Of the Nixon Foundation, his wife esther on the front row. And the president of the Nixon Foundation who you will hear from in a few moments. We have many distinguished guests, many former officials from the nixon and other administrations, and staff and friends of the foundation. We are honored to have you here tonight. This year marks the 50th inverse tree of tricia nixon becoming the first lady of the United States. Under her leadership white house collection added over 600 paintings and furnishing elements to the white house collection, which is the most of any presidency. The significance of this will be discussed in tonights program but its very important to us here at the White House Historical association as a core part of our mission, which was inspired as all of you know by first Lady Jacqueline kennedy to be the private, nonpartisan private partner to the white house for conservation, preservation, restoration of the beautiful staterooms in the white house, to the acquisitio
Pieces together. It is truly a privilege to introduce our first speaker, who is a fellow wisconsinite like myself. Our first speaker would be jonathan pliska, and author of the awardwinning White House Historical association publication, a garden for the president a history of the white house grounds. Jonathan will be signing copies of this book later in the day during the reception in the gift shop. You will have an opportunity to meet with him, and talk about how great his presentation was. No pressure. [laughter] please join me in welcoming jonathan pliska. [applause] jonathan yes, hello, i am in fact jonathan pliska. I am absolutely honored to be speaking at this wonderful garden symposium. I would like to thank the White House Historical association, oak spring, and all the other sponsors for having me here today for hosting the event. As well as that splendid reception last evening at the u. S. Botanical garden. Of course, thank you all for attending. I am going to give you the o
Symposium hosted by the White House Historical association in washington, d. C. He is an author of a garden for the president a history of the white house grounds. [applause] good morning. My name is dr. Matthew costello, and i am the assistant director of the National Center for white house history. It is a privilege to be with you this morning, also kind of seeing all the pieces together. It is truly a privilege to introduce our first speaker, who is a fellow wisconsinite like myself. Our first speaker this morning will be jonathan liska, the author of the awardwinning White House Historical association publication, a garden for the president a history of the white house grounds. Jonathan will be signing copies of this book later in the day during the reception in the gift shop. So you will have an opportunity to meet with him, and talk about how great his presentation was. [laughter] no pressure. So please join me in welcoming jonathan pliska. [applause] jonathan yes, hello, i am in
During the reception in the gift shop. You will have an opportunity to meet with him, and talk about how great his presentation was. [laughter] please join me in welcoming jonathan pliska. [applause] jonathan yes, hello, i am jonathan pliska. I am absolutely honored to be speaking at this wonderful garden symposium. I would like to thank the White House Historical association, oak spring, and all the other sponsors for having me here the event. Osting as well as that splendid reception last evening at the u. S. Botanical garden. Thank you all for attending. To give you the overview of the first 100 years or so of the white house grounds. Focusing on the various uses of the landscape, as well as its physical development, and to squeeze us all in in a little under 30 minutes. That is a bit of a tall order. Beill rather shall he not able to touch on absolutely everything. I like a challenge. It will be just fine. So, lets start with the basics. I am sure you are aware that the white house
Us by facebook and youtube here at white house history live. This is a special edition coming you from historic Decatur House on lafayette square. Just 200 yards from the north door of the white house. Today, we have a wonderful guest, pete souza, who is the bestselling author and for eight years was the chief White House Photographer for president. Obama headed the White House Photography Office and was a president ial photographer for president reagan. We have much talk about gathered with us here today. Indicator house is a wonderful audience. Friends of the White House Historical association. Many of you have the white house for years in either journalism, television, radio, photography and its great to have you with us as well. So lets dive in, have our first question to pete. Do you remember what the circumstances were, how old you were, the very first time you visited the white house . I do. I was a 1965. Okay. My parents took myself and my sister, jane to d. C. And we we toured