White House Collection

This portrait of Benjamin Franklin by artist Benjamin Wilson was displayed in the Roosevelt Room during the John F. Kennedy administration. Wilson's portrait is the earliest of the three portraits of Franklin in the White House Collection. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Franklin commissioned the portrait in 1758 while he was in London to argue for the right to tax the Penn family estate. Until the American Revolution, the painting hung in Franklin's Philadelphia home. However, while Franklin was in France, the home was occupied by British troops and one of them took the portrait when they left. It was returned to the United States via President Theodore Roosevelt by Albert Henry, the fourth Earl Grey in 1906, the bicentennial of Franklin's birth. In addition to being a painter, Wilson was an inventor who worked with electricity, much as Franklin did. This may account for the lightning bolt visible in the background of the portrait.

This dinner plate is from the state dinner service selected by President Theodore Roosevelt. The service was created by the English firm Wedgwood in 1903 and features a delicate gilt pattern known as "Ulunda" and the Great Seal of the United States. The plate was photographed by Bates Littlehales in April 1962.

This dinner plate is from the state dinner service selected by President Theodore Roosevelt. The service was created by the English firm Wedgwood in 1903 and features a delicate gilt pattern known as "Ulunda" and the Great Seal of the United States. The plate was photographed by Bates Littlehales in April 1962.

This dinner plate is from the state dinner service selected by President Theodore Roosevelt. The service was created by the English firm Wedgwood in 1903 and features a delicate gilt pattern known as "Ulunda" and the Great Seal of the United States. The plate was photographed by Bates Littlehales in April 1962.

This dinner plate is from the state dinner service selected by President Theodore Roosevelt. The service was created by the English firm Wedgwood in 1903 and features a delicate gilt pattern known as "Ulunda" and the Great Seal of the United States. The plate was photographed by Bates Littlehales in April 1962.

This photograph by Bates Littlehales shows the fireplace in the Green Room during the John F. Kennedy administration. At the center of the mantelpiece is the clock by Denière et Matelin depicting the Carthaginian military commander Hannibal. Flanking the ends are bronze vases.

This photograph by Bates Littlehales shows the fireplace in the Green Room during the John F. Kennedy administration. At the center of the mantelpiece is the clock by Denière et Matelin depicting the Carthaginian military commander Hannibal. Flanking the ends are bronze vases.

This photograph by Bates Littlehales shows a portrait of President Andrew Jackson hanging in the Lincoln Bedroom in April 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The portrait of Jackson was painted by Miner Kilbourne Kellogg circa 1840. Kellogg also painted portraits of presidents James K. Polk and Martin Van Buren. The two chairs were also likely used by President Lincoln in this room, then known as the Cabinet Room.

This photograph by Bates Littlehales shows a portrait of President Andrew Jackson hanging in the Lincoln Bedroom in April 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The portrait of Jackson was painted by Miner Kilbourne Kellogg circa 1840. Kellogg also painted portraits of presidents James K. Polk and Martin Van Buren. The two chairs were also likely used by President Lincoln in this room, then known as the Cabinet Room.

This oil on canvas portrait of President George Washington was painted by Gilbert Stuart around 1805, six years after the President’s death. This item was a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Payson in memory of Pvt. Daniel Carroll Payson. Washington served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as president from April 30, 1789 until March 4, 1797. The portrait was displayed in the Cabinet Room during the John F. Kennedy administration. Bates Littlehales photographed the portrait in May 1962 in the frame that housed the portrait at the time.

This photograph by Bates Littlehales shows a portrait of President Andrew Jackson hanging in the Lincoln Bedroom in April 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The portrait of Jackson was painted by Miner Kilbourne Kellogg circa 1840. Kellogg also painted portraits of presidents James K. Polk and Martin Van Buren. The two chairs were also likely used by President Lincoln in this room, then known as the Cabinet Room.

This oil on canvas portrait of President George Washington was painted by Gilbert Stuart around 1805, six years after the President’s death. This item was a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Payson in memory of Pvt. Daniel Carroll Payson. Washington served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as president from April 30, 1789 until March 4, 1797. The portrait was displayed in the Cabinet Room during the John F. Kennedy administration. Bates Littlehales photographed the portrait in May 1962 in the frame that housed the portrait at the time.

This photograph by Bates Littlehales shows a portrait of President Andrew Jackson hanging in the Lincoln Bedroom in April 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The portrait of Jackson was painted by Miner Kilbourne Kellogg circa 1840. Kellogg also painted portraits of presidents James K. Polk and Martin Van Buren. The two chairs were also likely used by President Lincoln in this room, then known as the Cabinet Room.

This oil on canvas portrait of President George Washington was painted by Gilbert Stuart around 1805, six years after the President’s death. This item was a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Payson in memory of Pvt. Daniel Carroll Payson. Washington served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as president from April 30, 1789 until March 4, 1797. The portrait was displayed in the Cabinet Room during the John F. Kennedy administration. Bates Littlehales photographed the portrait in May 1962 in the frame that housed the portrait at the time.

This photograph by Bates Littlehales shows a selection of the vermeil pieces in the White House Collection. The vermeil was donated by Margaret Thompson Biddle and is predominantly English and French with some pieces dating from as early as the Renaissance. The pieces were part of a donation of over 1,500 silver gilt, or vermeil, objects made to the White House in 1956 by Thompson Biddle, a close friend of First Lady Mamie Eisenhower.

This portrait of Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of treasury, was painted by John Trumbull and was completed circa 1805. Trumbull, who had served as personal aide to Gen. George Washington during the Revolutionary War, painted numerous portraits which are in the White House Collection. Four of his paintings adorn the walls of the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. Hamilton was an influential figure in the early years of the United States and died following a famous duel with Vice President Aaron Burr. This portrait was photographed by Bates Littlehales in 1962 and captures the frame that housed the painting around the John F. Kennedy administration.

This dinner plate is from the state service selected by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Eisenhower service was created by Castleton China, Inc. of New Castle, Pennsylvania in 1955. The plate features a raised-medallion border in coin gold and the presidential arms, surrounded by stars representing the 48 states. Alaska and Hawaii did not join the Union until 1959. This plate was photographed by Bates Littlehales in 1962.

This portrait of Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of treasury, was painted by John Trumbull and was completed circa 1805. Trumbull, who had served as personal aide to Gen. George Washington during the Revolutionary War, painted numerous portraits which are in the White House Collection. Four of his paintings adorn the walls of the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. Hamilton was an influential figure in the early years of the United States and died following a famous duel with Vice President Aaron Burr. This portrait was photographed by Bates Littlehales in 1962 and captures the frame that housed the painting around the John F. Kennedy administration.

This dinner plate is from the state service selected by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Eisenhower service was created by Castleton China, Inc. of New Castle, Pennsylvania in 1955. The plate features a raised-medallion border in coin gold and the presidential arms, surrounded by stars representing the 48 states. Alaska and Hawaii did not join the Union until 1959. This plate was photographed by Bates Littlehales in 1962.

This portrait of Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of treasury, was painted by John Trumbull and was completed circa 1805. Trumbull, who had served as personal aide to Gen. George Washington during the Revolutionary War, painted numerous portraits which are in the White House Collection. Four of his paintings adorn the walls of the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. Hamilton was an influential figure in the early years of the United States and died following a famous duel with Vice President Aaron Burr. This portrait was photographed by Bates Littlehales in 1962 and captures the frame that housed the painting around the John F. Kennedy administration.

This dinner plate is from the state service selected by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Eisenhower service was created by Castleton China, Inc. of New Castle, Pennsylvania in 1955. The plate features a raised-medallion border in coin gold and the presidential arms, surrounded by stars representing the 48 states. Alaska and Hawaii did not join the Union until 1959. This plate was photographed by Bates Littlehales in 1962.

This photograph by Bates Littlehales shows a selection of the vermeil pieces in the White House Collection. The vermeil was donated by Margaret Thompson Biddle and is predominantly English and French with some pieces dating from as early as the Renaissance. The pieces were part of a donation of over 1,500 silver gilt, or vermeil, objects made to the White House in 1956 by Thompson Biddle, a close friend of First Lady Mamie Eisenhower.

This photograph by Bates Littlehales shows a selection of the vermeil pieces in the White House Collection. The vermeil was donated by Margaret Thompson Biddle and is predominantly English and French with some pieces dating from as early as the Renaissance. The pieces were part of a donation of over 1,500 silver gilt, or vermeil, objects made to the White House in 1956 by Thompson Biddle, a close friend of First Lady Mamie Eisenhower.

This portrait of Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of treasury, was painted by John Trumbull and was completed circa 1805. Trumbull, who had served as personal aide to Gen. George Washington during the Revolutionary War, painted numerous portraits which are in the White House Collection. Four of his paintings adorn the walls of the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. Hamilton was an influential figure in the early years of the United States and died following a famous duel with Vice President Aaron Burr. This portrait was photographed by Bates Littlehales in 1962 and captures the frame that housed the painting around the John F. Kennedy administration.

This photograph by Bates Littlehales shows a selection of the vermeil pieces in the White House Collection. The vermeil was donated by Margaret Thompson Biddle and is predominantly English and French with some pieces dating from as early as the Renaissance. The pieces were part of a donation of over 1,500 silver gilt, or vermeil, objects made to the White House in 1956 by Thompson Biddle, a close friend of First Lady Mamie Eisenhower.