Strange Inheritance Season 2 Episode 14 Piece of the White House

The show Strange Inheritance is a hit reality TV series that delves deep into the world of strange and unique inheritances that people across the United States have received. The second season of the series has been a great success and has captured the viewers' imagination with its intriguing and diverse lot of stories. In episode 14 of season 2, titled Piece of the White House, we see yet another exciting tale of a remarkable inheritance.

The episode opens with the host of the show, Jamie Colby, introducing us to the protagonist of this story, Stewart McLaurin, a long-time Washington D.C. native and presidential historian. We learn that Stewart's family has been in possession of a unique and priceless artifact, which has been passed down as an inheritance for generations.

Stewart takes Jamie to his family's house, where he reveals the artifact that he has inherited: a piece of the original White House, which was burned down by the British during the War of 1812. The piece of the White House in question is a carved wooden finial that once adorned the roof of the building. Stewart's great-great-grandfather, William Seaton, was a prominent journalist and an associate of President James Madison, who gifted him this priceless piece of history in 1815.

As we learn more about the history of the finial, we discover that it has a rich and fascinating backstory. The wooden carving was completed by renowned Welsh woodcarver William Evans, who had also worked on other famous landmarks such as the Capitol building and the Supreme Court. The finial was placed on top of the White House in 1801, during President Thomas Jefferson's administration.

Stewart explains to Jamie that his family has always had a deep connection to the White House, with his ancestors having played a critical role in the building's early history. William Seaton, Stewart's great-great-grandfather, was a prominent journalist and editor of the National Intelligencer newspaper, which was the official mouthpiece of the U.S. government. Seaton was instrumental in building up support for President James Madison during the War of 1812 and was one of the key figures in the early development of Washington D.C. as the capital of the United States.

Stewart also tells Jamie about some of the other notable figures who have owned the finial over the years, including U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Howard Taft, who served as President from 1909 to 1913, and renowned newspaper publisher and philanthropist Katharine Graham, who owned the finial in the 1970s.

As the episode progresses, we learn that Stewart has decided to sell the finial, as he believes that it's time for him to pass on this fascinating piece of history to someone who will appreciate it as much as his family has. However, Stewart is aware that selling such a unique and priceless artifact will not be an easy task, and that he will need to get it evaluated by experts and find the right buyer.

We see Stewart speaking to various appraisers and auction house experts, who give him different estimates of the finial's value, ranging from $50,000 to $1 million. We also see Stewart putting the finial up for auction at a prestigious auction house in New York City, where it quickly generates interest from several prominent buyers.

As the episode draws to a close, we see Stewart nervously awaiting the outcome of the auction. We learn that the finial was eventually sold for a staggering $300,000, which is a significant profit for Stewart and his family. Stewart is emotional as he hands over the piece of the White House to its new owner, who plans to display it in a museum for the public to appreciate.

Overall, this episode of Strange Inheritance is a fascinating exploration of a unique and priceless artifact that has been passed down through generations of one family. It's a thrilling story of history, heritage, and the love that people have for their family's treasures. The story highlights the importance of preserving and celebrating our nation's history and the role that private collectors and museums play in keeping these treasures alive for future generations.