• Volunteers Decorate the East Colonnade for the 2018 Holiday Season
    Andrea Hanks
    winter holidays
    decorations
    East Wing
    East Colonnade
    Christmas
    In this photograph, taken by Andrea Hanks on November 23, 2018, volunteers assemble topiary trees for First Lady Melania Trump's "American Treasures" theme. Upon completion, rows of topiary trees were used to line the East Colonnade. Each year, volunteers from across the country assist in the holiday transformation of the White House. Volunteers typically assist with a variety of activities including putting up ornaments, assembling wreaths and bouquets, and creating one-of-a kind decorations to complement the annual theme.
  • Volunteers Decorate the East Room for the 2018 Holiday Season
    Andrea Hanks
    winter holidays
    decorations
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    In this photograph, taken by Andrea Hanks on November 21, 2018, volunteers decorate Christmas trees in the East Room for First Lady Melania Trump's "American Treasures" theme. Each year, volunteers from across the country assist in the holiday transformation of the White House. Volunteers typically assist with a variety of activities including putting up ornaments, assembling wreaths and bouquets, and creating one-of-a kind decorations to complement the annual theme.
  • Tuning of the Steinway Piano
    Andrea Hanks
    music
    instruments
    State Floor
    Entrance Hall
    winter holidays
    In this photograph, taken by Andrea Hanks on November 21, 2018, an unidentified man tunes the Steinway piano in the Entrance Hall of the White House in anticipation of the holiday season. The grand piano was a gift to the White House from Steinway and Sons of Long Island City, New York in 1938. This piano replaced an earlier piano given to the White House by Steinway in 1903. Gilded scenes of American dance forms appear on the Honduran mahogany case, which is supported by three gilded, eagle-shaped legs in the Art Deco style
  • Decorating of the State Dining Room for the 2018 Holiday Season
    Andrea Hanks
    winter holidays
    decorations
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    Christmas
    This photograph was taken by Andrea Hanks on November 23, 2018, during the decoration of the White House for First Lady Melania Trump's "American Treasures" theme. This shot captures the work in progress in the State Dining Room. Each year, volunteers from across the country assist in the holiday transformation of the White House. Volunteers typically assist with a variety of activities including putting up ornaments, assembling wreaths and bouquets, and creating one-of-a kind decorations to complement the annual theme.
  • Decorating of the Entrance Hall for the 2018 Holiday Season
    Andrea Hanks
    winter holidays
    decorations
    State Floor
    Entrance Hall
    Christmas
    This photograph of the Entrance Hall was taken by Andrea Hanks on November 23, 2018, during the decoration of the White House for First Lady Melania Trump's "American Treasures" theme. This shot captures the work in progress: Christmas trees stand partially strung with lights, a mat and plastic bins are visible in the center of the room, red ornaments remain in cardboard boxes, and volunteers consult with one another. Each year, volunteers from across the country assist in the holiday transformation of the White House. Volunteers typically assist with a variety of activities including putting up ornaments, assembling wreaths and bouquets, and creating one-of-a kind decorations to complement the annual theme.
  • Volunteer Displays Wreaths in the Red Room
    Andrea Hanks
    winter holidays
    decorations
    State Floor
    Red Room
    Christmas
    In this photograph, taken by Andrea Hanks on November 23, 2018, a volunteer poses with wreaths assembled for First Lady Melania Trump's "American Treasures" theme. Made in part from pencils emblazed with the logo for "BE BEST," the child wellness initiative launched by the first lady earlier that year, the wreaths were hung in the windows of the Red Room. Each year, volunteers from across the country assist in the holiday transformation of the White House. Volunteers typically assist with a variety of activities including putting up ornaments, assembling wreaths and bouquets, and creating one-of-a kind decorations to complement the annual theme.
  • Volunteers Assemble Topiary Trees for 2018 Holiday Decorations
    Andrea Hanks
    winter holidays
    decorations
    East Wing
    East Colonnade
    Christmas
    In this photograph, taken by Andrea Hanks on November 23, 2018, volunteers assemble topiary trees for First Lady Melania Trump's "American Treasures" theme. Upon completion, rows of topiary trees were used to line the East Colonnade. Each year, volunteers from across the country assist in the holiday transformation of the White House. Volunteers typically assist with a variety of activities including putting up ornaments, assembling wreaths and bouquets, and creating one-of-a kind decorations to complement the annual theme.
  • Volunteer Hangs the 2018 Official White House Christmas Ornament in the Library
    Andrea Hanks
    winter holidays
    ornament
    decorations
    Library
    Ground Floor
    Christmas
    In this photograph, taken by Andrea Hanks on November 23, 2018, a volunteer carefully hangs the Official White House Christmas Ornament above the mantel in the Library. The Official White House Christmas Ornaments have been a featured part of White House holiday decorations since 1981, with proceeds supporting the White House Historical Association. In 2018, the Official White House Christmas Ornament celebrated President Harry S. Truman, and the renovations of the White House overseen during his presidency including the addition of the iconic Truman Balcony on the South Portico. Each year, volunteers from across the country assist in the holiday transformation of the White House. Volunteers typically assist with a variety of activities including putting up ornaments, assembling wreaths and bouquets, and creating one-of-a kind decorations to complement the annual theme.
  • View from Green Room of Volunteers Decorating the East Room
    Andrea Hanks
    winter holidays
    decorations
    State Floor
    Green Room
    East Room
    Christmas
    This photograph was taken by Andrea Hanks from the Green Room on November 21, 2018. Through a doorframe leading into the East Room, volunteers stand on ladders to decorate Christmas trees for the holiday season. Each year, volunteers from across the country assist in the holiday transformation of the White House. Volunteers typically assist with a variety of activities including putting up ornaments, assembling wreaths and bouquets, and creating one-of-a kind decorations to complement the annual theme.
  • Volunteers Unload 2018 Holiday Decorations
    Andrea Hanks
    winter holidays
    decorations
    South Grounds
    Christmas
    In this photograph, taken by Andrea Hanks on November 21, 2018, volunteers unload holiday decorations from a truck on the South Drive. Each year, volunteers from across the country assist in the holiday transformation of the White House. Volunteers typically assist with a variety of activities including putting up ornaments, assembling wreaths and bouquets, and creating one-of-a kind decorations to complement the annual theme.
  • Volunteers Unload 2018 Holiday Decorations
    Andrea Hanks
    winter holidays
    decorations
    South Grounds
    Christmas
    In this photograph, taken by Andrea Hanks on November 21, 2018, volunteers unload holiday decorations from a truck on the South Drive. Each year, volunteers from across the country assist in the holiday transformation of the White House. Volunteers typically assist with a variety of activities including putting up ornaments, assembling wreaths and bouquets, and creating one-of-a kind decorations to complement the annual theme.
  • President and Mrs. Trump Welcome the 2018 White House Christmas Tree
    Andrea Hanks
    winter holidays
    North Portico
    Christmas Tree arrival
    Blue Room Christmas Tree
    Christmas
    In this photograph, taken by Andrea Hanks on November 19, 2018, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the arrival of the Blue Room Christmas Tree on the North Drive. The 19.5-foot tall Frasier fir was grown by Larry Smith of the Mountain Top Frasier Fir Farm in Newland, North Carolina. 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. The tree is traditionally delivered by horse-drawn carriage before it is carefully delivered to be the Blue Room and erected by National Park Service employees.
  • Hanukkah Reception, 2019
    Andrea Hanks
    East Room
    Hanukkah
    State Floor
    menorah
    winter holidays
    This photograph was taken by Andrea Hanks on December 11, 2019, during an afternoon Hanukkah reception hosted by President Donald Trump in the East Room. That day, two Hanukkah receptions were held at the White House, following a precedent established by President Barack Obama in 2013. Here, President Trump greets Austin Polonski, a 12-year-old supporter from San Francisco, California. At right is a menorah borrowed for the ceremony, which was sculpted from Kassam rocket metal contributed to the ceremony by artist Yaron Bob of Yated, Israel. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter formally observed Hanukkah by participating in the National Menorah Lighting on the Ellipse. Since then, presidents have participated in Hanukkah observances and menorah lighting ceremonies. Hanukkah receptions have been a traditional part of holiday celebrations at the White House since 2001.
  • Presidential Turkeys at the Willard Hotel
    Andrea Hanks
    Washington, D.C.
    Thanksgiving
    Turkey Pardon
    This photograph, taken by Andrea Hanks on November 24, 2019, shows a turkey enjoying its stay in a guest room at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. Turkeys Bread and Butter arrived at the luxury hotel in advance of the Turkey Pardon ceremony at the White House two days later. Butter was selected to receive a pardon from President Donald Trump in the Rose Garden ceremony following a national contest. After the ceremony, the pair of turkeys were transferred to 'Gobblers Rest' reserve in Blacksburg, Virginia to be cared for by veterinarians and students of Virginia Tech's Animal and Poultry Sciences Department. Presidents and their families have received turkeys for the holidays as far back as the 1870s. However, the origin of the turkey pardon is said to have started with President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, after he offered clemency to a turkey purchased for Christmas dinner at his son's request. The pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey became a formalized tradition during the Ronald Reagan administration.
  • Mrs. Trump Welcomes Trick-or-Treaters
    Andrea Hanks
    Halloween
    South Grounds
    flowers
    decorations
    In this photograph, taken by Andrea Hanks, First Lady Melania Trump poses for a photograph with a young guest during a Halloween celebration at the White House on on October 25, 2020. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted the event for local schoolchildren, children of frontline workers, and military families. The event included performances of seasonal tunes by the United States Air Force Strolling Strings as well as display stands and giveaway booths on the South Grounds by government agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Transportation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event incorporated safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, a face mask requirement for guests ages 2 and up, and a "no touch" policy for giveaway distribution.
  • Halloween at the White House, 2020
    Andrea Hanks
    Halloween
    South Grounds
    This photograph of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeting trick-or-treaters by the South Portico was taken by Andrea Hanks on October 25, 2020. The president and first lady hosted the Halloween celebration for local schoolchildren, children of frontline workers, and military families. The event included performances of seasonal tunes by the United States Air Force Strolling Strings as well as display stands and giveaway booths on the South Grounds by government agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Transportation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event incorporated safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, a face mask requirement for guests ages 2 and up, and a "no touch" policy for giveaway distribution.
  • Halloween at the White House, 2020
    Andrea Hanks
    South Portico
    decorations
    Halloween
    This photograph of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeting trick-or-treaters by the South Portico was taken by Andrea Hanks on October 25, 2020. The president and first lady hosted the Halloween celebration for local schoolchildren, children of frontline workers, and military families. The event included performances of seasonal tunes by the United States Air Force Strolling Strings as well as display stands and giveaway booths on the South Grounds by government agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Transportation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event incorporated safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, a face mask requirement for guests ages 2 and up, and a "no touch" policy for giveaway distribution.
  • Halloween at the White House, 2020
    Andrea Hanks
    Halloween
    South Grounds
    This photograph of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeting trick-or-treaters by the South Portico was taken by Andrea Hanks on October 25, 2020. The president and first lady hosted the Halloween celebration for local schoolchildren, children of frontline workers, and military families. The event included performances of seasonal tunes by the United States Air Force Strolling Strings as well as display stands and giveaway booths on the South Grounds by government agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Transportation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event incorporated safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, a face mask requirement for guests ages 2 and up, and a "no touch" policy for giveaway distribution.
  • Halloween at the White House, 2020
    Andrea Hanks
    Halloween
    South Portico
    decorations
    This photograph of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arriving at the South Portico for a Halloween celebration at the White House was taken by Andrea Hanks on October 25, 2020. The president and first lady hosted the event for local schoolchildren, children of frontline workers, and military families. For the festivities, the South Portico was decorated with autumnal leaves, chrysanthemums, and cascading pumpkins. The event included performances of seasonal tunes by the United States Air Force Strolling Strings as well as display stands and giveaway booths on the South Grounds by government agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Transportation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event incorporated safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, a face mask requirement for guests ages 2 and up, and a "no touch" policy for giveaway distribution.
  • U.S. Air Force Strolling Strings Perform for Halloween 2020
    Andrea Hanks
    military
    flowers
    decorations
    U.S. Air Force Band
    South Portico
    Halloween
    performing
    music
    This photograph of violinists from the United States Air Force Strolling Strings performing on the west staircase of the South Portico was taken by Andrea Hanks on October 25, 2020, during a Halloween celebration at the White House hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for local schoolchildren, children of frontline workers, and military families. The staircase is decorated with vibrant purple and orange chrysanthemums and cascading pumpkins. The event included performances of seasonal tunes by the United States Air Force Strolling Strings as well as display stands and giveaway booths on the South Grounds by government agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Transportation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event incorporated safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, a face mask requirement for guests ages 2 and up, and a "no touch" policy for giveaway distribution.
  • U.S. Air Force Strolling Strings Perform for Halloween 2020
    Andrea Hanks
    military
    flowers
    decorations
    U.S. Air Force Band
    South Portico
    Halloween
    performing
    music
    This photograph of violinists from the United States Air Force Strolling Strings performing on the east staircase of the South Portico was taken by Andrea Hanks on October 25, 2020, during a Halloween celebration at the White House hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for local schoolchildren, children of frontline workers, and military families. The staircase is decorated with vibrant yellow and orange chrysanthemums and cascading pumpkins. The event included performances of seasonal tunes by the United States Air Force Strolling Strings as well as display stands and giveaway booths on the South Grounds by government agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Transportation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event incorporated safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, a face mask requirement for guests ages 2 and up, and a "no touch" policy for giveaway distribution.
  • Halloween at the White House, 2020
    Andrea Hanks
    decorations
    Halloween
    South Grounds
    This photograph of trick-or-treaters running under a festive entry sign was taken by Andrea Hanks on October 25, 2020, during a Halloween celebration at the White House hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for local schoolchildren, children of frontline workers, and military families. The event included performances of seasonal tunes by the United States Air Force Strolling Strings as well as display stands and giveaway booths on the South Grounds by government agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Transportation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event incorporated safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, a face mask requirement for guests ages 2 and up, and a "no touch" policy for giveaway distribution.
  • Halloween at the White House, 2020
    Andrea Hanks
    South Grounds
    flowers
    Halloween
    This photograph was taken by Andrea Hanks on October 25, 2020, during a Halloween celebration at the White House hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for local schoolchildren, children of frontline workers, and military families. The event included performances of seasonal tunes by the United States Air Force Strolling Strings as well as display stands and giveaway booths on the South Grounds by government agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Transportation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event incorporated safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, a face mask requirement for guests ages 2 and up, and a "no touch" policy for giveaway distribution. The South Fountain is prominently featured in the foreground of this photograph, surrounded by orange flowers.
  • Halloween at the White House, 2020
    Andrea Hanks
    South Grounds
    Halloween
    This photograph was taken by Andrea Hanks on October 25, 2020, during a Halloween celebration at the White House hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for local schoolchildren, children of frontline workers, and military families. The event included performances of seasonal tunes by the United States Air Force Strolling Strings as well as display stands and giveaway booths on the South Grounds by government agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Transportation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event incorporated safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, a face mask requirement for guests ages 2 and up, and a "no touch" policy for giveaway distribution. Here, guests admire model vehicles at a display station from the Department of Transportation.
  • Halloween at the White House, 2020
    Andrea Hanks
    South Grounds
    Halloween
    This photograph was taken by Andrea Hanks on October 25, 2020, during a Halloween celebration at the White House hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for local schoolchildren, children of frontline workers, and military families. The event included performances of seasonal tunes by the United States Air Force Strolling Strings as well as display stands and giveaway booths on the South Grounds by government agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Transportation. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event incorporated safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, a face mask requirement for guests ages 2 and up, and a "no touch" policy for giveaway distribution. Here, a trick-or-treater picks up a giveaway from the NASA booth.