This miniature watercolor on ivory portrait of William Thornton was created by Robert Field circa 1800. Dr. William Thornton was born in the British West Indies in 1759 and gained U.S. citizenship in 1787. Thornton moved to Washington, D.C. after President George Washington chose his design for the U.S. Capitol building and appointed him a city commissioner. Considered the "first architect of the Capitol," Thornton held the role of head of the Patent Office from 1802 until his death in 1828. William Thornton and the creator, Robert Field, were acquaintances. This portrait is a part of the White House Collection.

This sword was presented to Commodore Stephen Decatur by the Commonwealth of Virginia following his capture of the Macedonia on October 25, 1812. The blade was created in Philadelphia by William Rose and features an ivory and parcel-gilt hilt topped with a cast eagle, silver gilt plate, and brass stripes on the edges, and inlaid with gold foliage and silver lettering. An inscription on the blade reads, “In testimony of the splendid naval talents and valor displayed by Commodore Stephen Decatur commanding the United States Frigate UNITED STATES in the capture of the English Frigate MACEDONIA 25th, October 1812.” This presentation sword is part of the collection at Decatur House. In 2010, the White House Historical Association and National Trust entered into co-stewardship arrangement and Decatur House now serves as the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History.

This sword and scabbard was presented to Commodore Stephen Decatur by the Commonwealth of Virginia following his capture of the Macedonia on October 25, 1812. The blade was created in Philadelphia by William Rose and features an ivory and parcel-gilt hilt topped with a cast eagle, silver gilt plate, and brass stripes on the edges, and inlaid with gold foliage and silver lettering. An inscription on the blade reads, “In testimony of the splendid naval talents and valor displayed by Commodore Stephen Decatur commanding the United States Frigate UNITED STATES in the capture of the English Frigate MACEDONIA 25th, October 1812.” The scabbard is made of gilt silver with cast-applied nautical decorations. This presentation sword and scabbard are a part of the collection at Decatur House. In 2010, the White House Historical Association and National Trust entered into co-stewardship arrangement and Decatur House now serves as the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History.

This watercolor on ivory portrait of President Andrew Jackson was completed by Samuel M. Charles in 1835. The portrait is signed and dated to the right, reading, "Painted by S M. Charles 1835." Jackson was president from March 4, 1829 until March 4, 1837. Prior to his election, President Jackson served in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate for the state of Tennessee and was a major general during the War of 1812. Bates Littlehales photographed this portrait in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.

This watercolor on ivory portrait of President Andrew Jackson was completed by Samuel M. Charles in 1835. The portrait is signed and dated to the right, reading, "Painted by S M. Charles 1835." Jackson was president from March 4, 1829 until March 4, 1837. Prior to his election, President Jackson served in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate for the state of Tennessee and was a major general during the War of 1812. Bates Littlehales photographed this portrait in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.

This watercolor on ivory portrait of President Andrew Jackson was completed by Samuel M. Charles in 1835. The portrait is signed and dated to the right, reading, "Painted by S M. Charles 1835." Jackson was president from March 4, 1829 until March 4, 1837. Prior to his election, President Jackson served in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate for the state of Tennessee and was a major general during the War of 1812. Bates Littlehales photographed this portrait in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.

The coffeepot, hot-water pot, cream pitcher, and vegetable dish are part of the 130-piece silver service President Andrew Jackson purchased from Baron de Tyull, the Russian minister to the United States, in 1833. The service was created by renowned Parisian silversmith Martin-Guillaume Biennais between 1809 and 1819. The wine cooler was created by Jean Baptiste-Claude Odiot and was purchased during the James Monroe administration. The wine cooler was created circa 1798 and 1809. The pitchers and wine cooler all feature the engraving, "President's House."

The coffeepot, hot-water pot, cream pitcher, and vegetable dish are part of the 130-piece silver service President Andrew Jackson purchased from Baron de Tyull, the Russian minister to the United States, in 1833. The service was created by renowned Parisian silversmith Martin-Guillaume Biennais between 1809 and 1819. The wine cooler was created by Jean Baptiste-Claude Odiot and was purchased during the James Monroe administration. The wine cooler was created circa 1798 and 1809. The pitchers and wine cooler all feature the engraving, "President's House."

The coffeepot, hot-water pot, cream pitcher, and vegetable dish are part of the 130-piece silver service President Andrew Jackson purchased from Baron de Tyull, the Russian minister to the United States, in 1833. The service was created by renowned Parisian silversmith Martin-Guillaume Biennais between 1809 and 1819. The wine cooler was created by Jean Baptiste-Claude Odiot and was purchased during the James Monroe administration. The wine cooler was created circa 1798 and 1809. The pitchers and wine cooler all feature the engraving, "President's House."

The coffeepot, hot-water pot, cream pitcher, and vegetable dish are part of the 130-piece silver service President Andrew Jackson purchased from Baron de Tyull, the Russian minister to the United States, in 1833. The service was created by renowned Parisian silversmith Martin-Guillaume Biennais between 1809 and 1819. The wine cooler was created by Jean Baptiste-Claude Odiot and was purchased during the James Monroe administration. The wine cooler was created circa 1798 and 1809. The pitchers and wine cooler all feature the engraving, "President's House."

This miniature portrait of future president James Madison was painted by Charles Willson Peale. Madison was an accomplished legislator when he entered his presidency: he had previously served in the Virginia House of Delegates, the Second Continental Congress, and the House of Representatives. He played a pivotal role during his time in the House, drafting of the Bill of Rights, and later served as Thomas Jefferson's secretary of state. He was the first president to have previously served in Congress. Peale was a soldier and inventor and created many portraits of Revolutionary War era figures. He has pieces, including a portrait of George Washington, in the White House Collection as do his younger brother, James, and his son, Rembrandt.

This miniature is the earliest known portrait of future president James Monroe. It was painted with watercolor on ivory by French artist Louis Sené while Monroe served as the United States Minister to France. It was made to complement a contemporary miniature of Monroe's wife, Elizabeth.

This ivory sculpture of is President James Monroe. This sculpture was made by an unknown artist around the late 19th century. Prior to his presidency, Monroe served in the United States Senate for the Commonwealth of Virginia and as secretary of state and secretary of war during the administration of President James Madison. He was the fifth president of the United States, serving from 1817 to 1825.

This watercolor on ivory portrait of President Andrew Jackson was completed by Samuel M. Charles in 1835. The portrait is signed and dated to the right, reading, "Painted by S M. Charles 1835." Jackson was president from March 4, 1829 until March 4, 1837. Prior to his election, President Jackson served in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate for the state of Tennessee and was a major general during the War of 1812.

This watercolor portrait of President Millard Fillmore is from the late 19th century. President Fillmore began his national political career in the United States House of Representatives. He served as vice president under President Zachary Taylor until Taylor's sudden death while in office in 1850. Fillmore served as the thirteenth president from July 10, 1850 until March 4, 1853.

This black and white version of an 1899 watercolor portrait by Emily Drayton Taylor is of President William McKinley. The portrait was painted on ivory at the White House. Taylor also painted President McKinley's wife, First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley, that same year in the same medium.

This painting, from the late 19th century, is of Martha Washington, wife of President George Washington. During President Washington's administration (1789-1797), Mrs. Washington is said to have created an atmosphere of warm hospitality in the temporary capitals of New York and Philadelphia despite her dislike of formal affairs and society.

This oil on canvas painting of President James Buchanan was done by John Henry Brown. Prior to his presidency, Buchanan had served in the House of Representatives and the Senate, was Secretary of State under Presidents Polk and Taylor and served as an ambassador. He was president from March 4, 1857 until March 4, 1861.