• Theodore Roosevelt in Rough Rider Uniform
    Siegel, Cooper & Co.
    portrait
    Spanish-American War
    This photograph is of future president Theodore Roosevelt posing in his Rough Rider uniform during the Spanish-American War. It was taken in 1898 by Siegel, Cooper & Co. His uniform was custom-made by the American clothing brand Brooks Brothers. Roosevelt wore a slouch hat, a hat style popular for military uniforms since the Civil War. Rough Rider uniforms also included a loosely tied blue bandana, cartridge belt, long gloves, and boots. This rugged look captured the adventurous, frontier spirit Roosevelt aspired to, and that earned the group the nickname, the “Rough Riders” though officially known as the 1st Volunteer Cavalry. A former governor of New York, Roosevelt became president upon the assassination of William McKinley on September 14, 1901, and served until March 4, 1909.
  • Peace Protocol of the Spanish-American War
    Frances Benjamin Johnston
    Treaty Room
    Second Floor
    Spanish-American War
    In this photograph taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston on August 12, 1898, Secretary of State William R. Day signs the peace protocol between Spain and America, as President William McKinley and others look on. The peace protocol suspended the fighting, but the war officially ended with the Treaty of Paris on December 10 of the that year.
  • War Room, William McKinley Administration
    Frances Benjamin Johnston
    Treaty Room
    Second Floor
    Spanish-American War
    This photograph of the War Room by Frances Benjamin Johnston was taken in 1898 during the William McKinley administration. Telegraph equipment and maps tacked to the walls helped track military movements during the Spanish-American War. Seated at the telegraph desk on the left is Benjamin F. Montgomery.
  • Signing of the Peace Protocol Between Spain and the United States, August 12, 1898, White House Collection
    Théobald Chartran
    signing
    painting
    Treaty Room
    Spanish-American War
    Second Floor
    Cabinet
    White House Collection
    This painting by Théobald Chartran was completed in 1899 and records the signing of the Peace Protocol between Spain and the United States on August 12, 1898, which officially ended the Spanish-American War. Standing at the far left, looking over the signing, is President William McKinley. Seated from left to right are Secretary of State William R. Day and, signing, French Ambassador to the United States Jules Cambon, who represented and acted on Spain's behalf. Standing behind the two men are, from left to right, First Assistant Secretary of State John Bassett Moore, Second Assistant Secretary Alvey A. Adee, Third Assistant Secretary Thomas W. Cridler, and First Secretary of the French Embassy Eugène Thiébaut. Photographs taken of the event show that more men were present in the room than depicted in the painting. The room where the signing took place was the Cabinet Room at the time and overlooks the South Lawn of the White House with the South Portico columns visible through the windows. Today the finished painting hangs in the Treaty Room of the White House. A preliminary sketch of the painting is also in the White House Collection. Chartran was a French painter and illustrator known for historical works.