• President Reagan Shares a Laugh with Edward Hickey
    Michael Evans
    staff
    St. Patrick's Day
    This photograph is of President Reagan sharing a laugh with his assistant and director of the White House Military Office, Edward Hickey, at a St. Patrick's Day party in the White House Military Office. The White House Military Office (WHMO) provides military support for White House functions, including food service, presidential transportation, medical support and emergency medical services, and hospitality services.
  • Table Settings for the State Dinner for the Prime Minister of Ireland
    Ricardo Thomas
    staff
    residence staff
    State Visit
    State Floor
    State Dinner
    State Dining Room
    St. Patrick's Day
    This photograph of the table settings for the State Dinner in held honor of Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave of Ireland and his wife, Vera Cosgrave, was taken on March 17, 1976, by Ricardo Thomas. The table settings include the Lyndon B. Johnson State Service, bronze sculptures, and John F. Kennedy glassware. In the background waiters and butlers from the White House staff make preparations.
  • Robert Redford Visits West Wing Staff
    Bruce Dale
    staff
    White House Guests
    West Wing
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This photograph of members of the West Wing staff meeting with actor Robert Redford was taken on March 6, 1975 by Bruce Dale during the administration of Gerald R. Ford. The group met with the actor in an office in the West Wing. President Ford's daughter, Susan Ford, and press secretary Ron Nessen were also on hand for the meeting.
  • Cheney and Rumsfeld Walk Along the West Colonnade
    Bruce Dale
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    staff
    West Wing
    West Colonnade
    South Grounds
    Rose Garden
    Cabinet
    This photograph, taken in March 1975 by Bruce Dale, shows deputy assistant to the president Richard B. Cheney (left) and chief of staff Donald Rumsfeld (right) walking along the West Colonnade. In November 1975, Cheney would replace Rumsfeld as President Gerald R. Ford's chief of staff, while Rumsfeld moved on to the position of secretary of defense. Both Cheney and Rumsfeld held positions during the administrations of President Richard M. Nixon, Ford, and George H. W. Bush. Later, Cheney would serve as Vice President of the United States while Rumsfeld would again serve as secretary of defense for President George W. Bush.
  • Mrs. Ford Leads Media Press Tour Ahead of State Dinner
    Karl Schumacher
    State Dinner
    State Visit
    staff
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    South Grounds
    Rose Garden
    press
    In this photograph by Karl Schumacher, First Lady Betty Ford and social secretary Maria Downs lead members of the press on a preview tour ahead of a State Dinner held in honor of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. The media tour as well as the State Dinner took place on July 7, 1976. The tour included a preview of the temporary tent erected in the Rose Garden for the dinner and the tables and decor set up inside. Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, visited the United States from July 6 to 11 in celebration of the American Bicentennial. During their six day trip, they visited eight American cities, starting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • President Ford Meets Actor Robert Redford
    Bruce Dale
    staff
    White House Guests
    Oval Office
    West Wing
    In this photograph, taken March 6, 1975 by Bruce Dale, actor Robert Redford meets with President Gerald R. Ford and his daughter, Susan, in the Oval Office. Redford starred in popular films including "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969), "The Sting" (1973), and "All the President's Men" (1976). Press secretary Ron Nessen joined the meeting, while chief official White House photographer David Hume Kennerly documented the event.
  • President Ford Discusses Aid to Cambodia with Senators and Advisors
    Bruce Dale
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    staff
    West Wing
    Oval Office
    Congress
    In this photograph, taken March 6, 1975 by Bruce Dale, President Gerald R. Ford meets with a group of United States Senators and advisors to discuss aid to Cambodia. Present at the meeting were Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota; Senator Clifford P. Case of New Jersey; Senator John Sparkman of Alabama; John Ortho Marsh, Jr., counselor to the president; Max Friedersdorf, White House assistant for Congressional Relations; Lt. Gen. Brent Snowcroft, deputy assistant to the president for National Security Affairs; and William T. Kendall, deputy assistant for Legislative Affairs. Earlier, Humphrey had served as Vice President of the United States under President Lyndon B. Johnson. In this photograph, chief official White House photographer David Hume Kennerly can be seen snapping photographs in the background.
  • President Ford Discusses Aid to Cambodia with Senators and Advisors
    Bruce Dale
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    staff
    West Wing
    Oval Office
    Congress
    In this photograph, taken March 6, 1975 by Bruce Dale, President Gerald R. Ford meets with a group of United States Senators and advisors to discuss aid to Cambodia. Present at the meeting were Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota; Senator Clifford P. Case of New Jersey; Senator John Sparkman of Alabama; John Ortho Marsh, Jr., counselor to the president; Max Friedersdorf, White House assistant for Congressional Relations; Lt. Gen. Brent Snowcroft, deputy assistant to the president for National Security Affairs; and William T. Kendall, deputy assistant for Legislative Affairs. Earlier, Humphrey had served as Vice President of the United States under President Lyndon B. Johnson. In this photograph, chief official White House photographer David Hume Kennerly snaps photographs from behind those seated for the meeting.
  • President Ford and Advisors Meet in the Oval Office
    Bruce Dale
    West Wing
    Oval Office
    Cabinet
    staff
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    In this photograph, taken on March 6, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford holds a meeting in the Oval Office with Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller, cabinet members, and advisors. Joining Ford and Rockefeller at the meeting were James T. Lynn, director of the Office of Management and Budget; Secretary of Agriculture Earl L. Butz; Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Caspar W. Weinberger; James M. Cannon III, executive director of the Domestic Council; and deputy assistant Richard B. Cheney. Cheney would go on to serve as Vice President of the United States during the George W. Bush administration.
  • President Reagan Watches News of the "Challenger" Explosion on Television
    Pete Souza
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    staff
    West Wing
    crisis & controversy
    This photograph of President Ronald Reagan watching television coverage of the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion was taken by Pete Souza on January 28, 1986. President Reagan, along with members of this West Wing staff, watched the coverage from the Oval Office Study, which is located near the Oval Office in the West Wing. From left to right are: White House Press Secretary Larry Speakes, W. Dennis Thomas, Jim Kuhn, President Reagan, White House Communications Director Patrick J. Buchanan, and Donald T. Regan. The Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after it took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, killing all seven crew members on board.
  • President Trump and Coronavirus Task Force Speak to the Press
    Shealah Craighead
    press
    crisis & controversy
    West Wing
    Press Briefing Room
    Cabinet
    staff
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This photograph of President Donald Trump taking questions from the press was taken by Shealah Craighead on March 14, 2020. Alongside President Trump were members of the White House Coronavirus Taskforce, including Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, and Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin. This press conference was taken in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Chief Usher at the 2022 Official White House Christmas Tree
    Matthew D'Agostino
    winter holidays
    staff
    Christmas Tree arrival
    Christmas
    Blue Room Christmas Tree
    Residence staff
    This photograph of White House Chief Usher Robert B. Downing at the arrival of the 2022 Official White House Christmas tree was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on November 21, 2022 on the North Drive of the White House. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden welcomed the 18.5-foot Concolor Fir from Auburn, Pennsylvania alongside her grandson, Beau Biden, Jr. The tree was presented by Paul and Pam Shealer, the 2022 National Christmas Tree Association's (NCTA) champion growers, and cultivated at the Shealers' Evergreen Acres Tree Farm in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The tree was delivered by horse-drawn carriage and carefully escorted to the Blue Room, where it remained on display for the holiday season. Since 1966, the Christmas tree displayed in the Blue Room has been presented to the White House following a contest run by the National Christmas Tree Association.
  • Meeting Notes Memorandum on Elvis Presley’s Visit with President Nixon (Full Text)
    Egil Krogh
    documents
    White House Guests
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This memorandum was written to President Richard M. Nixon by Egil “Bud” Krogh, an advisor to the president, on December 21, 1970. The memorandum detailed the meeting between President Nixon and American musician Elvis Presley. According to the memorandum, Nixon spoke with Presley about ways he could reach the nation’s youth through music. From there Presley remarked that The Beatles promoted anti-American themes. Although Nixon was surprised by the commentary, he attempted to maneuver the conversation back to ways Presley could help the administration. Presley noted that he had personally studied drug culture and was accepted by many Americans, including “the hippies.” He also asked President Nixon for a badge from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and the president agreed, although declining to appoint him an honorary agent.
  • Memorandum for President Nixon Regarding Meeting with Elvis Presley (Full Text)
    Unknown
    documents
    White House Guests
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This memorandum was written by members of President Richard M. Nixon’s staff to the president on December 21, 1970. The memorandum outlined a request by American musician Elvis Presley to meet with President Nixon that day, including talking points to discuss with Presley.
  • Memorandum on Elvis Presley’s Letter and Meeting Request (Page Two of Two)
    Dwight L. Chapin
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    documents
    White House Guests
    This memorandum was written by Dwight L. Chapin, deputy assistant to President Richard M. Nixon, to White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman on December 21, 1970. The memorandum detailed a request by American musician Elvis Presley to meet with President Nixon that day. Chapin encouraged Haldeman to persuade Nixon to take the meeting. Haldeman approved the meeting for that afternoon, writing on the second page of the memorandum, “You must be kidding.” This is page two of two.
  • Memorandum on Elvis Presley’s Letter and Meeting Request (Page One of Two)
    Dwight L. Chapin
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    documents
    White House Guests
    This memorandum was written by Dwight L. Chapin, deputy assistant to President Richard M. Nixon, to White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman on December 21, 1970. The memorandum detailed a request by American musician Elvis Presley to meet with President Nixon that day. Chapin encouraged Haldeman to persuade Nixon to take the meeting. Haldeman approved the meeting for that afternoon, writing on the second page of the memorandum, “You must be kidding.” This is page one of two.
  • Memorandum on Reporting of Elvis Presley’s Meeting with President Nixon
    Egil Krogh
    documents
    White House Guests
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This memorandum was written by Egil “Bud” Krogh, an advisor to President Richard M. Nixon, on January 27, 1972. The memorandum was written in reaction to an upcoming article by Jack Anderson of The Washington Post titled, “Presley Gets Narcotics Bureau Badge,” which documented American musician Elvis Presley’s visit to the White House on December 21, 1970. Efforts had been made for two years to conceal the visit at Presley’s request. This memorandum outlined the nature of the meeting due to the publication of the article.
  • Memorandum for President Nixon Regarding Meeting with Elvis Presley (Page Two of Two)
    Unknown
    documents
    White House Guests
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This memorandum was written by members of President Richard M. Nixon’s staff to the president on December 21, 1970. The memorandum outlined a request by American musician Elvis Presley to meet with President Nixon that day, including talking points to discuss with Presley. This is page two of two. To see the full text of this memorandum, please see 1136063 in the Digital Library.
  • Memorandum for President Nixon Regarding Meeting with Elvis Presley (Page One of Two)
    Unknown
    documents
    White House Guests
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This memorandum was written by members of President Richard M. Nixon’s staff to the president on December 21, 1970. The memorandum outlined a request by American musician Elvis Presley to meet with President Nixon that day, including talking points to discuss with Presley. This is page one of two. To see the full text of the memorandum, please see 1136063 in the Digital Library.
  • Meeting Notes Memorandum on Elvis Presley’s Visit with President Nixon (Page One of Two)
    Egil Krogh
    documents
    White House Guests
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This memorandum was written to President Richard M. Nixon by Egil “Bud” Krogh, an advisor to the president, on December 21, 1970. The memorandum detailed the meeting between President Nixon and American musician Elvis Presley. According to the memorandum, Nixon spoke with Presley about ways he could reach the nation’s youth through music. From there Presley remarked that The Beatles promoted anti-American themes. Although Nixon was surprised by the commentary, he attempted to maneuver the conversation back to ways Presley could help the administration. Presley noted that he had personally studied drug culture and was accepted by many Americans, including “the hippies.” He also asked President Nixon for a badge from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and the president agreed, although declining to appoint him an honorary agent. This is page one of two. To see the full text of the memorandum, please see asset 1136062 in the Digital Library.
  • Meeting Notes Memorandum on Elvis Presley’s Visit with President Nixon (Page Two of Two)
    Egil Krogh
    documents
    White House Guests
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This memorandum was written to President Richard M. Nixon by Egil “Bud” Krogh, an advisor to the president, on December 21, 1970. The memorandum detailed the meeting between President Nixon and American musician Elvis Presley. According to the memorandum, Nixon spoke with Presley about ways he could reach the nation’s youth through music. From there Presley remarked that The Beatles promoted anti-American themes. Although Nixon was surprised by the commentary, he attempted to maneuver the conversation back to ways Presley could help the administration. Presley noted that he had personally studied drug culture and was accepted by many Americans, including “the hippies.” He also asked President Nixon for a badge from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and the president agreed, although declining to appoint him an honorary agent. This is page two of two. To see the full text of the memorandum, please see asset 1136062 in the Digital Library.
  • President Nixon Meets with Elvis Presley in the Oval Office
    Oliver F. Atkins
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    staff
    West Wing
    Oval Office
    White House Guests
    This photograph of President Richard M. Nixon meeting with American musician Elvis Presley in the Oval Office was taken by Oliver F. Atkins on December 21, 1970. White House staff member Egil Krogh is seen looking on at right. Out of concern for the country, Presley wrote President Nixon a letter suggesting he be appointed a Federal Agent at Large and requested a meeting. Nixon agreed to meet Presley and, during the visit, gave him a federal narcotics badge. In turn, Presley gifted the president a pistol and some family photos for hosting the meeting.
  • President Nixon Meets with Elvis Presley in the Oval Office
    Oliver F. Atkins
    staff
    White House Guests
    West Wing
    Oval Office
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This photograph of President Richard M. Nixon meeting with American musician Elvis Presley in the Oval Office was taken by Oliver F. Atkins on December 21, 1970. President Nixon can be seen admiring Presley's cufflinks while White House staff member Egil Krogh is seen looking on at right. Out of concern for the country, Presley wrote President Nixon a letter suggesting he be appointed a Federal Agent at Large and requested a meeting. Nixon agreed to meet Presley and, during the visit, gave him a federal narcotics badge. In turn, Presley gifted the president a pistol and some family photos for hosting the meeting.
  • Press Secretary Connie Stuart Addresses Members of the Press
    Byron E. Schumaker
    South Grounds
    South Lawn
    press
    staff
    wedding
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This photograph of press secretary and staff director to First Lady Pat Nixon, Constance “Connie” Cornell Stuart, addressing members of the press was taken on June 12, 1971. That day, Tricia Nixon -- eldest daughter of President Richard M. Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon -- married Edward Cox at the White House in a Rose Garden ceremony followed by a reception in the East Room. Press members outnumbered the 400 wedding guests by approximately two to one, with the White House issuing around 700 press credentials. There was also a yellow and white striped tent at the tennis pavilion, which served as an outdoor press room.
  • Press Secretary Connie Stuart Addresses Members of the Press
    Byron E. Schumaker
    wedding
    staff
    press
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This photograph of press secretary and staff director to First Lady Pat Nixon, Constance “Connie” Cornell Stuart, addressing members of the press was taken on June 12, 1971. That day, Tricia Nixon -- eldest daughter of President Richard M. Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon -- married Edward Cox at the White House in a Rose Garden ceremony followed by a reception in the East Room. Press members outnumbered the 400 wedding guests by approximately two to one, with the White House issuing around 700 press credentials. There was also a yellow and white striped tent at the tennis pavilion, which served as an outdoor press room.