This trunk was owned by President James Monroe. The trunk is outfitted with compartments to hold flatware as well as large silver pieces. President Monroe's name is engraved on the brass plate. Bates Littlehales photographed the trunk for the National Geographic Service in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.

This photograph shows the specially designed trunks used to store silver at the White House until a pantry was constructed in 1909 for that purpose. President Andrew Jackson purchased the 464-piece silver service from the estates of Baron de Tuyll, the Russian minister to the United States, in 1833. 130 pieces from the service survive.