White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin Discusses Creation of 45-Year Holiday Tradition with ChemArt CEO Hamilton Davison and Former President of ChemArt Dave Marquis
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The White House Historical Association today released a new episode of The White House 1600 Sessions podcast featuring a conversation and behind-the-scenes tour with Stewart McLaurin, president of the Association, Hamilton Davison, CEO of Beacon Design, a division of the ChemArt Company, and Dave Marquis, former president of ChemArt, about the detailed process of creating the annual Official White House Christmas Ornament, including the newly released Ornament for 2026 commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.
For 45 years, the Association has worked with nationally acclaimed partners at Beacon Design by ChemArt—a veteran and family-founded ornament manufacturer—to create beautifully designed and hand-assembled ornaments honoring presidents, traditions, and events in White House history. Since the tradition began in 1981 during the first term of the Reagan presidency, millions of people have collected and gifted these keepsakes, which have also been featured on White House Christmas trees.
“We are so grateful for the proceeds that come from these Ornaments to fund our mission,” McLaurin said. “These are not just a retail product—these Ornaments tell stories of White House history.”
Davison and Marquis recounted how they oversee this impressive operation, ensuring every annual Ornament is engaging, timeless, and meaningful. The designs are founded on in-depth research and conversations with experts to ensure that the final piece is packed with substantial visual references to presidential history, bringing the Association’s educational mission to life.
Crafting each Ornament is a 17-step process, which includes etching that details the metal before it is plated with delicate 24-karat gold, hand formed, carefully inspected, and placed into gift boxes. The executives spoke with pride about their role in creating the Official White House Christmas Ornament and how it has grown into a beloved, well-known tradition:
“They are heirloom quality,” said Marquis. “The quality of the product, the thought process behind it, the meaning, and the tie to the Association’s mission is something you can take pride in when giving or receiving the annual keepsake. I think that’s part of the reason why it’s so successful and meaningful.”
They also discussed the recently unveiled Official Commemorative Ornament of America’s 250th Anniversary, which serves as the Official 2026 White House Christmas Ornament. It features the Declaration of Independence framed in 24-karat gold and is officially licensed with America250, a nonpartisan movement dedicated to inspiring civic participation and education in the nation.
“Each time you set up your tree and you pull [an Official White House Christmas Ornament] out, it begets a discussion about history, about our background, and there’s a lot of goodness there,” said Davison.
The Official Commemorative Ornament of America’s 250th Anniversary is available for sale at shop.whitehousehistory.org. All proceeds from the sale of these Ornaments go directly to funding the Association’s nonprofit, nonpartisan educational mission to share White House history.
The White House 1600 Sessions podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The full video of this podcast episode is also available on the White House Historical Association’s YouTube channel here.
For more information, please contact [email protected].
The White House 1600 Sessions
The White House Historical Association’s President Stewart McLaurin is the host of The White House 1600 Sessions, the Association’s official audio and video podcast devoted to exploring the history, cultural impact, untold stories, and personal accounts of America’s most iconic residence and highest office.
About the White House Historical Association
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. She sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. In 1961, the nonprofit, nonpartisan White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion’s legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association’s mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the Association has given more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission.
About Beacon Design by ChemArtBeacon Design by ChemArt designs and manufactures custom ornaments and commemorative keepsakes for nonprofits, museums, historical associations, and brands nationwide. All products are proudly made in the USA all on one campus in Lincoln, RI, housing every step from design through manufacturing and fulfillment. Founded in 1976, ChemArt brings five decades of manufacturing expertise, making Beacon Design a trusted partner for high-quality commemorative programs helping associations like the White House Historical Association fulfill fundraising towards its mission.
SOURCE The White House Historical Association
