• President Kennedy Meets with Ambassador of Ireland in the Oval Office
    Cecil Stoughton
    West Wing
    St. Patrick's Day
    Oval Office
    presidential gifts
    This White House photograph of President John F. Kennedy meeting with Ambassador Thomas J. Kiernan of Ireland was taken by Cecil Stoughton on March 17, 1961 in the Oval Office. Ambassador Kiernan presented President Kennedy with an arrangement of shamrocks and a scroll displaying the Kennedy family coat of arms and signed by the chief herald of Ireland, Gerard Slevin.
  • President John F. Kennedy and Ambassador of Ireland Thomas J. Kiernan Meet in the Oval Office, 1961
    Cecil Stoughton
    St. Patrick's Day
    presidential gifts
    This close-up photograph of the scroll presented to President John F. Kennedy by Ambassador Thomas J. Kiernan of Ireland was taken by Cecil Stoughton on March 17, 1961. The scroll was signed by the chief herald of Ireland and features the Kennedy family coat of arms. Ambassador Kiernan presented the scroll and an arrangement of shamrocks to President Kennedy in the Oval Office of the White House that St. Patrick's Day.
  • President Johnson Meets with Ambassador of Ireland
    Cecil Stoughton
    Oval Office
    St. Patrick's Day
    presidential gifts
    West Wing
    In this photograph taken by Cecil Stoughton, Ambassador William P. Fay of Ireland presents President Lyndon B. Johnson with an engraved Waterford Crystal bowl filled with shamrocks on March 17, 1965 in the Oval Office. The gift was from the President Eamon de Valera of Ireland on St. Patrick's Day.
  • President Johnson Meets with Civil Rights Leaders
    Cecil Stoughton
    meetings
    West Wing
    Cabinet Room
    civil rights
    In this photograph, taken by Cecil Stoughton on June 24, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with leaders from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in the Cabinet Room of the West Wing. In attendance was Roy Wilkins, executive director of the NAACP, and over 30 members of the organization's senior leadership including members of the NAACP Board of Directors and vice presidents. The leaders had gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 55th annual convention of the NAACP, where they sought protection from Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and the federal government for African Americans in Mississippi following the disappearance of civil rights activists James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, who were later confirmed to be murdered.
  • Mrs. Kennedy with Members of AIID in the Refurbished Library
    Cecil Stoughton
    refurbishment
    Library
    Ground Floor
    restoration
    This photograph, taken by Cecil Stoughton on June 12, 1962, shows First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy with members of the American Institute of Interior Designers (AIID) at the opening of the finished White House Library. The refurbishment project was gifted by the AIID and directed by Henry Frances du Pont. The new features in the room included a donated circa 1810 octagonal table, a French Aubusson rug, and a newly installed chandelier.
  • Meeting About the Proposed National Cultural Center
    Cecil Stoughton
    presidential buildings
    State Floor
    John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
    East Room
    arts & culture
    This photograph of President John F. Kennedy talking with guests during a meeting on the National Cultural Center was taken by Cecil Stoughton in the East Room on October 8, 1963. The National Cultural Center would later become later known as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as a memorial to President Kennedy. 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.
  • 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.
  • Reception for the Centennial Year of the Emancipation Proclamation
    Cecil Stoughton
    State Floor
    Green Room
    receptions
    This photograph of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in the recently restored Green Room was taken by Cecil Stoughton on February 12, 1963 during a reception to mark the centennial year of the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, and granted freedom to enslaved people residing in Confederate states. 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.
  • The Kennedys Attend Staff Christmas Reception
    Cecil Stoughton
    winter holidays
    State Floor
    Entrance Hall
    Christmas
    parties
    This photograph by Cecil Stoughton shows President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy attending the White House staff Christmas reception. The reception took place on December 12, 1962, in the Entrance Hall of the White House. The official White House Christmas tree was in the Entrance Hall that year due to work being done in the Blue Room, where the tree traditionally resides. This would be their last Christmas celebration in the White House.
  • President and Mrs. Kennedy with Project Mercury Astronauts
    Cecil Stoughton
    astronauts
    Yellow Oval Room
    Second Floor
    White House Guests
    In this photograph, taken by Cecil Stoughton on May 21, 1963, President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy entertain astronauts Maj. L. Gordon Cooper, Cmdr. Alan B. Shepard, Maj. Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Lt. Cmdr. M. Scott Carpenter, Maj, Donald K. “Deke” Slayton, Cmdr. Walter M. Schirra and their spouses in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House. Earlier that day, President Kennedy presented the NASA Distinguished Service Medal to Maj. Cooper for his success with the Project Mercury orbital mission. Maj. Cooper flew the Mercury-Atlas 9 ("Faith 7"), which was the final Mercury flight. He flew just over 34 hours and orbited the earth 22 times before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. The other astronauts were also participants of Project Mercury and took part in early United States spaceflight missions. This photograph shows the president, first lady, and their guests relaxing in the Yellow Oval Room shortly after it was restored into a formal drawing room by Mrs. Kennedy.
  • 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.
  • State Funeral for President John F. Kennedy
    Cecil Stoughton
    military
    lighting
    funerals
    Presidential Seal
    Cross Hall
    torcheres
    This photograph of the entrance to the Blue Room as seen from the Cross Hall was taken by Cecil Stoughton on November 24, 1963. The Presidential Seal hangs above the entryway, which has been draped in black mourning crepe for the State Funeral of President John F. Kennedy. 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 National Cemetery. This photograph was taken on the day the president's body departed from the White House to lie in state at the Capitol. By the flags on either side of the door are a gilded bronze light standards created by McKim, Mead & White for the 1902 White House renovations. The candle arms of the light standards were extended during First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's redecoration of the White House.
  • State Funeral for President John F. Kennedy
    Cecil Stoughton
    Blue Room
    funerals
    State Floor
    This photograph, taken on November 24, 1963, shows the Blue Room of the White House dressed in mourning for the State Funeral for President John F. Kennedy. Black crepe hangs from the central chandelier and is draped on the mantelpiece. 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 National Cemetery. This photograph was taken on the day the president's body departed from the White House to lie in state at the Capitol.
  • Riderless Horse Equipment for Kennedy Funeral Procession
    Cecil Stoughton
    funerals
    Library
    Ground Floor
    This photograph shows the caparison that was carried by riderless horse Black Jack during President John F. Kennedy's funeral procession on November 25, 1963. The materials, seen here on a circa 1810 octagonal library in the Library, include a saddle, blanket, sword, boots, and spurs. After the funeral, the equipment was presented by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment Old Guard to assistant military aide Lt. Col. James M. Connell. Connell also served as military aide to General of the Army Omar N. Eradley and President Lyndon B. Johnson.
  • Reception Following Funeral for President John F. Kennedy
    Cecil Stoughton
    First Family
    Red Room
    State Floor
    funerals
    Head of State
    In this photograph, taken on November 25, 1963, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and her brother-in-law Senator Edward Kennedy receive guests in the Red Room following the State Funeral for President John F. Kennedy. Here, Mrs. Kennedy shakes hands with Prince Georg Valdemar of Denmark. Also pictured among the distinguished guests are Danish Prime Minister Jens Otto Krag; Prince Jean of Luxembourg; Prince Moulay Abdallah of Morocco; U.S. Chief of Protocol Angier Biddle Duke; and Brig. Gen. Godfrey T. McHugh, Air Force aide to President Kennedy. 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 National Cemetery three days later. A funeral service was held at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
  • President Kennedy Dedicates State Dining Room Mantle
    Cecil Stoughton
    restoration
    refurbishment
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    mantels
    This photograph was taken by Cecil Stoughton on July 2, 1962, during the dedication ceremony for a new marble mantle in the State Dining Room. The mantel was a joint gift of the architecture firm Steinmann, Cain and White and the Marble Industry Board of New York. Pictured between President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in front of the mantel is Alice Roosevelt Longworth, eldest daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. The mantel was a modified reproduction of an earlier mantel created by McKim, Mead & White for President Roosevelt's White House renovations in 1902.
  • Reception for the Centennial Year of the Emancipation Proclamation
    Cecil Stoughton
    State Floor
    Cross Hall
    receptions
    This photograph of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy receiving guests in the Cross Hall during a reception to mark the centennial year of the Emancipation Proclamation was taken by Cecil Stoughton on February 12, 1963. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, and granted freedom to enslaved people residing in Confederate states. Located on the State Floor of the White House, the Cross Hall runs the length of the Executive Mansion and offers views of the East, Red, Green, and Blue Rooms.
  • Reception for the Centennial Year of the Emancipation Proclamation
    Cecil Stoughton
    State Floor
    Blue Room
    receptions
    This photograph of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy receiving guests in the recently restored Blue Room during a reception to mark the centennial year of the Emancipation Proclamation was taken by Cecil Stoughton on February 12, 1963. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, and granted freedom to enslaved people residing in Confederate states. 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 Johnson Holds Ceremony in the Cabinet Room
    Cecil Stoughton
    ceremonies
    West Wing
    Cabinet Room
    refurbishment
    This photograph of President Lyndon B. Johnson in the recently redecorated Cabinet Room was taken by Cecil Stoughton in 1964. President Johnson attended a ceremony in the room, which was redecorated by French interior decorator Stéphane Boudin during the John F. Kennedy administration. In this photograph, Boudin’s draperies, carpeting, and mirrored glass transom are visible.
  • 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 Johnson Hosts Reception for Olympic Medal Winners
    Cecil Stoughton
    sports
    State Floor
    East Room
    receptions
    In this photograph, taken by Cecil Stoughton on December 1, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson mingle with guests during a reception for Olympic medal winners in the East Room. President Johnson hosted the luncheon and reception to congratulate approximately 100 U.S. Olympic medalists for their achievements at the 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. At the 1964 Tokyo Games, the American team took home 90 medals, including 36 gold medals.
  • President Johnson Hosts Reception for Olympic Medal Winners
    Cecil Stoughton
    sports
    receptions
    East Room
    State Floor
    In this photograph, taken by Cecil Stoughton on December 1, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson addresses a group of approximately 100 Olympic medal winners in the East Room. First Lady Lady Bird Johnson can be seen seated in the first row of the audience. President Johnson hosted the luncheon and reception to congratulate the athletes for their achievements at the 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. At the 1964 Tokyo Games, the American team took home 90 medals, including 36 gold medals.
  • President Johnson Hosts Reception for Olympic Medal Winners
    Cecil Stoughton
    sports
    receptions
    State Floor
    East Room
    In this photograph, taken by Cecil Stoughton on December 1, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson receive guests in the Cross Hall prior to a reception for Olympic medal winners in the East Room. President Johnson hosted the luncheon and reception to congratulate approximately 100 U.S. Olympic medalists for their achievements at the 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. At the 1964 Tokyo Games, the American team took home 90 medals, including 36 gold medals.
  • Civil Rights Demonstrators Stage a Sit-in Protest in the Ground Floor Corridor
    Cecil Stoughton
    protest
    Ground Floor Corridor
    Ground Floor
    civil rights
    This black-and-white photograph, taken by Cecil Stougton on March 11, 1965, shows twelve young protesters staging a sit-in demonstration in the Ground Floor Corridor of the White House. The demonstrators were protesting on behalf of civil rights for African Americans, following violence by law enforcement officers on nonviolent demonstrators in Selma, Alabama on March 7, 1965. The protesters entered the White House through the visitor’s entrance as part of regularly scheduled visitor hours from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. At 4:55pm, President Lyndon B. Johnson summoned Secret Service Agent Rufus Youngblood with instructions to remove the protesters.