This photograph of White House curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on June 28, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The curator was on hand to accept the a noteworthy painting of a Hartford, Connecticut family. Donated by the E. and A. Silberman Galleries, this important acquisition was hung in the Lincoln Bedroom, enhancing its Victorian period decor. This painting by an unknown artist is a portrait of a family relaxing in their lounge or parlor, circa 1840-1850. Members of the family of five sit about, playing the piano, working on needlepoint, and playing with the family dog. In the back, a young African American girl serves the mother.

In this photograph taken by Robert L. Knudsen, visitors join White House curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce in front of a Chinese Coromandel screen first loaned and subsequently given to the White House by Mrs. Boyd Hatch on July 6, 1961. The screen as shown in the photograph was first used in the State Dining Room, it was later moved to the Center Hall on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion. The State Dining Room is located on the State Floor of the White House. Though Thomas Jefferson used the space as his office, for most of the history of the White House the State Dining room has been a place for large meetings, receptions, and formal events. It was enlarged during President Theodore Roosevelt’s 1902 renovations and can seat up to 140 people. As the second largest area in the White House, the State Dining Room is used for formal dinners to honor heads of state and other dignitaries.

This photograph of White House curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on September 21, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy. In the photograph, the curator shows a porcelain plate once owned by President John Adams to a visitor in the China Room. The China Room is located on the Ground Floor of the White House and has been used to display ceramics, glass, and other decorative arts since 1917. The pieces on display are a collection of items used in the White House by first families, including state china services commissioned during a presidency.

In this photograph taken by Robert L. Knudsen on September 21, 1961, White House curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce shows a fruit basket from the Abraham Lincoln State Service to an unidentified visitor in the China Room. The China Room is located on the Ground Floor of the White House and has been used to display ceramics, glass, and other decorative arts since 1917. The pieces on display are a collection of items used in the White House by first families, including state china services commissioned during a presidency.

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.

In this photograph, taken by Robert L. Knudsen on September 21, 1961, White House Curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce (left) shows an artifact to an unidentified guest in the China Room. The White House Office of the Curator was created in 1961, after First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy recognized that the historic furniture and artwork of the White House should be preserved and managed according to museum standards. Lorraine Waxman Pierce was the first person to hold the staff position of White House Curator.