conferences, announcements, and bill signings. It has hosted celebratory events such as receptions, performances, and weddings; and on occasion more somber ones such as funerals. Join White House Historical Association historian Dr. Matthew Costello as he explores the history of the East Room in this short video, made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring human endeavor.
On Feb. 14, 1962, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy gave the first televised tour of the White House in a CBS News Special with CBS News reporter Charles Collingwood. The tour gave the public an inside look at the historic residence, which had undergone a $2 million restoration project, and a brief history of changes over the years.
