Easter Egg Roll: Press Album

This photograph, taken on April 20, 1987 by White House photographer Pete Souza, presents an aerial view of the South Grounds during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. During the beloved tradition, first held in 1878, local children and their families descend upon the White House South Grounds for springtime games and festivities. As President Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan were in transit following a vacation to their California ranch, Vice President George H. W. Bush and Second Lady Barbara Bush presided over the 1987 festivities. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph, taken on April 12, 1982 by National Geographic photographer Dave Johnson, shows a busy balloon assembly table at the White House Easter Egg Roll. A White House tradition since 1878, the Easter Egg Roll occurs the Monday following Easter, where children and their families come to the South Lawn for springtime games and activities. In 1982, the White House Easter Egg Roll attracted approximately 30,000 guests -- a record at the time -- and included balloon blowing and kite making stations, an egg hunt, and an egg roll race, as well as appearances by President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, and costumed characters.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Dave Johnson on April 12, 1982, President Ronald Reagan makes an appearance at the 1982 White House Easter Egg Roll. A White House tradition since 1878, the Easter Egg Roll occurs the Monday following Easter, where children and their families come to the South Lawn for springtime games and activities. In 1982, the White House Easter Egg Roll attracted approximately 30,000 guests -- a record at the time -- and included balloon blowing and kite making stations, an egg hunt, and an egg roll race, as well as appearances by President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, and costumed characters.

In this photograph, taken on April 12, 1982 by Dave Johnson, First Lady Nancy Reagan greets guests at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. A White House tradition since 1878, the Easter Egg Roll occurs the Monday following Easter, where children and their families come to the South Lawn for springtime games and activities. In 1982, the White House Easter Egg Roll attracted approximately 30,000 guests -- a record at the time -- and included balloon blowing and kite making stations, an egg hunt, and an egg roll race, as well as appearances by President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, and costumed characters.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Dave Johnson on April 12, 1982, Mrs. Brisby from the 1982 animated film The Secret of NIMH greets crowds gathered at the White House Easter Egg Roll. A White House tradition since 1878, the Easter Egg Roll occurs the Monday following Easter, where children and their families come to the South Lawn for springtime games and activities. In 1982, the White House Easter Egg Roll attracted approximately 30,000 guests -- a record at the time -- and included balloon blowing and kite making stations, an egg hunt, and an egg roll race, as well as appearances by President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, and costumed characters.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Dave Johnson on April 12, 1982, a large inflatable rabbit welcomes contestants to the egg rolling competition that was held as part of the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. While egg rolling games have been part of the White House Easter Egg Roll since it was first held in 1878, egg roll racing was incorporated into the event in 1974 by First Lady Pat Nixon.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Dave Johnson on April 12, 1982, Captain America signs autographs for young attendees of the White House Easter Egg Roll. Traditionally occurring the Monday after Easter, the first White House Egg Roll was held in 1878, when President Rutherford B. Hayes opened the South Lawn to local children who were prohibited from playing egg rolling games on the grounds of the Capitol. In 1982, the White House Easter Egg Roll attracted approximately 30,000 guests -- a record at the time -- and included balloon blowing and kite making stations, an egg hunt, and an egg roll race, as well as appearances by President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, and costumed characters.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Dave Johnson on April 12, 1982, children participate in an Easter egg rolling contest during the White House Easter Egg Roll. While egg rolling games have been part of the White House Easter Egg Roll since it was first held in 1878, egg roll racing was added to the event in 1974 by First Lady Pat Nixon.

In this black and white photograph, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt sits on the steps of the South Portico with children during the White House Easter Egg Roll. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering to enjoy festivities on the South Lawn.

This photograph by Lawrence Jackson shows children rushing through the open gates to hunt for Easter Eggs during the annual Easter Egg Roll.

In this photograph, taken in 1971, Tricia Nixon signs autographs at the annual Easter Egg Roll. Police and Secret Service surround the Nixon's twenty-five year old daughter as she navigates through the eager Easter crowd.

This photograph of President Bill Clinton's family cat Socks during a White House Easter Egg Roll was taken in the 1990s. Socks appears on the White House lawn with several Easter eggs marked with his paw print.

In this photograph taken ca. 1988-1992, two of President George H. W. Bush's grandchildren greet the Easter Bunny during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering on the South Lawn to enjoy the annual festivities.

In this photograph taken in April 1966 by National Geographic Service photographer James P. Blair, children hunt for eggs on the South Lawn. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering on the South Lawn to enjoy the annual festivities.

In this photograph taken during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration, the Easter bunny holds a smiling child with an Easter basket during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering to enjoy festivities on the South Lawn.

This is a photograph taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston showing the crowds gathered on the South Lawn for the White House Easter Egg Roll. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering to enjoy festivities on the South Lawn. Francis Benjamin Johnston was one of the first influential female photographers in America, and she is well known for her intimate photographs of the Roosevelt family, White House, and Washington society.

In this photograph taken by White House Historical Association photographer William Phillips on April 1, 2003, the Easter Bunny waves to children during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering to enjoy festivities on the South Lawn.

This is a photograph of gathered crowds and children playing on the South Lawn during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll in 1921. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering on the South Lawn to enjoy the annual festivities.

In this photograph, taken on April 2, 1923 by Herbert E. French of the National Photo Company, children pose for a picture with Laddie Boy, the Harding family pet Airedale terrier, and his handler during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Laddie Boy "hosted" the Easter Egg Roll that year while the Hardings were away in Georgia. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering to enjoy festivities on the South Lawn. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.

This photograph by James P. Blair of a boy dressed up as the White Rabbit from "Alice in Wonderland" was taken during the White House Easter Egg Roll on April 11, 1966, during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families enjoying festivities on the South Lawn.

This photograph shows President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush looking on at the Easter Egg roll in 2006.

This photograph shows children gathering eggs at the 1889 Easter Egg Roll hosted on the White House South Lawn.

This black and white photograph by Herbert E. French of the National Photo Company was taken on April 18, 1927. In this photograph, First Lady Grace Coolidge introduces her pet raccoon Rebecca to a group of children attending the White House Easter Egg Roll. Though odd by today's standards, domesticated pets like raccoons, badgers, and squirrels were common at the time. The annual Easter Egg Roll dates back to 1878 and the Rutherford B. Hayes administration.

In this photograph entitled Fifty-fifty-something better than rolling Easter eggs, taken on April 17, 1922 by Herbert E. French of the National Photo Company, two children share a soda during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering to enjoy festivities on the South Lawn. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.

In this photograph, taken on April 2, 1923 by Herbert E. French of the National Photo Company, Warren Sonnemann holds up a prize Easter basket during the White House Easter Egg Roll. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering to enjoy festivities on the South Lawn. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.