In this photograph, White House Executive Chef René G. A. Verdon (right) and assistant chef Julius Spessot (left) stand behind a banquet table for First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s luncheon for newswomen. This luncheon took place on April 11, 1961 in the State Dining Room, just six days after Verdon’s first official meal as White House Executive Chef. This quick turnaround was expected in Verdon’s early tenure, as he was initially hired to cater the numerous meals presented after President John F. Kennedy took office. Like many White House luncheons at this time, this elegant display was presented buffet-style.

This photograph of White House Executive Chef Cristeta "Chris" Comerford was taken by Chuck Kennedy on December 3, 2014. In the photograph, Chef Comerford makes final preparations in the East Room of the White House before a Christmas holiday volunteer reception held during the Barack Obama administration.

This photograph of White House carpenter Isaac M. Avery waxing and polishing floors in the East Room was taken on August 15, 1955 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. He appears to be surrounded by cameramen in the foreground. Avery worked at the White House for 35 years, from 1930 to 1965, and six presidents.

This photograph of White House carpenter Isaac M. Avery waxing and polishing floors in the East Room was taken on August 15, 1955 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. Two unidentified colleagues are visible in the back. Avery worked at the White House for 35 years, from 1930 to 1965, and six presidents.

This photograph of White House carpenter Isaac M. Avery waxing and polishing floors in the East Room was taken on August 15, 1955 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. Two unidentified colleagues are visible in the back. Avery worked at the White House for 35 years, from 1930 to 1965, and six presidents.

This photograph of President Barack Obama greeting White House Residence staff was taken by Pete Souza on January 26, 2009. The group was gathered in the East Room of the White House just six days after President Obama's inauguration. In this photograph, Obama is shaking hands with White House calligrapher Richard T. Muffler. Muffler was a third generation White House employee (following his grandfather, Richard T. Tracey, and father, John P. Muffler, Sr.) and worked there from 1978 to 2011.

This group photograph of White House Residence staff members was taken by Pete Souza on November 28, 1988 during the Ronald Reagan administration. The group, gathered in the East Room of the White House, is composed of non-political professionals including members of the kitchen, operations, and housekeeping staff.

This photograph of White House butler Eley F. Young was taken by Bill Fitz-Patrick on January 6, 1983. Young, captured working in the East Room, was a veteran of both World War II and the Vietnam War when he applied to be a butler at the White House. He started working there as a butler's apprentice in 1967 while still enlisted in the Navy. He worked as an apprentice for three years before becoming a full-time butler, a position he held until his retirement in 1987.

This photograph is of Stewart C. Stevens sitting on scaffolding while cleaning one of the three Bohemian glass chandeliers in the East Room of the White House. Each chandelier contains around 6,000 pieces of glass. Bill Fitz-Patrick took this photograph of Stevens on December 23, 1982. Stevens cleaned and maintained the windows and chandeliers from the presidency of Richard M. Nixon until his retirement in 2002 during George W. Bush's presidency.

This photograph is of Stewart C. Stevens cleaning one of the three Bohemian glass chandeliers in the East Room of the White House. Each chandelier contains around 6,000 pieces of glass. Bill Fitz-Patrick took this photograph of Stevens on December 23, 1982 during the Ronald Reagan administration. Stevens cleaned and maintained the windows and chandeliers from the presidency of Richard M. Nixon until his retirement in 2002 during George W. Bush's presidency.

This photograph of the East Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The East Room was decorated in celebration of the 250th signing of the Declaration of Independence, with red, white, and blue Christmas trees adorning the room.

This photograph of the East Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 1, 2025 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump selected "Home is Where the Heart Is" as the 2025 holiday theme. For President and Mrs. Trump’s first winter holiday season at the White House during President Trump's second term in office, the décor was inspired by the acts of kindness, goodwill, and generosity that embody the American spirit. The East Room was decorated in celebration of the 250th signing of the Declaration of Independence, with red, white, and blue Christmas trees adorning the room.

In this photograph President Joseph R. Biden and President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic hold a joint press conference on December 1, 2022 in the East Room of the White House. The press conference was preceded by a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn where President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden welcomed Macron and Brigette Macron, spouse of the French president, for an official State Visit. The State Visit culminated in a State Dinner later that evening. This was Biden's first State Visit as president. This photograph is by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association.

This close-up photograph of snowflakes dangling in front of a window in the East Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. The captured display of snowflakes matches the East Room's decorative theme of snow. The East Room also had on display the traditional crèche.

This photograph of the gilded cornice and golden drapes adorning a window in the East Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. The elegance of the cornice and drapes reflects the East Room's role as the setting of many bill signings, receptions, performances, and other ceremonial events. For the winter holidays, the glass was decorated with snowflakes to match the East Room's theme of snow.

This close-up photograph of snowflakes dangling around a window in the East Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. The captured display of snowflakes matches the East Room's decorative theme of snow. The East Room also displayed the traditional crèche.

This photograph of the East Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Snow inspired the East Room’s decorations. Pieces of reflexive paper were attached to strings that hung from the ceiling, white and silver ornaments were placed on Christmas trees, and snowy garlands were draped over the windows and mantels. The East Room was also displayed the traditional crèche.

This photograph of the East Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Snow inspired the East Room’s decorations. Pieces of reflexive paper were attached to strings that hung from the ceiling, white and silver ornaments were placed on Christmas trees, and snowy garlands were draped over the windows and mantels. The East Room was also displayed the traditional crèche.

This close-up photograph of snowflakes dangling in front of a window in the East Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. The captured display of snowflakes matches the East Room's decorative theme of snow. The East Room also had on display the traditional crèche.

This photograph of the East Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Snow inspired the East Room’s decorations. Pieces of reflexive paper were attached to strings that hung from the ceiling, white and silver ornaments were placed on Christmas trees, and snowy garlands were draped over the windows and mantels. The East Room was also displayed the traditional crèche.

This photograph of the bottom of a Christmas tree in the East Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Snow inspired the East Room’s decorations. Pieces of reflexive paper were attached to strings and hung from the ceiling, white and silver ornaments were placed on Christmas trees, and snowy garlands were draped over the windows and mantels. The blue-and-white stand captured here was decorated with silhouettes of holding hands that echoed the annual theme of peace. The East Room also displayed the traditional crèche.

This photograph of the East Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Snow inspired the East Room’s decorations. Pieces of reflexive paper were attached to strings that hung from the ceiling, white and silver ornaments were placed on Christmas trees, and snowy garlands were draped over the windows and mantels. The East Room was also displayed the traditional crèche.

This photograph of the East Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Snow inspired the East Room’s decorations. Pieces of reflexive paper were attached to strings that hung from the ceiling, white and silver ornaments were placed on Christmas trees, and snowy garlands were draped over the windows and mantels. The East Room was also displayed the traditional crèche.

This close-up photograph of a garland decorating the mantel of the East Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Snow inspired the East Room’s decorations. Pieces of reflexive paper were attached to strings and hung from the ceiling, white and silver ornaments were placed on Christmas trees, and snowy garlands like the one captured here were draped over the windows and mantels. The East Room also displayed traditional crèche.

This photograph of a fireplace and mirror in the East Room was taken by David Wiegold on December 2, 2024 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "A Season of Peace and Light" as the 2024 holiday theme. For President and Dr. Biden’s final winter holiday season at the White House, the décor was inspired by the spirit of goodwill and gratitude and the festive opening of the doors to the President’s House. Snow inspired the East Room’s decorations. Pieces of reflexive paper were attached to strings and hung from the ceiling, white and silver ornaments were placed on Christmas trees, and snowy garlands like the ones captured here were draped over the windows and mantels. The East Room also displayed the traditional crèche.