The White House has announced the appointment of Donna Hayashi Smith as the new curator, making her the first Asian American to hold this prestigious position. This announcement coincides with the beginning of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Originally hailing from Wahiawa, Hawaii, Hayashi Smith has an extensive background in the White House curator's office, having joined in 1995. She has had the honor of serving under five different presidents and has been in an acting capacity since the retirement of her predecessor, Lydia Tederick.
As the curator, Hayashi Smith will be responsible for overseeing the preservation and cataloging of thousands of artifacts within the White House collection. This includes a wide range of items, from presidential portraits to historical furniture and more.
In 2022, Hayashi Smith led the curator's office in a process to ensure that the White House maintains its national recognition as an accredited museum, highlighting her commitment to upholding the institution's standards of excellence.
First Lady Jill Biden commended Hayashi Smith's extensive service across multiple presidential administrations and expressed her anticipation of collaborating with her to safeguard the White House's rich history and heritage.
