Preservationists Bill Damaschke and John McIlwee, owners and restorers of the former Rancho Mirage mansion of President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford, hosted an intimate cocktail party for the White House Historical Association. Founded in 1961 by First Lady Jackie Kennedy, the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization is dedicated to protecting, preserving and making the White House’s rich history accessible to the public.
The Association’s Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Rhett Wilson, outlined the Association’s important education programs and introduced “The People’s House: A White House Experience,” an interactive visitor center set to open this fall next to the White House, providing unprecedented virtual access to spaces within the White House never before open to the public.
Jason Forney, Brady Tolbert, Ryan Shaw.
Rendering of “The People’s House: A White House Experience.”
Rhett Wilson, executive vice president and chief development officer for the White House Historical Association, will address the crowd.
Julian Jordan, Damaschke, Julia Michaels, John McIlwee.
Katharine Mailer and Trina Turk.
Special Agent Keith McAtee, who served as head of President Ford’s Secret Service, and guests in the desert.
Hosted by John McIlwee and Bill Damaschke.
