• Red Room Decorated for the Holidays, Ford Administration
    Karl Schumacher
    winter holidays
    decorations
    State Floor
    Christmas
    Red Room
    This photograph of the Red Room decorated for the holidays was taken by Karl Schumacher on December 13, 1974 during the Gerald R. Ford administration. The decorations included a patchwork quilt on the table, tabletop topiaries with cranberries, and ivy on the mantel. First Lady Betty Ford selected handmade crafts as the theme for the holiday decor. The theme promoted Americana and provided inspiration for thrifty decorations, as many households limited their holiday budgets due to a poor economy.
  • State Dining Room Decorated for the Holidays, Ford Administration
    Karl Schumacher
    Christmas
    State Floor
    decorations
    winter holidays
    State Dining Room
    This photograph of Christmas decorations in the State Dining Room was taken by Karl Schumacher on December 13, 1974. A patchwork quilt is on the table, with dolls of Mr. and Mrs. Clause and elves as a centerpiece. The fireplace mantel is decorated with candles and a garland of poinsettias and ivy. The walls, sconces, and chandelier are also decorated with garlands, alongside a topiary made from poinsettias in the corner of the room. First Lady Betty Ford selected handmade crafts as the theme for the holiday decor. The theme promoted Americana and provided inspiration for thrifty decorations, as many households limited their holiday budgets due to a poor economy.
  • View of the Grand Staircase from the Entrance Hall
    Karl Schumacher
    winter holidays
    decorations
    State Floor
    Christmas
    Entrance Hall
    Grand Staircase
    This photograph taken by Karl Schumacher shows the view of the Grand Staircase from the Entrance Hall decorated for Christmas on December 13, 1974. The Grand Staircase was trimmed with garlands and bows. The light standards flanking the doorway are decorated with a garland and topped with foil angels and candles. First Lady Betty Ford selected handmade crafts as the theme for the holiday decor. The theme promoted Americana and provided inspiration for thrifty decorations, as many households limited their holiday budgets due to a poor economy.
  • Preparations for an East Room Wedding Reception
    Karl Schumacher
    wedding
    East Room
    State Floor
    This photograph taken on June 11, 1971 by Karl Schumacher shows preparations for the wedding reception of Tricia Nixon and Edward Cox in the East Room of the White House. Their wedding -- which took place the next day -- was the 16th documented wedding to take place at the White House and the first to be held in the Rose Garden or outdoors. Nixon was the eldest daughter of President Richard M. Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon. Approximately 400 guests watched the first daughter marry Edward Cox, then a law student, in the Rose Garden the following day.
  • Stereograph of the State Dining Room
    John Fillis Jarvis
    Underwood & Underwood
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    This stereograph of the State Dining Room is labeled "State Dining Room in the President's Mansion, Washington, D.C.," and was published by John Fillis Jarvis. The table is set with dinner plates from the Rutherford B. Hayes state china service and the Dorflinger glassware, first purchased during the Abraham Lincoln administration, for a formal luncheon on January 6, 1881. The place setting at the lower left is the “raccoon” dinner plate from the Hayes service. The State Dining Room is located on the State Floor of the White House. The room is often the setting for state or official dinners and is the second largest room in the White House.
  • Floral Arrangements in the Green Room
    Robert L. Knudsen
    meals
    flowers
    decorations
    State Floor
    Green Room
    This photograph is of floral arrangements in the Green Room was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on March 20, 1962. The Green and Red Rooms were decorated for a luncheon in honor of Sylvanus Olympio, President of Togo. The Green Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. It was the first room named after the color of its textiles and has Federal style furnishings. The elegant but relaxed parlor is used for small gatherings, interviews, and teas.
  • Blue Room, John F. Kennedy Administration
    Robert L. Knudsen
    restoration
    refurbishment
    State Floor
    Blue Room
    textiles
    This photograph of the Blue Room was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on June 4, 1963, following its restoration under the guidance of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy worked with French interior designer Stéphane Boudin on the restoration of the White House. The continuous valance encircling the top of the room was a technique used by Boudin to unify the room. A 19th-century Savonnerie carpet, a gift of Mary Lasker, was placed on the floor at the center of the room. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The oval-shaped parlor has been known as the Blue Room since Martin Van Buren’s 1837 redecoration. The room is often used for receptions, photo opportunities, and during the holiday season is home to the official White House Christmas Tree.
  • Family Dining Room, Kennedy Administration
    Robert L. Knudsen
    refurbishment
    State Floor
    Family Dining Room
    textiles
    This photograph, taken by Robert L. Knudsen on August 28, 1963, shows the Family Dining Room on the State Floor following the refurbishment and repurposing of the room during the John F. Kennedy administrations. The redecoration of the room followed a vibrant yellow color scheme, featuring a gold lattice and pink rose rug personally selected for the room by interior designer Sister Parish. Other additions to the room included yellow silk curtains, a French white and dark green marble mantel, a New York convex mirror, and an 1859 portrait of Virginia planter Brig. Gen. John Hartwell Cocke by artist Edward Troye, From 1825 to 1962, presidents and their families traditionally dined in the Old Family Dining Room. In 1962 with the addition of a new private family dining room on the Second Floor of the White House, the room was repurposed for small official dinners, working lunches, and also serves as a staging area for state dinners. Located on the State Floor of the White House, the room features architectural details such as elegant plasterwork and vaulted ceilings. During the Barack Obama administration, the room was opened to public tours for the first time.
  • Family Dining Room Set for President Kennedy's Funeral Reception
    Robert L. Knudsen
    receptions
    funerals
    Family Dining Room
    State Floor
    This photograph, taken by Robert L. Knudsen on November 25, 1963, shows the table in the Family Dining Room set with refreshments for a reception that followed President John F. Kennedy's State Funeral. Following his assassination in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963, Kennedy's body lay in state in the East Room of the White House and the United States Capitol Building prior to burial at Arlington Cemetery three days later. The funeral service was held at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The design of the room reflects its appearance after First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy repurposed the space into a dining room for small functions and a staging area for state dinners. The redecoration of the room followed a vibrant yellow color scheme, featuring a gold lattice and pink rose rug personally selected for the room by interior designer Sister Parish. Other additions to the room included yellow silk curtains, a French white and dark green marble mantel, a New York convex mirror, and an 1859 portrait of Virginia planter Brig. Gen. John Hartwell Cocke by artist Edward Troye.
  • Family Dining Room Set for President Kennedy's Funeral Reception
    Robert L. Knudsen
    Family Dining Room
    State Floor
    funerals
    receptions
    This photograph, taken by Robert L. Knudsen on November 25, 1963, shows the table in the Family Dining Room set with refreshments for a reception that followed President John F. Kennedy's State Funeral. Following his assassination in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963, Kennedy's body lay in state in the East Room of the White House and the United States Capitol Building prior to burial at Arlington Cemetery three days later. The funeral service was held at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The design of the room reflects its appearance after First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy repurposed the space into a dining room for small functions and a staging area for state dinners. The redecoration of the room followed a vibrant yellow color scheme, featuring a gold lattice and pink rose rug personally selected for the room by interior designer Sister Parish. Other additions to the room included yellow silk curtains, a French white and dark green marble mantel, a New York convex mirror, and an 1859 portrait of Virginia planter Brig. Gen. John Hartwell Cocke by artist Edward Troye.
  • Detail of the Red Room, Obama Administration
    Bruce White
    painting
    State Floor
    Red Room
    furniture
    seats
    tables
    This detail of the Red Room was taken in 2009 by Bruce White. In this shot are a guéridon (small, circular French table) made by Charles Honoré Lannuier, an American Empire style sofa, and Thomas Moran's 1895 painting "The Three Tetons". The Red Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The room was first decorated with red fabrics during the James K. Polk administration in 1845. The space is often filled with furnishings in the American “Empire” or “Grecian” style. The parlor has been used for intimate receptions, teas, and meetings.
  • Damaged Girandole Mirror in the Red Room
    Cecil Stoughton
    mirrors
    furnishings
    State Floor
    Red Room
    This photograph of the Red Room taken by Cecil Stoughton on November 5, 1963, illustrates the threat to publicly displayed antiques. A visitor hurled a decorative urn at a girandole mirror, resulting in its near destruction. The Red Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The room was first decorated with red fabrics during the James K. Polk administration in 1845. The space is often filled with furnishings in the American “Empire” or “Grecian” style. The parlor has been used for intimate receptions, teas, and meetings.
  • Blue Room, John F. Kennedy Administration
    Cecil Stoughton
    seats
    restoration
    refurbishment
    State Floor
    Blue Room
    furniture
    This photograph of the Blue Room was taken by Cecil Stoughton in December 1962, prior to its restoration during the John F. Kennedy administration. As part of the restoration, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy publicized her search for the Bellangé furniture suite purchased for the Blue Room during the James Monroe administration. Mrs. Kennedy eventually received a donation of two armchairs and two side chairs from the original suite. In 1962 Max Schneider & Son were commissioned to make additional reproductions for the Blue Room. 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.
  • Newly Installed Mantel in the State Dining Room
    Abbie Rowe
    restoration
    mantels
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    refurbishment
    This photograph of the newly-installed mantel in the State Dining Room was taken by Abbie Rowe on July 2, 1962. The mantel was a gift of both the architecture firm Steinmann, Cain & White and the Marble Industry Board of New York. The new mantel was installed as part of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration program. The State Dining Room is located on the State Floor of the White House. The room is often the setting for state or official dinners and is the second largest room in the White House.
  • Interpretive Panel in the Green Room
    Abbie Rowe
    Green Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of an interpretive panel providing information about the Green Room was taken by Abbie Rowe on September 6, 1963, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The Green Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. It was the first room named after the color of its textiles and has Federal-style furnishings. The elegant but relaxed parlor is used for small gatherings, interviews, and teas.
  • New Acquisitions in the Old Family Dining Room
    Robert L. Knudsen
    State Floor
    Family Dining Room
    mirrors
    furnishings
    furniture
    This photograph of a recently acquired serpentine chest and 18th-century looking glass was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on August 9, 1961 in the Old Family Dining Room. From 1825 to 1962, presidents and their families traditionally dined in the Old Family Dining Room. In 1962, with the addition of a new private family dining room on the Second Floor of the White House, the room was repurposed for small official dinners, working lunches, and also serves as a staging area for state dinners. Located on the State Floor of the White House, the room features architectural details such as elegant plasterwork and vaulted ceilings. During the Barack Obama administration, the room was opened to public tours for the first time.
  • Red Room, John F. Kennedy Administration
    Robert L. Knudsen
    restoration
    flowers
    State Floor
    Red Room
    refurbishment
    meals
    decorations
    This photograph of the Red Room in the early stages of redecoration was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on March 15, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The sconces in the room were raised to accommodate paintings while the carpet was designed for the White House by Tiffany Studios during the Calvin Coolidge administration. The room also features flower arrangements that were placed there for a private dinner in honor of Prince Stanisław Albrecht (Stanislas Albert) Radziwiłł and Princess Lee Bouvier Radziwiłł.
  • East Room, John F. Kennedy Administration
    Robert L. Knudsen
    East Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of the East Room was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on August 14, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The East Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The room is the largest room in the White House and is often used as a ceremonial space. The room is painted white and has 18th century French and English-inspired ornate walls and ceiling. To make way for temporary furniture for ceremonies and holiday decorations, the East Room is usually sparsely furnished.
  • Floral Arrangements in the Green Room
    Robert L. Knudsen
    flowers
    State Floor
    Green Room
    meals
    This photograph is of the Green Room decorated with flower arrangements for a luncheon in honor of President Kekkonen of Finland. It was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on October 16, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The room also featured two of the eight Paul Cézanne paintings bequeathed to the White House in 1928 by American ex-patriot Charles A. Loeser. The paintings were previously held at the National Gallery of Art. The Green Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. It was the first room named after the color of its textiles and has Federal-style furnishings. The elegant but relaxed parlor is used for small gatherings, interviews, and teas.
  • Blue Room, John F. Kennedy Administration
    Robert L. Knudsen
    Blue Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of the Blue Room was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on November 2, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The Blue Room is captured prior to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's refurbishment of the room into a ceremonial one with French Empire furnishings from the James Monroe administration. 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.
  • Red Room, John F. Kennedy Administration
    Robert L. Knudsen
    State Floor
    Red Room
    This photograph of the Red Room was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on November 2, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The Red Room is captured prior to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's refurbishment and restoration of the State Floor. The Red Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The room was first decorated with red fabrics during the James K. Polk administration in 1845. The space is often filled with furnishings in the American “Empire” or “Grecian” style. The parlor has been used for intimate receptions, teas, and meetings.
  • Green Room, John F. Kennedy Administration
    Robert L. Knudsen
    State Floor
    Green Room
    This photograph of the Green Room was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on November 2, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The Green Room is captured prior to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's refurbishment and restoration of the State Floor. The Green Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. It was the first room named after the color of its textiles and has Federal-style furnishings. The elegant but relaxed parlor is used for small gatherings, interviews, and teas.
  • Settings in the Blue Room for Private Event for Lee Radziwill
    Robert L. Knudsen
    State Floor
    Blue Room
    meals
    flowers
    decorations
    This photograph is of the Blue Room decorated for a private dinner and dance for Princess Lee Radziwill, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's sister. Robert L. Knudsen captured the settings and decorations on November 11, 1961. 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.
  • Table Settings in the Old Family Dining Room
    Robert L. Knudsen
    tableware
    place settings
    State Floor
    Family Dining Room
    flowers
    This photograph of the Old Family Dining Room and table settings was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on December 12, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. From around 1825 to 1962, presidents and their families traditionally dined in the Old Family Dining Room. In 1962 with the addition of a new private family dining room on the Second Floor of the White House, the room was re-purposed for small official dinners, working lunches, and a staging area for state dinners. Located on the State Floor of the White House, the room features architectural details such as elegant plaster work and vaulted ceilings. During the Barack Obama administration, the room was opened to public tours for the first time.
  • Green Room, John F. Kennedy Administration
    Robert L. Knudsen
    State Floor
    Green Room
    flowers
    decorations
    This photograph of the Green Room decorated with red flowers was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on December 12, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The Green Room is captured prior to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's refurbishment and restoration of the State Floor. The Green Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. It was the first room named after the color of its textiles and has Federal-style furnishings. The elegant but relaxed parlor is used for small gatherings, interviews, and teas.