A Toast to White House History
Fri, Sep 25
|The Ebenezer Theater
Join Frederick J. Ryan, Jr. and Anita McBride for a captivating conversation inspired by the award-winning book, Wine and the White House: A History, exploring the fascinating role wine has played in presidential entertaining and the evolution of White House hospitality.
Time & Location
Sep 25, 2026, 4:45 PM
The Ebenezer Theater, 17 S Washington St, Easton, MD 21601, USA
About the event
Step inside the storied world of White House entertaining for an evening with Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., former publisher and CEO of The Washington Post and author of the award-winning Wine and the White House: A History.
In conversation with Anita McBride, former Chief of Staff to Laura Bush and a leading authority on White House history, Ryan will explore the fascinating role wine has played in presidential hospitality from George Washington to today.
The first book of its kind, Wine and the White House traces the evolution of entertaining at America's most famous residence, revealing how each president approached wine—from ceremonial necessity and Prohibition-era bans to the celebration of American winemaking at modern state dinners. Richly illustrated, the book features historic menus, memorable presidential toasts, notable vintages served at the White House, and stunning photography from the White House glassware collection.