The Hidden History of Washington, D.C.'s Lafayette Square

If you take a walk on any given day through Lafayette Square, the small public park directly north of the White House, you will find throngs of tourists and school groups snapping selfies, protestors and street artists hoping to be heard, and local politicos and professionals just passing through on their way to work. While many are drawn to Lafayette Square by the iconic grandeur of the White House, few are likely aware of the park’s own fascinating place in history as the setting for some of our nation’s most shocking and dramatic events.

Often referred to as the National Press Club’s in-house historian, former NPC President Gil Klein will share his new book chronicling the rich history of Washington’s Lafayette Square entitled “Trouble in Lafayette Square: Assassination, Protest & Murder at the White House,” at a special NPC Headliners book event on July 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Club’s Bloomberg Room.

This event will feature a presentation by the author, an audience question-and-answer session, and a book signing. Tickets are $5 for National Press Club members and $10 for the general public. When purchasing tickets for this event online, buyers will also have the option of purchasing copies of the book at check-out.

Books will also be available for purchase at the event. Proceeds from book sales will benefit the non-profit affiliate of the Club, the National Press Club Journalism Institute, so we kindly ask that you leave all outside books and memorabilia at home.

About the Author

A longtime journalist and journalism educator in Washington, D.C., Gil Klein worked for 22 years as a national correspondent for Media General News Service, writing for 23 newspapers in the South. After leaving Media General, Klein taught journalism at American University’s Washington Semester Program. He is now working with the University of Oklahoma to create a Washington program for its journalism school.