Really cool little event on the National Mall April 14-20:

The Historic Vehicle Association (HVA), which is dedicated to creating National Historic Landmark status for significant transportation vehicles, selected the first White House automobile, a 1909 White Steamer, which was used by President William Howard Taft, for it’s induction into the Historic Vehicles register.

The Taft car was chosen based upon its significance as documented in my book on Taft, William Howard Taft and the First Motoring Presidency, 1909-1913.

The HVA ran a fabulous celebration of the car during from April 14-20 by placing the vehicle in a “jewel box” on the National Mall in Washington, DC. See here for more on the event on my blog page: First Presidential Auto on Display on National Mall. 

Events included a ceremony on the Mall, photo ops on the Mall and at National’s Park with the Taft mascot of the Washington Nationals, and a luncheon at the Willard Hotel, next to the White House at which I was a featured speaker.

To further document the vehicle and it’s importance the HVA produced the below video on why “This Car Matters”

From a government perspective, this is a story about the impact of public policy and the rhetorical powers of the president, both negative (demoting something) and positive (promoting something).

Enjoy and let me know what  you think!

Bromley