White House History Quarterly 69- New York - Reflections - McLaurin

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for nearly a century the waldorf astoria hotel in New York has functioned as a presidential “home-awayfrom-Washington.” For Herbert Hoover, the hotel’s Apartment 31A was a second home and then a permanent home during his more than thirty-year postpresidential retirement.

As the historic Towers of the Waldorf Astoria are being converted into condominiums, the White House Historical Association has been invited to curate a presidential library for its residents. The library will include hundreds of books related to the White House and the presidency, published both by the Association and by other presses. The library will also serve as a mini-museum of sorts, with replicas of White House china and architectural elements on display. Historians and authors connected to the Association will be frequent visitors to this library, sharing with residents and their guests the stories from White House history. This interesting new venture on behalf

REFLECTIONS

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N E W Y R K

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STEWART D. M C LAURIN PRESIDENT, WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

of the Association gives us an outpost of White House history education among a community within a historic building in the world’s most vibrant city.

This spring 2023 issue of White House History Quarterly will be launched at the Waldorf Towers in June to highlight the many ways the city of New York has been a part of presidential history and the lives of first ladies and first families.

As I write this, two iconic presidential images related to the city of New York are on my mind, both connected to the date none of us will ever forget— September 11, 2001. In the days that followed the attacks, President George W. Bush addressed those who were working at “Ground Zero” using a megaphone that was heard not only in southern Manhattan but around the world. Weeks later, at a baseball game at Yankee Stadium, President Bush’s ceremonial first pitch was a reminder that despite whatever challenge or calamity we face as a nation, we persevere and find hope

in our future.

The city of New York has witnessed presidential history ever since it was the residence of our first president, George Washington. Every president to follow has engaged with the city’s people, and many hosted world leaders on this most international of American stages—the great city of New York.

We close this issue with a crossword puzzle, the first to be published in the Quarterly . Such puzzles have been a favorite New York pastime for decades, and it seemed fitting for this issue to share in the tradition with a White House and New York challenge. I hope you enjoy it and master the puzzle!

Stewart McLaurin pauses at one of the many “I Heart New York” signs at La Guardia Airport that welcome travelers to the city.

President George W. Bush is seen in two iconic New York photographs following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001:

Right: As rescue efforts continue in the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York, President Bush stands atop a burned fire truck with firefighter Bob Beckwith. Using a bullhorn he addresses the nation and thanks rescue workers, saying “I can hear you . . . the world hears you,” September 14, 2001.

Below: Wearing a jacket given to him by the Fire Department of the City of New York, President Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch of Game 3 of the World Series in Yankee Stadium, October 30, 2001.