• Black Cloth Composite, White House Collection
    White House Historical Association
    north view
    funerals
    WHHA
    State Floor
    North Portico
    East Room
    White House Collection
    This composite is made of fashion plates showing mourning wear, an illustration of the President Abraham's Lincoln lying in state in the East Room of the White House, and the North Portico draped in black cloth in mourning for President James Garfield. The image was used for the digital exhibit called "Black Cloth: Mourning Dress and Drapery at the White House." It may only be used for press and publicity purposes related to the exhibit. All other uses must be approved by the White House Historical Association in writing.
  • President Carter Arrives at Camp David to Discuss Iran Hostage Crisis
    Marion S. Trikosko
    Camp David
    travel
    meetings
    crisis & controversy
    This photograph by Marion S. Trikosko captures President Jimmy Carter arriving at Camp David in Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland on November 23, 1979. Accompanying President Carter on the helicopter trip from the White House to Camp David was, from left to right, Secretary of Defense Harold Brown, Secretary of State Cyrus R. Vance, and Vice President Walter F. Mondale. The group was on hand to meet and discuss the Iran Hostage Crisis, which began earlier that month, on November 4. The hostages would be held for 444 days, until January 20, 1981. Camp David was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, then called Shangri-La, as a presidential retreat. President Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed the retreat Camp David after his grandson, David Eisenhower.
  • Mrs. Obama Announces the Academy Award for Best Picture
    Pete Souza
    arts & culture
    Ground Floor
    Diplomatic Reception Room
    ceremonies
    merits & awards
    In this photograph by Pete Souza, First Lady Michelle Obama announces the Academy Award winner for Best Picture on February 24, 2013. Her appearance on the live televised Oscar ceremony was filmed in the Diplomatic Reception Room on the Ground Floor of the White House. The winner of Best Picture, "Argo", was a film about the rescue of six United States diplomats who sought safety at the home of the Canadian ambassador to Iran during the 1979 to 1981 Iran Hostage Crisis in Tehran.
  • South Lawn Ceremony for Freed American Hostages
    Unknown
    South Grounds
    South Lawn
    South Portico
    military
    honor guards
    This photograph was taken at a ceremony held on the South Lawn of the White House in honor of the freed American hostages who were held in Iran. The ceremony, held on January 27, 1981, included a speech by President Ronald Reagan, who was just seven days into his first administration. 66 United States citizens, diplomats, and military personnel were held in the U.S. embassy in Tehran beginning on November 4, 1979 and lasting for 444 days. On January 20, 1981, the remaining 52 hostages still in captivity were finally released.
  • President Ford Discusses Aid to Cambodia with Senators and Advisors
    Bruce Dale
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    staff
    West Wing
    Oval Office
    Congress
    In this photograph, taken March 6, 1975 by Bruce Dale, President Gerald R. Ford meets with United States Senators and advisors to discuss aid to Cambodia. Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota; Senator Clifford P. Case of New Jersey; Senator John Sparkman of Alabama; John Ortho Marsh, Jr., counselor to the president; Max Friedersdorf, White House assistant for Congressional Relations; Lt. Gen. Brent Snowcroft, deputy assistant to the president for National Security Affairs; and William T. Kendall, deputy assistant for Legislative Affairs. Earlier, Humphrey had served as Vice President of the United States under President Lyndon B. Johnson.
  • Robert Redford Visits West Wing Staff
    Bruce Dale
    staff
    White House Guests
    West Wing
    staff of FLOTUS and POTUS
    This photograph of members of the West Wing staff meeting with actor Robert Redford was taken on March 6, 1975 by Bruce Dale during the administration of Gerald R. Ford. The group met with the actor in an office in the West Wing. President Ford's daughter, Susan Ford, and press secretary Ron Nessen were also on hand for the meeting.
  • Lynda Johnson and Chuck Robb Cutting Wedding Cake
    Unknown
    wedding
    military
    East Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of Lynda Johnson and Capt. Charles S. Robb cutting their wedding cake was taken on December 9, 1967 in the East Room. Per Marine Corps tradition, the couple uses a saber to cut through the five-layer cake, as they become the 15th couple to be married in the White House. Immediately following the cake-cutting ceremony, the couple performed their first dance.
  • 2023 Blue Room Holiday Decorations, Biden Administration
    David Wiegold
    State Floor
    Blue Room
    Blue Room Christmas Tree
    Christmas
    decorations
    winter holidays
    This photograph of the Blue Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. The Blue Room is captured through one of the doorways leading to the Red Room. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The Blue Room Christmas Tree was an 18½ foot Fraser Fir from Fleetwood, North Carolina with decorations representing the country through merry landscapes, neighborhoods, and the names of every state, territory, and the District of Columbia. A replica of a vintage passenger train circled the base of the tree. The train set was loaned by the Train Collectors Association. Siblings Amber Scott and Alex Church of Cline Church Nursery presented the tree to Dr. Biden on November 20, 2023.
  • Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty is Signed on the North Lawn
    Unknown
    Head of State
    North Lawn
    This is a photograph of President Jimmy Carter clasping hands with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the signing of the Egypt-Israeli Peace Treaty on the North Lawn, March 26, 1979.
  • The Carter Family at the Democratic National Convention
    Warren K. Leffler
    First Family
    New York City
    New York
    This photograph of the Carter family was taken by Warren K. Leffler at the Democratic National Convention in New York City on July 15, 1976. In the photograph is soon-to-be president Jimmy Carter kissing his wife, Rosalynn Carter. They are surrounded by family, including President Carter's mother, Lillian, and their children Jack, James Earl III (Chip), Donnel, and Amy. Carter would go on to defeat President Gerald R. Ford in the presidential election that November and, on January 20, 1977, would be inaugurated as the 39th President of the United States.
  • President Carter with Grandson Jason at the 1977 Easter Egg Roll
    Unknown
    south lawn
    South Grounds
    Easter Egg Roll
    holidays
    First Family
    This photograph of President Jimmy Carter was taken on April 11, 1977. President Carter is captured holding his grandson, Jason Carter, on his shoulders at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House Grounds. Carter and his grandson are surrounded by a crowd of attendees and security. Jason, the son of Carter's eldest son, Jack, was around one and a half years old when this photograph was taken.
  • President Carter Lights First National Menorah
    Unknown
    winter holidays
    Hanukkah
    menorah
    Lafayette Park
    In this photograph, President Jimmy Carter lights a menorah in celebration of Hanukkah on December 17, 1979. This was the first lighting of the National Menorah, and took place in Lafayette Park, across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House. President Carter, in dressed in a tuxedo for a State Dinner held in honor of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain, put on an overcoat and walked across the street to the ceremony, which featured a small crowd of a few dozen. The lighting of the National Menorah historically takes place on the Ellipse and is overseen by a politician of the Jewish faith.
  • President and Mrs. Carter with the 1979 Blue Room Christmas Tree
    Unknown
    winter holidays
    Christmas
    decorations
    Blue Room Christmas Tree
    Blue Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter was taken in the Blue Room of the White House on December 13, 1979. In the photograph, President and Mrs. Carter pose in front of the Blue Room Christmas Tree while attending a Christmas Party for the White House Press Corps.
  • Mrs. Carter Previews the 1978 Christmas Decorations
    Jack E. Kightlinger
    Blue Room
    State Floor
    Blue Room Christmas Tree
    winter holidays
    decorations
    Christmas
    In this photograph taken on December 12, 1978, First Lady Rosalynn Carter displays a Christmas ornament in the Blue Room of the White House. Mrs. Carter was on hand to preview the holiday decorations for the press. The Blue Room Christmas Tree that year displayed antique toys on loan from the Margaret Woodbury Stone Museum, now known as the Strong Museum of National Play, in Rochester, New York.
  • 2023 Blue Room Holiday Decorations, Biden Administration
    David Wiegold
    State Floor
    Blue Room
    Blue Room Christmas Tree
    Christmas
    decorations
    winter holidays
    This photograph of the Blue Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The Blue Room Christmas Tree was an 18½ foot Fraser Fir from Fleetwood, North Carolina with decorations representing the country through merry landscapes, neighborhoods, and the names of every state, territory, and the District of Columbia. A replica of a vintage passenger train circled the base of the tree. The train set was loaned by the Train Collectors Association. Siblings Amber Scott and Alex Church of Cline Church Nursery presented the tree to Dr. Biden on November 20, 2023.
  • President Biden Arrives at the 2023 Tree Lighting
    Matthew D'Agostino
    Christmas Tree Lighting
    Christmas
    Ellipse
    winter holidays
    This photograph of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden arriving at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and concert was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on November 30, 2023. President and Dr. Biden were joined on stage by the evening's host, Mickey Guyton, to switch on the tree's lights. The celebration took place on The Ellipse, located just south of the White House. The 2023 tree lighting was the third presided over by President and Dr. Biden. They were joined in the festive celebration with performances by Darren Criss, Samara Joy, Ledisi, Maddie & Tae, St. Vincent, Joe Walsh, Dionne Warwick, and the United States Coast Guard’s Guardians Big Band.
  • 2023 Vermeil Room Holiday Decorations, Biden Administration
    David Wiegold
    winter holidays
    decorations
    Vermeil Room
    Ground Floor
    Christmas
    ornament
    This close-up photograph of the Official 2023 White House Christmas Ornament in the Vermeil Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The decorations in the Vermeil Room honored music and performance during the holiday season. A mechanical theater featuring United States Marine Band figures occupied the center of the room. Christmas trees with musical instrument ornaments also stood on both sides of the stage. The mantel, seen here was also decorated with ballerinas and music boxes.
  • 2023 Vermeil Room Holiday Decorations, Biden Administration
    David Wiegold
    winter holidays
    decorations
    Vermeil Room
    Ground Floor
    Christmas
    ornament
    This close-up photograph of the Official 2023 White House Christmas Ornament in the Vermeil Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The decorations in the Vermeil Room honored music and performance during the holiday season. A mechanical theater featuring United States Marine Band figures occupied the center of the room. Christmas trees with musical instrument ornaments also stood on both sides of the stage. The mantel, seen here was also decorated with ballerinas and music boxes.
  • 2023 Vermeil Room Holiday Decorations, Biden Administration
    David Wiegold
    winter holidays
    decorations
    Vermeil Room
    Ground Floor
    Christmas
    ornament
    This close-up photograph of the Official 2023 White House Christmas Ornament in the Vermeil Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The decorations in the Vermeil Room honored music and performance during the holiday season. A mechanical theater featuring United States Marine Band figures occupied the center of the room. Christmas trees with musical instrument ornaments also stood on both sides of the stage. The mantel, seen here was also decorated with ballerinas and music boxes.
  • Details of 2023 Vermeil Room Holiday Decorations, Biden Administration
    David Wiegold
    winter holidays
    decorations
    Vermeil Room
    Ground Floor
    Christmas
    This close-up photograph of decorations in the Vermeil Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The decorations in the Vermeil Room honored music and performance during the holiday season. A mechanical theater featuring United States Marine Band figures occupied the center of the room. Christmas trees with musical instrument ornaments also stood on both sides of the stage. The mantel was decorated with the Official 2023 White House Christmas Ornament honoring the presidency of Gerald R. Ford, as well as ballerinas, musical instruments, and sheet music on a garland.
  • Details of 2023 Vermeil Room Holiday Decorations, Biden Administration
    David Wiegold
    winter holidays
    decorations
    Vermeil Room
    Ground Floor
    Christmas
    This close-up photograph of decorations in the Vermeil Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The decorations in the Vermeil Room honored music and performance during the holiday season. A mechanical theater featuring United States Marine Band figures occupied the center of the room. Christmas trees with musical instrument ornaments also stood on both sides of the stage. The mantel was decorated with the Official 2023 White House Christmas Ornament honoring the presidency of Gerald R. Ford, as well as ballerinas, musical instruments, and sheet music on a garland.
  • Details of 2023 Vermeil Room Holiday Decorations, Biden Administration
    David Wiegold
    winter holidays
    decorations
    Vermeil Room
    Ground Floor
    Christmas
    This close-up photograph of decorations in the Vermeil Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The decorations in the Vermeil Room honored music and performance during the holiday season. A mechanical theater featuring United States Marine Band figures occupied the center of the room. Christmas trees with musical instrument ornaments also stood on both sides of the stage. The mantel was decorated with the Official 2023 White House Christmas Ornament honoring the presidency of Gerald R. Ford, as well as ballerinas, musical instruments, and sheet music on a garland.