This walnut, brass, and ivory medicine chest was taken from the White House during the fire of August 24, 1814 and given to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by a descendant of Thomas Kains, a British naval officer who was part of the party that burned the White House down during the Invasion of Washington during the War of 1812. Bruce White photographed the medicine chest opened in 2023. To see the chest closed, see asset ID 1137880.

This walnut, brass, and ivory medicine chest was taken from the White House during the fire of August 24, 1814 and given to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by a descendant of Thomas Kains, a British naval officer who was part of the party that burned the White House down during the Invasion of Washington during the War of 1812. Bruce White photographed the medicine chest closed in 2023. To see the chest opened, see asset ID 1137879.

This flounce is an example of Spanish blonde silk Bobbin lace made in the 19th century. Elizabeth Tyler, daughter of President John Tyler and First Lady Letitia Christian Tyler, wore a wedding veil said to be of blonde lace, a type of silk Bobbin lace, originally made in France and worn by wealthy women in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is made of raw, undyed silk threads, which is where the term “blonde lace” comes from. In later years, blonde lace dyed black also became a popular trimming for expensive gowns. Elizabeth Tyler married William Waller in an intimate White House ceremony on January 31, 1842.

This wedding ensemble from circa 1841 - 1843 was crafted in the United State of America and was made from silk taffeta and blonde lace. Elizabeth Tyler, daughter of President John Tyler and First Lady Letitia Christian Tyler, married William Waller in an intimate White House ceremony on January 31, 1842. Though no exact details of Elizabeth’s wedding gown remain, this ensemble depicts the style of the decade, with sloping shoulders, an elongated, small waist, full skirt, and an exposed neckline. The blonde lace, silk, and restrained style is reminiscent of the few words illustrating Elizabeth Tyler's gown on the day of her nuptials.

This silk wedding ensemble from 1844 originated in Europe and is an example of a silk bridal costume in the 1840s style. Elizabeth Tyler, daughter of President John Tyler and First Lady Letitia Christian Tyler, married William Waller in an intimate White House ceremony on January 31, 1842. Though no exact details of Elizabeth’s wedding gown remain, it is known that her blonde lace veil was made of silk, similar to this gown, making it reasonable that her gown had silk fabrics or trimmings. American silk production had increased by the 1840s and one estimate of American silk production in 1843 valued it at $1.4 million. In December 1839, a national silk convention was held in Baltimore. The rising agricultural and political importance of American-made silk may have led to its incorporation in Elizabeth’s wedding gown.

This portrait photograph of Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre in her wedding gown was taken on November 25, 1913. Jessie, daughter of President Woodrow Wilson and First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson, married Francis Bowes Sayre on that day in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. Photographed on the Second Floor of the White House, in either the East or West Sitting Room, Jessie is wearing a wedding gown made of white silk satin woven at the Pelgram and Meyer silk mill in Paterson, New Jersey. The skirt of the gown was narrow at the ankle but had slashes cut in the back, which were hidden by the court train, in order to make it easier for Jessie to walk down the aisle.

This photograph of Alice Roosevelt Longworth's wedding bouquet was taken circa March 9, 1906. Alice, daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt and Alice Lee Roosevelt, married Nicholas Longworth, a member of the House of Representatives from Ohio, weeks earlier during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on February 17, 1906. Alice’s wedding bouquet was composed of rare varieties of white orchids and maidenhair fern in a cascade fashion, a popular English style of the time. The blossoms were tied together at the stem with white chiffon satin ribbon that extended into the floral cascade. After the ceremony, Alice gave flowers from the bouquet to some of her friends.

This portrait photograph of newlyweds Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre and Francis Bowes Sayre in their wedding ensembles was taken on November 25, 1913. Jessie, daughter of President Woodrow Wilson and First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson, married Sayre on that day in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. Photographed on the Second Floor of the White House, in either the East or West Sitting Room, Jessie is wearing a wedding gown made of white silk satin woven at the Pelgram and Meyer silk mill in Paterson, New Jersey. The skirt of the gown was narrow at the ankle but had slashes cut in the back, which were hidden by the court train, in order to make it easier for Jessie to walk down the aisle.

This circa 1804-1805 evening dress was possibly owned by Baltimore socialite Elizabeth Patterson. Patterson wed, and endured an ill-fated marriage, to Jerome Bonaparte, the brother of Napoleon Bonaparte. The wedding gown represents the popular French Empire style in American fashion systems in the early 19th century. The Grecian-inspired loose drapery, puffed sleeves, low neckline, high waistline, and light-colored, very sheer fabric with delicate cotton embroidery replicated the French Empress Josephine’s famous style. The French Empire style of this gown is believed to be similar to the wedding gown worn by Maria Monroe, daughter of President James Monroe and First Lady Elizabeth Monroe, during her wedding to Samuel Gouverneur in a White House ceremony on March 19, 1820.

In this photograph, First Lady Barbara Bush accepts a gift on March 17, 1992. The gift, a crystal bowl of shamrocks, was in honor of St. Patrick's Day and took place in the Rose Garden on the South Grounds of the White House.

This memorandum was written by members of President Richard M. Nixon’s staff to the president on December 21, 1970. The memorandum outlined a request by American musician Elvis Presley to meet with President Nixon that day, including talking points to discuss with Presley.

This memorandum was written by members of President Richard M. Nixon’s staff to the president on December 21, 1970. The memorandum outlined a request by American musician Elvis Presley to meet with President Nixon that day, including talking points to discuss with Presley. This is page two of two. To see the full text of this memorandum, please see 1136063 in the Digital Library.

This memorandum was written by members of President Richard M. Nixon’s staff to the president on December 21, 1970. The memorandum outlined a request by American musician Elvis Presley to meet with President Nixon that day, including talking points to discuss with Presley. This is page one of two. To see the full text of the memorandum, please see 1136063 in the Digital Library.

In this photograph, President Ronald Reagan kicks a soccer ball to American soccer star Steve Moyers on October 14, 1982. Soccer icon Pelé, standing at left, was also a part of the group kick around. Pelé and Moyers were invited to the White House that day to put on a soccer demonstration for two local youth soccer teams -- the Green Raiders and the Stompers -- gathered in the Rose Garden. Pelé and Moyers first met with President Reagan in the Oval Office. Following their demonstration, Pelé (born Edson Arantes do Nascimento) spoke to the young players. President Reagan then tossed the ball and the two teams played a game in the Rose Garden.

In this photograph, President Ronald Reagan speaks with President José Sarney of Brazil and Brazilian soccer superstar Pelé at a State Dinner held in honor of the Brazilian president's official visit to the White House on September 10, 1986. The trio met in the Blue Room while the State Dinner took place outside, in the Rose Garden.

This editorial fashion spread was created in August 1921. The dress at the bottom left is by designer Sally Milgrim. Milgrim got her start in fashion by joining her husband’s suit-making business as a dressmaker in the 1910s. By the 1920s, her business proved to be so successful that she began creating custom designs for entertainers like Ethel Merman, Pearl White, and Mary Pickford. Milgrim’s line expanded to include eveningwear as well as ready-to-wear gowns and accessories. Milgrim’s attention to detail was apparent in her creations – she often incorporated embroidery, cross-stitch, ruffles, pleats, and embedded crystals. A high point in Milgrim’s career was when she was approached to design Eleanor Roosevelt’s inaugural gown for Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1933 inauguration.

This photograph of President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at the White House Easter Egg Roll was taken by Tony Powell on April 18, 2022. The 2022 Easter Egg Roll was hosted by President and Dr. Biden, with the first couple welcoming guests from the South Portico. It marked the first Easter Egg Roll held in person on the the South Grounds of the White House since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Activities at the annual celebration included the traditional Easter egg roll and egg hunt, special guest readers in the reading nook, costumed characters, food, and arts and crafts, among others activities.

This photograph of President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden was taken by Tony Powell at the White House Easter Egg Roll on April 18, 2022. Joining the first couple on stage at the reading nook is late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon, who read his book, "Nana Loves You More." The 2022 Easter Egg Roll was hosted by President and Dr. Biden and was the first held in person on the the South Grounds of the White House since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Activities at the annual celebration included the traditional Easter egg roll and egg hunt, special guest readers in the reading nook, costumed characters, food, and arts and crafts, among others activities.

This photograph of First Lady Pat Nixon was taken on December 11, 1972. Mrs. Nixon is seen standing in the Cross Hall among holiday decorations, including a poinsettia tree, floral designs draped around the chandelier, and red cloth covered columns. The Cross Hall, which is located on the State Floor of the White House, runs the length of the Executive Mansion and offers views of the East, Red, Green, and Blue Rooms.

In this photograph, First Lady Pat Nixon gives a tour of holiday decorations to the White House Press Corps in the State Dining Room. On display nearby is a German A-frame gingerbread house, designed by assistant executive chef Hans Raffert. Raffert created his first A-frame gingerbread house for First Lady Pat Nixon in 1969, where they soon evolved into a beloved holiday tradition.

This photograph of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier with the White House gingerbread house was taken in December 1999. Chef Mesnier and his team created gingerbread versions of the White House, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, and Mount Vernon. The scene also included the Potomac river winding through the display. The theme chosen for 1999 was "Saving America's Treasures," highlighting Mrs. Clinton's program to help preserve important landmarks and historic artifacts.

This photograph of Lyndon B. Johnson and his family at their home was taken on August 28, 1948, on the day of the Texas Senatorial Democratic primary runoff election. Johnson narrowly defeated Texas Governor Coke Stevenson in the contested primary, and went on to win the Senate seat on November 2, 1948. Pictured here from left to right: Lynda Bird Johnson, Lady Bird Johnson, Luci Baines Johnson, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

In this photograph, President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter dance in the East Room during the Congressional Christmas Ball on December 11, 1979. For decades, first families have hosted annual balls for members of Congress during the holiday season.

This black-and-white photograph, shows Governor-General William H. Taft at his desk in his office in the Philippines. Taft was sent to the Philippines at the request of President William McKinley in 1900, where he was tasked with overseeing the establishment of a civilian government for the new protectorate following its annexation to the United States as a result from the Spanish American War. Sympathetic towards and popular with the Filipino people, Taft governed the islands until he was summoned by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 to serve as his Secretary of War.

This photograph was taken on December 9, 1991 during a press preview hosted by First Lady Barbara Bush of the White House holiday decorations. That year, Mrs. Bush's holiday theme drew inspiration from the a needlepoint creche created by the Saintly Stitchers, a needlepoint group of the St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas. For her holiday decorations, over 1,300 needlepoint ornaments were created for the holiday decorations with patterns designed by White House Chief Floral Designer Nancy Clarke. Here, Mrs. Bush points towards ornaments based on the classic storybook characters "Raggedy Ann" and "Raggedy Andy," which she personally stitched for the Blue Room Christmas Tree.