This photograph of the West Colonnade and the Rose Garden was taken by Martin Ratigan on July 1, 2021 during the Joseph R. Biden administration. The photograph, taken just outside the Oval Office, shows the beautiful grounds, and the ornate garden visible from the president's desk.

This photograph of the West Colonnade and the Rose Garden was taken by Martin Ratigan on July 1, 2021 during the Joseph R. Biden administration. The Rose Garden is made up of colorful annual perennials in addition to the roses it is named after. It is located on the west side of the South Grounds, just outside the Oval Office. It has gone through several incarnations: a vegetable garden in the first part of the 19th century, a “colonial” garden in 1902, and then replaced with a rose garden in 1913. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy wanted to expand the garden for official functions and events. His idea became the Rose Garden, designed by horticulturist, gardener, and close friend of the Kennedys, Rachel Lambert Mellon. The garden was installed the following year, becoming a green theater for official ceremonies and a special place for the first family’s private enjoyment.

In this photograph from May 1962, a photographer, possibly George F. Mobley of the National Geographic Service, ascends a ladder of a firetruck parked on Pennsylvania Avenue to capture an aerial view of the White House. The photo session was for the cover of the first edition of "The White House: An Historic Guide," a publication released by the White House Historical Association that serves a companion book for tours of the White House, providing history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture.

In this photograph from May 1962, a photographer, possibly George F. Mobley of the National Geographic Service, ascends a ladder of a firetruck parked on Pennsylvania Avenue to capture an aerial view of the White House. The photo session was for the cover of the first edition of "The White House: An Historic Guide," a publication released by the White House Historical Association that serves a companion book for tours of the White House, providing history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture.

This photograph of the North Front of the White House was taken by Bruce White on July 21, 2021 during the Joseph R. Biden administration. The North Portico of the Executive Mansion along with the North Lawn is visible in the foreground.

This photograph of the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden was taken by Bruce White on August 15, 2015. The pergola was designed by renowned architect I. M. Pei. Formerly called the East Garden, or the First Lady's Garden, the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden was formally dedicated to Mrs. Kennedy by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson in 1965. The botanical composition of the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden changes with each administration. Where the Rose Garden is centered on roses, the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden is centered on the personal tastes of the current administration.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel from the Ellipse on December 2, 2021, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center windows of the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel from the Ellipse on December 2, 2021, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center windows of the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel from the Ellipse on December 2, 2021, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center windows of the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel from the Ellipse on December 2, 2021, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center windows of the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel from the Ellipse on December 2, 2021, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center windows of the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 4, 2021, from among the small trees in the Pathway of Peace on the Ellipse. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center window of the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 4, 2021, from among the small trees in the Pathway of Peace on the Ellipse. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center window of the South Portico.

This photograph of holiday wreaths on the north front of the White House was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. 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. This was the first time the White House holiday decorations included a large illuminated wreath atop the pediment of the North Portico.

This photograph of holiday wreaths on the north front of the White House was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. 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. This was the first time the White House holiday decorations included a large illuminated wreath atop the pediment of the North Portico.

This photograph of holiday wreaths on the north front of the White House was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. 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. This was the first time the White House holiday decorations included a large illuminated wreath atop the pediment of the North Portico.

This elevation drawing was created by Benjamin Henry Latrobe in 1807. The architectural drawing shows an east view of the White House, with guests entering and departing the house from the proposed North and South Porticos. The North and South Porticos were not part of James Hoban's original 1792 design for the White House. Although this drawing anticipates the prominent use of columns on the North Portico (completed ca. 1829-1820) and South Portico (completed 1824), it does not reflect the appearance of the North and South Porticos as they were constructed.

In this photograph from May 1962, a photographer, possibly George F. Mobley of the National Geographic Service, ascends the ladder of a firetruck parked on Pennsylvania Avenue to capture an aerial view of the White House. The photo session was for the cover of the first edition of "The White House: An Historic Guide," a publication released by the White House Historical Association that serves a companion book for tours of the White House, providing history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture. This photograph was taken from Lafayette Square, just north of the White House.

This photograph, taken by Joyce N. Boghosian on September 11, 2020, shows the American flag atop the White House flown at half-staff in observance of Patriot Day. In 2002, President George W. Bush designated September 11th as Patriot Day, a time that has been recognized through presidential proclamations as a national day of remembrance, prayer, and service. Presidents and first ladies typically commemorate the day through moment of silence observations on the White House South Lawn, and by attending remembrance ceremonies at sites affected by the terrorist attacks.

This photograph, taken by Joyce N. Boghosian on September 11, 2020, shows the American flag atop the White House flown at half-staff in observance of Patriot Day. In 2002, President George W. Bush designated September 11th as Patriot Day, a time that has been recognized through presidential proclamations as a national day of remembrance, prayer, and service. Presidents and first ladies typically commemorate the day through moment of silence observations on the White House South Lawn, and by attending remembrance ceremonies at sites affected by the terrorist attacks.

This plan suggested a proposed expansion for the Executive Mansion attributed to First Lady Caroline Harrison around 1891. Compiled and drawn by architect Frederick Dale Owen, the plan proposes the addition of a private central court enclosed by historic and official wings as well as a series of greenhouses and conservatories housing palm gardens and a lily pond. While this proposal never came to be realized, the plan anticipates President Theodore Roosevelt's construction of the East and West Wings in 1902.

This photograph taken on April 21, 1962 by Robert L. Knudsen depicts aerial views of Washington, D. C., showing parts of the city during the John F. Kennedy administration. At the time, Washington Monument was separated from the Lincoln Memorial by the “tempos” —temporary buildings—erected during World War II. The foreground features the Smithsonian Institution's Castle, Arts and Industries Building, National Museum of Natural History, and the construction site of the Museum of History and Technology, which was renamed the National Museum of American History in 1980.

This photograph taken on April 21, 1962, by Robert L. Knudsen depicts aerial views of Washington, D. C. showing parts of the city during the John F. Kennedy administration. The White House is visible toward the upper right corner of the picture. The foreground features the Smithsonian Institution's Castle, Arts and Industries Building, National Museum of Natural History, and the construction site of the Museum of History and Technology, which was renamed the National Museum of American History in 1980.

This photograph is of the sign at the visitors' entrance where tourists queued for public tours. The image was taken by Robert Knudsen on February 8, 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.

This photograph of the Rose Garden was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on July 13, 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The Rose Garden is located on the west side of the South Grounds, just outside the Oval Office. It has gone through several incarnations: a vegetable garden in the first part of the 19th century, a “colonial” garden in 1902, and then replaced with a rose garden in 1913. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy wanted to expand the garden for official functions and events. His idea became the Rose Garden, designed by horticulturist, gardener, and close friend of the Kennedys, Rachel Lambert Mellon. The garden was installed the following year, becoming a green theater for official ceremonies and a special place for the first family’s private enjoyment. This photograph shows the Rose Garden after Rachel Lambert Mellon oversaw its installation.