A Toast to White House History

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 & Place
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.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet the Frederick J. Ryan before or after the talk.

Tickets are available both with and without a copy of the book.

Presented by Bluepoint Hospitality and Flying Cloud Booksellers, in partnership with White House Historical Society.

To complete the evening, we invite you to enjoy a special collaborative dinner inspired by the themes of the evening at Bas Rouge, offered separately following the talk. Reservations for the dinner are limited and must be booked independently through OpenTable (linked to Experience).

Event details:

Doors Open 4:45 PM

5:30 PM Author Talk with Fred Ryan, moderated by Anita McBride

6:10 PM Q & A

6:30 PM personalization of books

“A comprehensive story of the American presidents through the grapes and glasses they drank from.”
— New York Times Book Review, New & Noteworthy

About the Author

Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., the former publisher and CEO of the Washington Post, has been an aficionado of both wine and White House history for most of his life. Growing up in Italy and California, he developed an early interest in wine and its production and has extensively studied winemaking and its history in the years since. Ryan’s fascination with wine parallels his lifelong interest in the American presidency. He served in a senior staff position in the Ronald Reagan White House and as Reagan’s post-presidential chief of staff. Ryan currently serves as chairman of the White House Historical Association’s White House Endowment and Acquisition Trust, the Board of Trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, and the Wine Committee of the Metropolitan Club of Washington, D.C.

About the Moderator

Anita McBride is an internationally recognized expert on first ladies and the operations of the White House. She directs the Legacies of America's First Ladies Initiative at American University's Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies in the School of Public Affairs. Her White House experience spans two decades and three Administrations, including as Assistant to President George W. Bush and Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush. She is the co-author of three books on the evolving role of the first lady and their historical influence on the American presidency, including a first-of-its-kind college textbook and an illustrated children's book. She is a frequent speaker and media commentator on White House history and presidential transitions. She is actively engaged in philanthropic efforts nationally and globally, supporting women's leadership, the arts, cultural heritage, historic preservation, veterans' wellness, and civic education.