• The Wedding of John and Jacqueline Kennedy
    Toni Frissell
    weddings
    celebrations
    Rhode Island
    This photograph was taken by Toni Frissell at the wedding of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier on September 12, 1953 in Newport, Rhode Island. The future president and first lady were married at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church followed by a reception (seen here) at Hammersmith Farm, the 300 acre oceanfront estate owned by the Auchincloss family. Hugh D. Auchincloss was Jacqueline's stepfather. Mrs. Kennedy's dress was designed by Ann Lowe.
  • President and Mrs. Kennedy Arrive at Inaugural Ball
    Abbie Rowe
    inaugurations
    In this photograph by Abbie Rowe taken on January 20, 1961, newly-inaugurated President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy arrive at the National Guard Armory in Washington, D.C. for the Inaugural Ball. Earlier in the day, President Kennedy was sworn in at the 35th President of the United States. Mrs. Kennedy wore a sleeveless, off-white gown with a silk sheer top covering a strapless bodice encrusted with “brilliants” and embroidered with silver thread by Ethel Frankau. Mrs. Kennedy collaborated with Frankau in the creation of the gown by offering suggestions on the sketches. Mrs. Kennedy’s look was finished off with a matching cape that closed at the neck and elbow-length gloves.
  • Newlywed Mrs. Kennedy Tosses Her Bouquet
    Toni Frissell
    Rhode Island
    celebrations
    weddings
    This photograph was taken by Toni Frissell at the wedding of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier on September 12, 1953 in Newport, Rhode Island. The future president and first lady were married at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church followed by a reception at Hammersmith Farm, the 300 acre oceanfront estate owned by the Auchincloss family. Hugh D. Auchincloss was Jacqueline's stepfather. Here, the newlywed Mrs. Kennedy tosses her bouquet at the reception. Mrs. Kennedy's wedding dress was designed by Ann Lowe.
  • Presentation of the First Edition of The White House: A Historic Guide
    Cecil Stoughton
    West Wing
    Roosevelt Room
    Presidential Seal
    WHHA
    This photograph is of First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy with David E. Finley, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the White House Historical Association, at the presentation of the first edition of "The White House: A Historic Guide." The publication serves as a companion book for tours of the White House, providing a history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture. The presentation of the first edition took place in the Fish Room, now known as the Roosevelt Room, and was photographed by Cecil Stoughton on June 28, 1962.
  • Presentation of the First Edition of The White House: A Historic Guide
    Cecil Stoughton
    West Wing
    Roosevelt Room
    Presidential Seal
    WHHA
    This photograph is of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy admiring their copies of the first edition of "The White House: A Historic Guide." The publication serves as a companion book for tours of the White House, providing history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture. The presentation of the first edition took place in the Fish Room, now known as the Roosevelt Room and was photographed by Cecil Stoughton on June 28, 1962.
  • President Kennedy at the Resolute Desk
    Cecil Stoughton
    furniture
    West Wing
    Resolute Desk
    Oval Office
    case goods
    In this photograph taken circa 1962, President John F. Kennedy sits at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. The desk was made from the oak timbers of the British ship H.M.S. Resolute and sent as a gift to President Rutherford B. Hayes from Queen Victoria in 1880. For her first redecoration of the Oval Office in early 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and interior designer Sister Parish had the desk relocated from the Ground Floor to a place of prominence in the Oval Office.
  • Presentation of the First Edition of The White House: A Historic Guide
    Cecil Stoughton
    West Wing
    Roosevelt Room
    WHHA
    Presidential Seal
    This photograph is of Dr. Melville Bell Grosvenor, president and editor of the National Geographic Society, handing First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy a copy of the first edition of "The White House: A Historic Guide." The publication serves as a companion book for tours of the White House, providing a history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture. The presentation of the first edition took place in the Fish Room, now known as the Roosevelt, and was photographed by Cecil Stoughton on June 28, 1962. Behind them are President John F. Kennedy; David E. Finley, chairman of the board of directors of the White House Historical Association; Lorraine Waxman Pearce, curator of the White House; Dr. Leonard Carmichael, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and member of the board of directors of the White House Historical Association; Melvin M. Payne, executive vice president and secretary of the National Geographic Society; (partially visible) Nash Castro, assistant regional director of the National Park Service and administrative officer of the White House Historical Association.
  • The Kennedys in the Yellow Oval Room
    Cecil Stoughton
    refurbishment
    lighting
    candelabra
    Yellow Oval Room
    Second Floor
    restoration
    This photograph of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy posing for a portrait in the recently completed Yellow Oval Room was taken by Cecil Stoughton on March 28, 1963. In the background can be seen the Kennedy’s French interior designer Stéphane Boudin’s window treatment and a pedestal candelabra. The Yellow Oval Room has served as a family library, study, and sitting room. Under the direction of Mrs. Kennedy, it was made into a formal drawing room for the first family. The room is also where the president greets guests of honor before State Dinners. The room's color scheme echoes the yellow damask furnishings and curtains selected by First Lady Dolley Madison.
  • Presentation of the First Edition of The White House: A Historic Guide
    Abbie Rowe
    West Wing
    Roosevelt Room
    WHHA
    This photograph is of President John F. Kennedy delivering remarks at the presentation of the first edition of "The White House: A Historic Guide”. The publication serves as a companion book for tours of the White House, providing a history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture. The event took place in the Fish Room, now known as the Roosevelt, and was photographed by Abbie Rowe on June 28, 1962. Behind him are First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Dr. Melville Bell Grosvenor, president and editor of the National Geographic Society. Both the President and Mrs. Kennedy are standing with others. From left to right: David E. Finley, chairman of the board of directors of the White House Historical Association; Lorraine W. Pearce, curator of the White House; Dr. Leonard Carmichael, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and member of the board of directors of the White House Historical Association; Melvin M. Payne, executive vice-president and secretary of the National Geographic Society; Nash Castro, assistant regional director of the National Park Service and administrative officer of the White House Historical Association; T. Sutton Jett, regional director of the National Park Service and executive secretary of the White House Historical Association; and Robert L. Breeden, assistant illustrations editor of the National Geographic Society.
  • President Kennedy Presented with Gifts at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner
    Abbie Rowe
    lighting
    sconces
    presidential gifts
    This photograph of Garnett D. Horner, reporter for the Washington Star and out-going president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, presenting two silver lanterns to President John F. Kennedy at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner was taken by Abbie Rowe on February 25, 1961. The lanterns are replicas of those hung in the Old North Church of Boston on April 18, 1775, that would signal the patriots of Paul Revere’s ride to warn Lexington and Concord. The lanterns were electrified and installed as wall-mounted sconces in the Oval Office.
  • President Kennedy Presents the Presidential “Citation of Merit”
    Abbie Rowe
    State Floor
    Blue Room
    ceremonies
    merits & awards
    This photograph is of President Kennedy presenting the Presidential “Citation of Merit” to diplomat Florence Jaffray Hurst Harriman, in recognition of her distinguished service to the United States. The ceremony took place in the completed Blue Room, part of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration program, and was photographed by Abbie Rowe on April 18, 1963. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion and is famous for its oval shape, central location, and views of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial through its South Portico windows.
  • President Kennedy Delivers Filmed Remarks in the Rose Garden
    Cecil Stoughton
    sports
    press
    military
    South Grounds
    Rose Garden
    This photograph, taken by Cecil Stoughton on October 11, 1963, shows President John F. Kennedy preparing to deliver filmed remarks in the Rose Garden. President Kennedy stands on the steps leading up to the Oval Office behind a man with a clapperboard; as photographers prepare in the foreground. On that day, President Kennedy delivered remarks for the National Meeting of the Association of the United States Army, and in support of fundraising efforts to send American athletes to the 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
  • President Kennedy Signs Joint Resolution in Support of Detroit's 1968 Olympic Bid
    Robert L. Knudsen
    Congress
    Michigan
    sports
    Detroit
    Cabinet Room
    West Wing
    signing
    In this photograph, taken by Robert L. Knudsen on September 16, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signs a joint resolution in support of the city of Detroit's bid to host the 1968 Summer Olympic Games. During the signing ceremony in the Cabinet Room, President Kennedy delivered filmed remarks for members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Letters from President Kennedy were also sent to members of the IOC along with Detroit's promotional brochure materials. Despite the president's endorsement, the IOC selected Mexico City to host the 1968 Summer Olympic Games on October 18, 1963. Pictured here behind President Kennedy are officials from Michigan, from left to right: Representative James G. O'Hara, Representative Lucien N. Nedzi, Senator Pat McNamara (partially hidden), Mayor Jerry Cavanagh of Detroit, Senator Philip A. Hart, Representative Martha W. Griffiths, Representative Neil Staebler, and Representative Harold M. Ryan.