• Woodrow Wilson
    Herbert E. French
    Washington
    D.C.
    This photograph, possibly taken by Herbert E. French, shows former President Woodrow Wilson standing in front of his Washington, D.C. home after his presidency. The President and his wife, First Lady Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, moved into the house located at 2340 S Street in the Kalorama neighborhood of northwest Washington, D.C. after the completion of this second term in office. The house is now listed as a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
  • Laddie Boy Waiting for His Owner
    Herbert E. French
    Pets
    North Door
    North Portico
    Entrance Hall
    State Floor
    In this black and white photograph, the Harding’s family pet Airedale terrier, Laddie Boy, waits patiently at the Executive offices of the White House for the return of President Warren G. Harding, who was in the midst of his summer-long "Voyage of Understanding" in the western United States. This photograph was taken a day before President Harding unexpectedly died while on his tour of America. Harding’s presidential campaign slogan was "Return to Normalcy" following the end of World War I, and Laddie Boy was the perfect representation of this shift. He even sat in on meetings and had his own cabinet chair. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection, of the National Photo Company at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.
  • Laddie Boy with His Portrait
    Herbert E. French
    South Grounds
    Pets
    Portrait
    In this black and white photograph, the Harding’s family pet Airedale terrier, Laddie Boy, is sitting next to his radiotone portrait in silver. The portrait was presented that day to First Lady Florence Kling Harding by Alfred H. Retler. Harding’s presidential campaign slogan was "Return to Normalcy" following the end of World War I, and Laddie Boy was the perfect representation of this shift. He even sat in on meetings and had his own cabinet chair. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection, of the National Photo Company at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.
  • President and Mrs. Harding Bid Goodbye to a White House Employee
    Herbert E. French
    Residence staff
    North Portico
    North Door
    staff
    In this black and white photograph, President Warren G. Harding waits patiently as First Lady Florence Kling Harding bids good-bye to a White House employee at the North Portico of the White House. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection, of the National Photo Company at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.
  • Children Serenade President and Mrs. Harding
    Herbert E. French
    White House Guests
    Event
    Children
    East Room
    State Floor
    In this black and white photograph, Washington school children serenade President Warren G. Harding and First Lady Florence Kling Harding. The serenade was a feature of the Music Week program, which was to have been held at the Lincoln Memorial but was transferred to the East Room of the White House because of rain. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection, of the National Photo Company at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.
  • President Harding and Laddie Boy Pose for a Photographer
    Herbert E. French
    South Grounds
    South Portico
    Pets
    Press
    In this black and white photograph, a photographer takes a picture President Warren G. Harding playing with the Harding family pet Airedale terrier, Laddie Boy, in front of the South Portico of the White House. Harding’s presidential campaign slogan was "Return to Normalcy" following the end of World War I, and Laddie Boy was the perfect representation of this shift. He even sat in on meetings and had his own cabinet chair. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection, of the National Photo Company at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.
  • President Harding with Young Admirers
    Herbert E. French
    White House Guests
    Children
    In this black and white photograph, President Warren G. Harding is standing with the Harding’s family pet Airedale terrier, Laddie Boy, along with two young admirers, Jack and Bob Kneipp. Another unidentified man is also pictured. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection, of the National Photo Company at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.
  • Laddie Boy Greeting President Harding
    Herbert E. French
    Pets
    North Portico
    In this black and white photograph, the Harding’s family pet Airedale terrier, Laddie Boy, greets the President on his return from his March 1923 visit to Florida. Harding’s presidential campaign slogan was "Return to Normalcy" following the end of World War I, and Laddie Boy was the perfect representation of this shift. He even sat in on meetings and had his own cabinet chair. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection, of the National Photo Company at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.
  • Laddie Boy with His Birthday Cake
    Herbert E. French
    South Grounds
    South Portico
    Pets
    Celebration
    In this black and white photograph, the Harding’s family pet Airedale terrier, Laddie Boy, was the recipient of a huge birthday cake with three candles, each tipped with a tiny American flag. Harding’s presidential campaign slogan was "Return to Normalcy" following the end of World War I, and Laddie Boy was the perfect representation of this shift. He even sat in on meetings and had his own cabinet chair. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection, of the National Photo Company at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.
  • Warren G. Harding with European Delegates
    Herbert E. French
    State Floor
    East Room
    White House Guests
    In this black and white photograph, President Warren G. Harding entertains forty delegates from European countries in the East Room of the White House, while they are passing through Washington on their way to attend the American Legion Convention in New Orleans. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection, of the National Photo Company at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.
  • Mrs. Harding Behind the Camera
    Herbert E. French
    South Grounds
    South Portico
    Press
    White House Guests
    In this black and white photograph, First Lady Florence Kling Harding turns the tables on photographers by going behind the camera. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection, of the National Photo Company at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.
  • Calvin Coolidge Pinning Medal
    Herbert E. French
    military
    ceremony
    This photograph by Herbert E. French of National Photo Company shows President Calvin Coolidge awarding the Medal of Honor to Warrant Officer Floyd Bennett. Commander Richard Byrd, also wearing the Medal of Honor, is standing to the president's right. Bennett was Byrd's co-pilot on an expedition to fly to the North Pole.
  • Piney Perched on Medicine Balls
    Herbert E. French
    pets
    This photograph by Herbert E. French of National Photo Company shows Piney, President Herbert Hoover's schnauzer puppy, sitting on the medicine balls the president famously used for his daily exercise routine. French was known for his photographs that captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson through to the Hoover administrations.
  • Hoover Greets Well-Wishers
    Herbert E. French
    inauguration
    This photograph by Herbert E. French of National Photo Company shows President Herbert Hoover greeting a crowd of well-wishers following his inauguration. French was known for his photographs that captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson through to the Hoover administrations.
  • Hoover Dogs on the South Lawn
    Herbert E. French
    south view
    pets
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    Residence staff
    staff
    This photograph by Herbert E. French of National Photo Company shows White House police officer P.E. Allen and Harry Waters, the White House "Master of Hounds," with some of President Herbert Hoover's dogs on the South Lawn. French was known for his photographs that captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Woodrow Wilson through the Herbert Hoover administrations.
  • King Tut, Whoopie, and Englehurst Gillette
    Herbert E. French
    pets
    Residence staff
    staff
    This photograph by Herbert E. French of National Photo Company shows Robert R. Robinson, caretaker, outside the South Portico with three of President Herbert Hoover's dogs: King Tut, Whoopie, and Englehurst Gillette. French was known for his photographs that captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson through to the Hoover administrations.
  • Mrs. Hoover and the Cowboy Band of Simmons University
    Herbert E. French
    White House Guests
    North Portico
    This photograph by Herbert E. French shows First Lady Lou Henry Hoover on the North Portico of the White House with the Cowboy Band from Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. French was known for his photographs that captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson through to the Hoover administrations.
  • The Coolidge Family with Their Dog
    Herbert E. French
    First Family
    pets
    This photograph by Herbert E. French of National Photo Company shows the Coolidge family and one of their dogs standing at the bottom of the steps leading to the South Portico. The dog is possibly Rob Roy, one of the Coolidges' white collies. Standing, from left to right, are: youngest son Calvin Coolidge, Jr. (who would die a week after this photo was taken), President Calvin Coolidge, First Lady Grace Coolidge, and older son, John Coolidge.
  • National Ski Association Present Skis to the Coolidges
    Herbert E. French
    White House Guests
    sports
    This photograph by Herbert E. French of National Photo Company shows President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge with members of the National Ski Association. The Association presented a pair of skis to both the president and first lady outside, on the White House Grounds.
  • Calvin Coolidge Addressing the American Chemical Society
    Herbert E. French
    South Lawn
    renovation
    This photograph by Herbert E. French of National Photo Company shows President Calvin Coolidge speaking to members of the American Chemical Society from the South Portico of the White House. In the background, scaffolding is erected around the White House and a man is visible to the right of the crowd as he works on the façade.
  • Mrs. Coolidge Gets Flowers and a Kiss from Children
    Herbert E. French
    White House Guests
    This photograph by Herbert E. French of National Photo Company shows Nan Norton, Elizabeth Ann Taylor, and Margaret Cooley presenting First Lady Grace Coolidge with a basket of daisies for the "May Day is Child Health Day" ceremony at the White House. Daisies were the emblem of the Better Health Day Movement. Each girl got a flower and Mrs. Coolidge received a kiss in return.
  • The Hoovers Sitting in Wicker Chairs
    Herbert E. French
    First Family
    leisure
    This photograph by Herbert E. French of National Photo Company shows President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover sitting in wicker chairs. French was known for his photographs that captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson through to the Hoover administrations.
  • Mrs. Coolidge Shows Rebecca to Children
    Herbert E. French
    holidays
    Easter Egg Roll
    children
    pet
    This black and white photograph by Herbert E. French of the National Photo Company was taken on April 18, 1927. In this photograph, First Lady Grace Coolidge introduces her pet raccoon Rebecca to a group of children attending the White House Easter Egg Roll. Though odd by today's standards, domesticated pets like raccoons, badgers, and squirrels were common at the time. The annual Easter Egg Roll dates back to 1878 and the Rutherford B. Hayes administration.
  • Easter Egg Rolling at the White House - Children Clamor for Eggs
    Herbert E. French
    holidays
    Easter Egg Roll
    South View
    children
    In this photograph taken on April 1, 1929 by Herbert E. French of the National Photo Company, a group of children scramble for eggs during the White House Easter Egg Roll. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering to enjoy festivities on the South Lawn. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.
  • Fifty-Fifty-Something Better Than Rolling Easter Eggs
    Herbert E. French
    holidays
    Easter Egg Roll
    children
    In this photograph entitled Fifty-fifty-something better than rolling Easter eggs, taken on April 17, 1922 by Herbert E. French of the National Photo Company, two children share a soda during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll is a cherished springtime tradition in Washington, D.C., with children and their families gathering to enjoy festivities on the South Lawn. This photograph is from the Herbert E. French Collection at the Library of Congress, which captured life in Washington, D.C., from the Wilson to the Hoover administrations.