• 2021 Red Room Holiday Decorations, Biden Administratiion
    David Wiegold
    winter holidays
    mantels
    decorations
    State Floor
    Red Room
    This photograph of holiday decorations in the Red Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. Small trumpets hang from ribbons draped over the garland upon the fireplace. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance. Decorations in the Red Room honored the "Gift of the Performing Arts" and featured musical instruments, ballet slippers, and a pair of cranberry trees with a decorative trumpet base.
  • President Kennedy Dedicates State Dining Room Mantle
    Cecil Stoughton
    restoration
    refurbishment
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    mantels
    This photograph was taken by Cecil Stoughton on July 2, 1962, during the dedication ceremony for a new marble mantle in the State Dining Room. The mantel was a joint gift of the architecture firm Steinmann, Cain and White and the Marble Industry Board of New York. Pictured between President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in front of the mantel is Alice Roosevelt Longworth, eldest daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. The mantel was a modified reproduction of an earlier mantel created by McKim, Mead & White for President Roosevelt's White House renovations in 1902.
  • Japanese Prime Minister Bids President Kennedy Farewell
    Abbie Rowe
    mantels
    Yellow Oval Room
    Head of State
    Second Floor
    In this photograph taken by Abbie Rowe, President John F. Kennedy stands in front of the Yellow Oval Room mantelpiece with Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda of Japan on June 23, 1961. Placed in front of the mantel is a scale mock-up of the green and white mantelpiece brought to the attention of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy by Jayne Wrightsman and purchased for the Yellow Oval Room by Mr. and Mrs. John Loeb. After consideration, the mantel was deemed too small for the room and it was eventually incorporated into the redecoration of the Family Dining Room on the State Floor.
  • Newly Installed Mantel in the State Dining Room
    Abbie Rowe
    restoration
    mantels
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    refurbishment
    This photograph of the newly-installed mantel in the State Dining Room was taken by Abbie Rowe on July 2, 1962. The mantel was a gift of both the architecture firm Steinmann, Cain & White and the Marble Industry Board of New York. The new mantel was installed as part of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration program. The State Dining Room is located on the State Floor of the White House. The room is often the setting for state or official dinners and is the second largest room in the White House.
  • Curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce Inspects New Marble Mantel
    Robert L. Knudsen
    staff
    restoration
    mantels
    construction & maintenance
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    Residence staff
    refurbishment
    In this photograph taken by Robert L. Knudsen on June 21, 1962, White House curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce inspects the new marble mantel before it was installed in the State Dining Room. The mantel was a joint gift of the architecture firm Steinmann, Cain and White, and the Marble Industry Board of New York. The new mantel was installed as part of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration program. The State Dining Room is located on the State Floor of the White House. The room is often the setting for State or Official Dinners and is the second largest room in the White House.
  • Installation of a New Marble Mantel in the State Dining Room
    Robert L. Knudsen
    restoration
    mantels
    construction & maintenance
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    refurbishment
    This photo of the installation of a new marble mantel in the State Dining Room was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on June 25, 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The mantel was a joint gift of the architecture firm Steinmann, Cain and White, and the Marble Industry Board of New York. The new mantel was installed as part of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration program.
  • Installation of a New Marble Mantel in the State Dining Room
    Robert L. Knudsen
    restoration
    mantels
    construction & maintenance
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    refurbishment
    This photo of the installation of a new marble mantel in the State Dining Room was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on June 25, 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The mantel was a joint gift of the architecture firm Steinmann, Cain and White, and the Marble Industry Board of New York. The new mantel was installed as part of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration program.
  • Installation of a New Marble Mantel in the State Dining Room
    Robert L. Knudsen
    staff
    restoration
    mantels
    construction & maintenance
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    Residence staff
    refurbishment
    This photo of the installation of a new marble mantel in the State Dining Room was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on June 25, 1962. In the photo, two men are installing the mantel as White House Matre d'Hotel John W. Ficklin and two unidentified White House residence staff members survey the work. The new mantel was installed as part of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration program and was a joint gift of the architecture firm Steinmann, Cain and White and the Marble Industry Board of New York. The State Dining Room is located on the State Floor of the White House. The room is often the setting for State or Official Dinners and is the second largest room in the White House.
  • White House Usher Preston Bruce in the East Room
    Unknown
    staff
    State Floor
    East Room
    Residence staff
    mantels
    restoration
    refurbishment
    This photograph is of a White House usher Preston Bruce standing near a mantel in the East Room of the White House. As part of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration of White House rooms, the mantels were repainted to resemble white marble. The image was taken on August 14, 1961 by a National Geographic staff photographer for the White Historical Association's 1962 publication of "The White House: A Historic Guide". The publication serves as a companion book for tours of the White House, providing history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture.
  • Painted Mantels in the East Room, Kennedy Administration
    Robert L. Knudsen
    restoration
    mantels
    State Floor
    East Room
    refurbishment
    The photograph of the East Room was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on May 10, 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. It shows the fireplace mantels which were painted to resemble marble as part of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's redecoration. The room is the largest room in the White House and is often used as a ceremonial space. The room is painted white and has 18th-century French and English-inspired ornate walls and ceiling. To make way for temporary furniture for ceremonies and holiday decorations, the East Room is usually sparsely furnished.
  • Lynda and Lucinda Robb in Front of Decorated White House Fireplace
    Michael Geissinger
    mantels
    holiday
    First Family
    Christmas
    Yellow Oval Room
    Second Floor
    This photograph is of Lynda Bird Johnson Robb and her infant daughter Lucinda Robb in front of the Yellow Oval Room fireplace decorated with Christmas stockings. The photograph was part of a leather-bound album of 22 photos of President Johnson and family at the White House. The album was a gift from President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Yellow Oval Room is located on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion.
  • 2020 Holiday Decorations in the China Room
    Matthew D’Agostino
    winter holidays
    painting
    mantels
    decorations
    Ground Floor
    China Room
    This photograph of holiday decorations on display in the China Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2020 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. Stockings are hung on the mantel; the 1892 painting "The Farm Landing" by Edward Mitchell Bannister is displayed above. The holiday theme for 2020 was “America the Beautiful,” which celebrated the natural wonders of the American landscape. Selected by First Lady Melania Trump, the White House decorations also paid tribute to the courage and resilience of frontline workers, members of the military, and other American heroes. In 2020, American frontline and essential workers faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 2020 Holiday Decorations in the China Room
    Matthew D’Agostino
    winter holidays
    painting
    decorations
    Ground Floor
    China Room
    mantels
    This photograph of holiday decorations on display in the China Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2020 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. Stockings are hung on the mantel; the 1892 painting "The Farm Landing" by Edward Mitchell Bannister is displayed above. The holiday theme for 2020 was “America the Beautiful,” which celebrated the natural wonders of the American landscape. Selected by First Lady Melania Trump, the White House decorations also paid tribute to the courage and resilience of frontline workers, members of the military, and other American heroes. In 2020, American frontline and essential workers faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 2020 Holiday Decorations in the China Room
    Matthew D’Agostino
    winter holidays
    painting
    mantels
    decorations
    Ground Floor
    China Room
    This photograph of holiday decorations on display in the China Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2020 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. Stockings are hung on the mantel; the 1892 painting "The Farm Landing" by Edward Mitchell Bannister is displayed above. The holiday theme for 2020 was “America the Beautiful,” which celebrated the natural wonders of the American landscape. Selected by First Lady Melania Trump, the White House decorations also paid tribute to the courage and resilience of frontline workers, members of the military, and other American heroes. In 2020, American frontline and essential workers faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Blue Room, Barack Obama Administration
    Matthew D'Agostino
    seats
    furntiure
    State Visit
    State Floor
    Blue Room
    mantels
    This photograph of the mantel and surrounding furniture in the Blue Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 10, 2014 during the Barack Obama administration. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The oval-shaped parlor has been known as the Blue Room since Martin Van Buren’s 1837 redecoration. The room is often used for receptions, photo opportunities, and during the holiday season is home to the official White House Christmas Tree. This photograph was taken during a press preview held that day to showcase the decor and menu ahead of a State Dinner hosted by President Obama for President François Hollande of the French Republic, including a look at the French influences in the White House rooms and fine and decorative arts in the White House Collection. The Blue Room traditionally has several pieces from the 53-piece furniture suite crafted by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé of Paris and purchased during the James Monroe administration.
  • Adams's Benediction, White House Collection
    Unknown
    mantel
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    furnishings
    White House Collection
    This photograph by White House Photographer Michael Geissinger is of President John Adams' blessing, which is engraved in the mantel in the State Dining Room. The benediction reads, “I Pray Heaven To Bestow The Best Of Blessings On This House And All that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof.” The words are taken from a letter written to First Lady Abigail Adams from the President's House by President Adams in 1800 and were engraved in a mantel in 1945 during the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt. During the Harry S. Truman renovation of 1948 to 1952, the mantel was removed. A replica, seen here, was installed in1962. This photograph was taken in 1968, during the Lyndon B. Johnson Administration.
  • Mantel, State Dining Room, White House Collection
    Bruce White
    mantels
    furnishings
    White House Collection
    State Dining Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of the mantel in the State Dining Room was taken by Bruce White in 2010. The mantel is engraved with the blessing written by John Adams, “I Pray Heaven To Bestow The Best Of Blessings On This House And All that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof.” The words are taken from a letter written by Adams in 1800 and were engraved on the mantel in 1945 during the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt. President Truman removed the 1902 mantel and added a green marble mantel as part of the renovation of the White House (1948-1952). This photograph is of the replica of the 1902 mantel returned to the State Dining Room during the Kennedy Restoration in 1961 with the Adams blessing and the carved bison heads added during the administration of Theodore Roosevelt.
  • Clock and Barometer from U.S.S. Williamsburg, Cabinet Room, White House Collection
    Unknown
    mantels
    clocks
    White House Collection
    Cabinet Room
    furnishings
    This dual-faced clock with timepiece and barometer was photographed on the mantel of the Cabinet Room in 1960. It was originally from the U.S.S. Williamsburg, the Presidential yacht during the Truman administration. This photograph was taken by George Mobley of the National Geographic Service.
  • Overmantel Glass with Painting, White House Collection
    Unknown
    mirrors
    mantels
    White House Collection
    furnishings
    This overmantel glass and painting is framed in gilded red pine. It was given by Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh on behalf of her father, King George VI of Great Britain, upon completion of the Truman Renovation. It was placed in the State Dining Room, and was accompanied by a musical clock gifted by President Vincent Auriol of France, which was placed in the Red Room.
  • Adams's Benediction on State Dining Room Mantel, White House Collection
    Unknown
    mantels
    furnishings
    White House Collection
    State Dining Room
    State Floor
    This photograph shows John Adams' blessing on the State Dining Room mantel and was taken in 1961 after the Kennedy restoration. The benediction reads, “I Pray Heaven To Bestow The Best Of Blessings On This House And All that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof.” The words are taken from a letter written by Adams in 1800.
  • Mantel Clock, Jackson Administration, White House Collection
    Unknown
    clocks
    White House Collection
    mantels
    furnishings
    This black marble mantel clock was originally purchased for the waiting room in 1833 during the Andrew Jackson administration, but it was moved to President Abraham Lincoln's office. When the president's offices were moved to the West Wing in 1902, this room was converted to a bedroom, known as the Lincoln Bedroom. This photograph shows the clock resting on the mantelpiece of the Lincoln Bedroom. A portrait of Andrew Jackson is reflected in the mirror.
  • Fireplace in the Old Family Dining Room
    George F. Mobley
    Bates Littlehales
    mantel
    gilded bronze
    clock
    Family Dining Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of the fireplace in the Old Family Dining Room was taken in April 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. Jean-Baptiste Dubuc's gilded bronze clock featuring George Washington is displayed on the mantel. From around 1825 to 1962, presidents and their families traditionally dined in the Old Family Dining Room. In 1962, with the addition of a new private family dining room on the Second Floor of the White House, the room was repurposed for small official dinners, working lunches, and also serves as a staging area for state dinners. Located on the State Floor of the White House, the room features architectural details such as elegant plaster work and vaulted ceilings.
  • Fireplace in the Old Family Dining Room
    George F. Mobley
    Bates Littlehales
    mantel
    gilded bronze
    clock
    Family Dining Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of the fireplace in the Old Family Dining Room was taken in April 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. Jean-Baptiste Dubuc's gilded bronze clock featuring George Washington is displayed on the mantel. From around 1825 to 1962, presidents and their families traditionally dined in the Old Family Dining Room. In 1962, with the addition of a new private family dining room on the Second Floor of the White House, the room was repurposed for small official dinners, working lunches, and also serves as a staging area for state dinners. Located on the State Floor of the White House, the room features architectural details such as elegant plaster work and vaulted ceilings.
  • Fireplace in the Old Family Dining Room
    George F. Mobley
    Bates Littlehales
    mantel
    gilded bronze
    clock
    Family Dining Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of the fireplace in the Old Family Dining Room was taken in April 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. Jean-Baptiste Dubuc's gilded bronze clock featuring George Washington is displayed on the mantel. From around 1825 to 1962, presidents and their families traditionally dined in the Old Family Dining Room. In 1962, with the addition of a new private family dining room on the Second Floor of the White House, the room was repurposed for small official dinners, working lunches, and also serves as a staging area for state dinners. Located on the State Floor of the White House, the room features architectural details such as elegant plaster work and vaulted ceilings.
  • Green Room Fireplace, Kennedy Administration
    Bates Littlehales
    State Floor
    Green Room
    clock
    mantel
    This photograph of the Green Room fireplace was taken by Bates Littlehales in March 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. Atop the intricately carved mantel is the Denière et Matelin gilded bronze mantel clock depticting the Carthaginian general Hannibal. On either side of the mantel are a pair of bronze-doré vases, likely purchased in 1817 during the James Monroe administration. The Green Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. It was the first room named after the color of its textiles and has Federal style furnishings. The elegant but relaxed parlor is used for small gatherings, interviews, and teas.