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Become a Part of History

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Explore the work of our historians, scholars, and teachers and learn what you can do to protect and educate America on the history of the White House.

Popular Membership Giving Levels

$65 Become a Member and Receive

  • The exclusive Official White House Christmas Ornament;
  • Invitations to special events and insider briefings;
  • The White House Historical Association newsletter, "The 1600 Dispatch," detailing the Association's latest initiatives;
  • Access to all previous episodes of History Happy Hour;
  • Discounts at Historic Hotels of America properties;
  • An invitation for two to our annual Holiday Member Reception at Historic Decatur House.

$100 Become a Member and Receive

  • Receive everything listed at the $65 giving level; PLUS
  • A one-year subscription to our award-winning White House History Quarterly journal.

$500 Join the Benjamin Latrobe Circle

  • Receive everything listed at the $65 and $100 giving levels; PLUS
  • Receive a copy of The White House: An Historic Guide- first conceived by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1962.

To learn more about our Premier Giving opportunities, please click here.

DID YOU KNOW?

Many are surprised to learn that the cost of preserving and maintaining the historic furnishings and art within the White House Collection isn't covered entirely by public money or by a federally-funded agency.

WHAT WE DO

In fact, the funds to help protect the Executive Mansion’s collection, preserve its interiors, and ensure public access to its living history are extensively supported by donations to the White House Historical Association. We are a private, non-profit organization established by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961.

how we do it

Protect

It’s hard to imagine, but prior to 1961 the White House did not contain a notable collection of historical furnishings — over the years, pieces have been sold, stored, or even kept by departing administrations. When Mrs. Kennedy began her White House restoration project, acquiring a museum-grade collection of artwork and furniture was one of her top priorities, and it remains one of our primary focuses today.

Service Plate in the Truman State Service
© 1999 WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

Working closely with the White House Curator, we fund the acquisition and protection of historically significant artwork, furniture, china, and other household items for the White House's permanent collection.

how we do it

Preserve

The Executive Mansion is officially a museum, which protects the artwork and furnishings donated to its permanent collection and safeguards the historical integrity of its rooms and gardens. But unlike most museums, it’s also a home to the First Family, an office for the President’s administration, and a stage for a nation’s ceremony and diplomacy. To ensure its public spaces remain a source of pride and admiration, we assist in the preservation and periodic renovation of White House interiors, and also commission the official portraits of the both the President and the First Lady.

Jacqueline Kennedy with Silver Pitcher Presented to the White House
JOHN F. KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM/NARA

We assist in the preservation and periodic renovation of White House interiors, and also commission the official portraits of both the President and the First Lady.

Red Room, John F. Kennedy Administration
WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

how we do it

Provide Public Access

The Association published the first White House Guidebook in 1962 in order to, in Mrs. Kennedy’s words, help its youngest visitors “stimulate their sense of history and their pride in their country.” In addition to our publications, we train teachers and educate school children on the important events surrounding the history of America’s executive mansion.

An Abraham Lincoln actor reading a letter
WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

We invest in public access through our historical publications, educational programs, curated exhibits, scholarly partnerships, one-of-a-kind digital image library, and the official White House Visitor Center.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Since the beginning, we’ve relied exclusively on the generosity of the American people to support our efforts to protect, preserve, and provide public access the “people’s house.”

We do not accept government funding of any kind for preservation work.

With the help of generous donations — both large and small — and through the sale of our White House Christmas Ornament, we’ve worked to maintain a meaningful connection between the public and the rich history of the Executive Mansion.

If you, like Mrs. Kennedy’s very first supporters, believe White House history is worth preserving, take a moment to become a part of that history by donating today.

PRESERVE OUR HISTORY

If you, like Mrs. Kennedy’s very first supporters, believe White House history is worth preserving, and teaching to America’s youth, please join our community of supporters through your donation.

For more information about donating, contact membership@whha.org.