Matthew Costello

Matthew Costello, Chief Education Officer at the White House Historical Association, shares fascinating insights into what it's really like to move into the White House. He discusses the historical evolution of this iconic residence and the logistical challenges new presidents face during the transition. Costello highlights the roles of the chief usher and the significance of planning for a smooth move, while also reflecting on the unique blend of privilege and confinement experienced by those who live there. It's a captivating look at a rarely discussed aspect of American history.

Lindsay Chervinsky and Matthew Costello, presidential historians and co-editors of Mourning the Presidents: Loss and Legacy in American Culture, explore the deaths and legacies of presidents. They discuss the constancy of mourning, the role of the president beyond the Oval Office, and how their deaths reveal divisions in American society. They also explore the evolution of presidential mourning, the impact of past presidents on race, and the importance of reading, history, and memory in a time of political polarization.