GARDENS AND GROUNDS OF THE WHITE HOUSE

Jacqueline Kennedy Garden • Photo Public Domain – National Parks Service

PROGRAM: Gardens and Grounds of the White House

While 2024 may be an election year, the true work of gardening is apolitical—plants have no party affiliation. Our speaker, Michael Lawn, who served as the Gardener Foreman for the White House under five presidents, provided an insider’s view of the daily operations of the White House grounds. Through his engaging slide presentation, he highlighted iconic features such as the Olmstead Vista, the Rose Garden, and the South Lawn, among others, while also sharing memorable moments and significant landscaping achievements.
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Though Michael supervised the creation of pathways that presidents walked, he offered a behind-the-scenes look at who truly runs the White House grounds and gardens. His insights provided a fascinating glimpse into the careful management and beauty of one of the nation’s most iconic landscapes.