Donna Hayashi Smith, the new White House curator, is the first Asian American to hold the post. The announcement of her appointment coincided with the start of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Originally from Wahiawa, Hawaii, Hayashi Smith joined the White House curator’s office in 1995 and has worked under five presidents. She had been in an acting capacity since last year following the retirement of her predecessor, Lydia Tederick. In her role, Hayashi Smith will be responsible for overseeing the care and preservation of thousands of artifacts in the White House collection, including presidential portraits and furniture.
Hayashi Smith led the curator’s office through a process in 2022 to ensure that the White House retains its national recognition as an accredited museum. First lady Jill Biden praised Hayashi Smith for her years of service under multiple presidential administrations and expressed excitement about working with her to maintain and preserve the White House’s rich history. Hayashi Smith’s appointment marks a significant milestone as the first Asian American curator at the White House, highlighting the growing diversity and representation within the administration.
Despite the recent announcement of Hayashi Smith’s appointment, the White House has denied claims of a secret plot to oust Karine Jean-Pierre, as President Biden faces more bad news. The controversy surrounding Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, has raised questions about the administration’s internal dynamics and potential power struggles. However, the focus remains on Hayashi Smith and her historic role as the new curator, taking on the responsibility of caring for and preserving the White House’s vast collection of artifacts.
As curator, Hayashi Smith will be tasked with cataloguing and overseeing the preservation of various items in the White House collection, from presidential portraits to furniture and other historical pieces. Her extensive experience and background in the curator’s office make her well-equipped to handle the responsibilities of the role. Hayashi Smith’s leadership during the process in 2022 to maintain the White House’s accreditation as a museum demonstrates her commitment to preserving the institution’s historical legacy and significance.
Hayashi Smith’s appointment as the first Asian American White House curator reflects a significant step towards greater diversity and representation within the administration. Her tenure under five different presidents underscores her expertise and dedication to the preservation of the White House’s “living history.” The announcement of her appointment at the beginning of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month further emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds in positions of leadership and influence.
Overall, the appointment of Donna Hayashi Smith as the new White House curator marks a historic moment in the institution’s history, highlighting the increasing diversity and representation within the administration. Hayashi Smith’s role in overseeing the care and preservation of the White House collection underscores her commitment to maintaining the institution’s historical legacy and significance. As she assumes her new position, Hayashi Smith’s leadership and expertise will be crucial in ensuring that the White House continues to be recognized nationally as an accredited museum, preserving its rich history for generations to come.
