This photograph of White House Executive Chef René Verdon and pastry chef Ferdinand Louvat was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on November 27, 1962. The chefs are photographed holding cakes for a joint birthday party for Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, Jr., the children of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Verdon worked at the White House From 1961 to 1965 while Louvat's career spanned from 1962 to 1967.

This photograph of White House butler John H. Johnson was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on November 27, 1962. Johnson, photographed in the President's Dining Room on the Second Floor of the White House, is holding a joint birthday cake for Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, Jr., the children of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

In this photograph, White House Executive Chef Roland Mesnier and pastry chef Franette McCulloch stand in the President's Dining Room holding an intricate chocolate-based dessert sculpted like a swan. This photograph was taken on January 31, 1994 during the Bill Clinton administration. The President's Dining Room is on the Second Floor residence of the White House. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.

This photograph features White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier serving a birthday cake made for First Lady Laura Welch Bush on November 4, 2001. The cake features pulled sugar flowers and a sugar portrait of Mrs. Bush's face. Mrs. Bush's birthday celebration took place in the President's Dining Room on the Second Floor of the White House. Guests included President George W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush, seen here. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.

This photograph features White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier serving a birthday cake made for First Lady Laura Welch Bush on November 4, 2001. The cake features pulled sugar flowers and a sugar portrait of Mrs. Bush's face. Mrs. Bush's birthday celebration took place in the President's Dining Room on the Second Floor of the White House. Guests included President George W. Bush, former First Lady Barbara Bush, and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson, seen here in the foreground. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.

This is a photograph of White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier setting up a private dinner for President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan in the President's Dining Room on May 30, 1981. Guests at the dinner included singer Frank Sinatra, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, violinist Isaac Stern, and artist Jamie Wyeth. The President's Dining Room is located on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion. For the full menu from this dinner, see 1140803. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.

This photograph of the President's Dining Room was likely taken during the John F. Kennedy administration. The President’s Dining Room is located on the Second Floor of the White House. Originally a bedroom, the space was converted to a private dining room, where the first family usually gathers for breakfast and lunch. The room also features a panoramic wallpaper entitled "Views of the American War of Independence" by Jean Zuber et Cie which features events from the American Revolution against the backdrop of natural landmarks. This photograph is part of the Lorraine Waxman Pearce Collection. Lorraine Waxman Pearce served as the first White House Curator from 1961 to 1962. As curator, she oversaw refurbishment projects, implemented collections policies, and collaborated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to write the first White House guidebook—a joint publication of the National Geographic Society and the White House Historical Association. Since its original publication in 1962, “The White House: An Historic Guide” has been revised, updated, and printed for over 60 years.

This photograph of First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley's bedroom was taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston circa 1897 to 1901. The bedroom, possibly the Prince of Wales Bedroom, was located on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion. The Prince of Wales Bedroom now serves as the President's Dining Room. This photograph is part of the Lorraine Waxman Pearce Collection. The original photograph can be found at the Library of Congress. Lorraine Waxman Pearce served as the first White House Curator from 1961 to 1962. As curator, she oversaw refurbishment projects, implemented collections policies, and collaborated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to write the first White House guidebook—a joint publication of the National Geographic Society and the White House Historical Association. Since its original publication in 1962, “The White House: An Historic Guide” has been revised, updated, and printed for over 60 years.

This photograph is of a sideboard in the President's Dining Room decorated with pieces of silver. The mahogany sideboard has an inlaid eagle and belonged to Daniel Webster. Behind the sideboard is a scene from the panoramic wallpaper entitled "Views of the American War of Independence" by Jean Zuber et Cie which features events from the American Revolution against the backdrop of natural landmarks. George F. Mobley took this photograph in April 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. This photograph is part of the Lorraine Waxman Pearce Collection. Lorraine Waxman Pearce served as the first White House Curator from 1961 to 1962. As curator, she oversaw refurbishment projects, implemented collections policies, and collaborated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to write the first White House guidebook—a joint publication of the National Geographic Society and the White House Historical Association. Since its original publication in 1962, “The White House: An Historic Guide” has been revised, updated, and printed for over 60 years.

This photograph of the President's Dining Room was taken by George F. Mobley in April 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The President’s Dining Room is located on the Second Floor of the White House. Originally a bedroom, the space was converted to a private dining room, where the first family usually gathers for breakfast and lunch. The room also features a panoramic wallpaper entitled "Views of the American War of Independence" by Jean Zuber et Cie which features events from the American Revolution against the backdrop of natural landmarks. This photograph is part of the Lorraine Waxman Pearce Collection. Lorraine Waxman Pearce served as the first White House Curator from 1961 to 1962. As curator, she oversaw refurbishment projects, implemented collections policies, and collaborated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to write the first White House guidebook—a joint publication of the National Geographic Society and the White House Historical Association. Since its original publication in 1962, “The White House: An Historic Guide” has been revised, updated, and printed for over 60 years.

This photograph of First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley's bedroom was taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston circa 1897 to 1901. The bedroom, possibly the Prince of Wales Bedroom, was located on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion. The Prince of Wales Bedroom now serves as the President's Dining Room. This photograph is part of the Lorraine Waxman Pearce Collection. The original photograph can be found at the Library of Congress. Lorraine Waxman Pearce served as the first White House Curator from 1961 to 1962. As curator, she oversaw refurbishment projects, implemented collections policies, and collaborated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to write the first White House guidebook—a joint publication of the National Geographic Society and the White House Historical Association. Since its original publication in 1962, “The White House: An Historic Guide” has been revised, updated, and printed for over 60 years.

This photograph of a dinner service place setting featuring Tricia Nixon's china pattern was taken by Byron E. Schumaker on May 8, 1971. The place setting is on a table in the President's Dining Room. The room is located on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion in the northwest corner. The President's Dining Room was originally a bedroom referred to as the Prince of Wales Room after the 1860 visit of Edward Albert, Queen Victoria's son who would later become King Edward VII. It was not until the John F. Kennedy administration that the room became the President's Dining Room and the main eating room for the First Family. The dining room also features sideboards decorated with pieces of silver and a Zuber & Cie wallpaper depicting scenes from the American Revolution and natural landmarks.

This stereograph is labeled "State Bed-Rooms in the President's Mansion, Washington, D.C." and was published by John Fillis Jarvis ca. 1882. The grand "Lincoln" bed visible in this image was placed in the room in 1861 by First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. Since the John F. Kennedy administration, this room has been known as the President's Dining Room and is the primary dining room for the first family. It is located on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion in the northwest corner.

This photograph of the completed President’s Dining Room was taken in July 1963 by Robert L. Knudsen, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The decor includes a contemporary gold and off-white flame-patterned carpet and the final arrangement of furniture following refurbishment. The President's Dining Room is located on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion in the northwest corner. The President's Dining Room was originally a bedroom referred to as the Prince of Wales Room after the 1860 visit of Edward Albert, Queen Victoria's son who would later become King Edward VII. It was not until the Kennedy administration that the room became the President's Dining Room and main eating room for the First Family. The dining room also features sideboards decorated with pieces of silver and a Zuber & Cie wallpaper depicting scenes from the American Revolution and natural landmarks.

This photograph of the President's Dining Room was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on January 31, 1962, following First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's refurbishment of the Second Floor. The table is set with china from the Benjamin Harrison service with bread plates from the Franklin D. Roosevelt service. The room is furnished with American Federal style furniture donated to the White House Collection in 1961 and 1962. The President’s Dining Room is located on the Second Floor of the White House. Originally a bedroom, the space was converted to a private dining room, where the first family usually gathers for breakfast and lunch. The room also features a panoramic wallpaper entitled "Views of the American War of Independence" by Jean Zuber et Cie which features events from the American Revolution against the backdrop of natural landmarks.

This photograph of the newly installed Zuber & Cie wallpaper was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on May 3, 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The wallpaper depicts scenes from the American Revolution against the backdrop of natural landmarks. Behind the screen is the entrance to the newly created Family Kitchen. The President's Dining Room is located on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion in the northwest corner. The President's Dining Room was originally a bedroom referred to as the Prince of Wales Room after the 1860 visit of Edward Albert, Queen Victoria's son who would later become King Edward VII. It was not until the Kennedy administration that the room became the President's Dining Room and main eating room for the first family.

This photograph shows a portion of the wallpaper by Zuber et Cie in the President's Dining Room and was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on September 28, 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The circa 1852 panoramic wallpaper is entitled "Views of the American War of Independence" and features events from the American Revolution against the backdrop of natural landmarks. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy oversaw the installation of the wallpaper as part of her White House restoration project. The President's Dining Room is located on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion in the northwest corner. The President's Dining Room was originally a bedroom referred to as the Prince of Wales Room after the 1860 visit of Edward Albert, Queen Victoria's son who would later become King Edward VII. It was not until the Kennedy administration that the room became the President's Dining Room and main eating room for the First Family.

This photograph shows a portion of the wallpaper by Zuber et Cie in the President's Dining Room and was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on September 28, 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The circa 1852 panoramic wallpaper is entitled "Views of the American War of Independence" and features events from the American Revolution against the backdrop of natural landmarks. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy oversaw the installation of the wallpaper as part of her White House restoration project. The President's Dining Room is located on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion in the northwest corner. The President's Dining Room was originally a bedroom referred to as the Prince of Wales Room after the 1860 visit of Edward Albert, Queen Victoria's son who would later become King Edward VII. It was not until the Kennedy administration that the room became the President's Dining Room and main eating room for the First Family.

This photograph shows a portion of the wallpaper by Zuber et Cie in the President's Dining Room and was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on September 28, 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The circa 1852 panoramic wallpaper is entitled "Views of the American War of Independence" and features events from the American Revolution against the backdrop of natural landmarks. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy oversaw the installation of the wallpaper as part of her White House restoration project. The President's Dining Room is located on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion in the northwest corner. The President's Dining Room was originally a bedroom referred to as the Prince of Wales Room after the 1860 visit of Edward Albert, Queen Victoria's son who would later become King Edward VII. It was not until the Kennedy administration that the room became the President's Dining Room and main eating room for the First Family.

This photograph is of a sideboard and a portion of the wallpaper by Zuber et Cie installed in the President’s Dining Room. The photograph was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on September 28, 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration, and shows the refurbishment of the Second Floor by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. The mahogany sideboard has an inlaid eagle and belonged to Daniel Webster. Behind the sideboard is a scene from the panoramic wallpaper entitled "Views of the American War of Independence" which features events from the American Revolution against the backdrop of natural landmarks.

In this photograph, taken by official White House photographer Michael Evans on on February 6, 1983, President Ronald Reagan celebrates his 72nd birthday with a private party in the President's Dining Room on the Second Floor of the White House. First Lady Nancy Reagan stands behind her husband as he blows out of the candles on his star-shaped birthday cake, featuring the Presidential Seal. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.

This photograph of maitre d'hotel Eugene Allen and White House Executive Chef Henry Haller was taken in July 1982, during the Ronald Reagan administration, in the President's Dining Room on the Second Floor of the White House. Allen worked from 1952 to 1986 as a pantryman, butler, and maître d’hotel. Haller served as executive chef from 1966-1987. This photograph is part of Chef Haller's personal collection.

In this photograph, taken February 6, 1983, President Ronald Reagan cuts into his star-shaped birthday cake during a private party held in the President's Dining Room on the Second Floor of the White House. This was Reagan's 72nd birthday, and third as president. Pictured on the right side is head butler John Johnson holding the cake for Reagan. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef from 1966-1987, catering to the tastes of five first families and their distinguished guests.

In this photograph, taken February 12, 1985, President Ronald Reagan has breakfast in the private President's Dining Room on the Second Floor of the White House with King Fahd ibn ʻAbd al-ʻAzīz of Saudi Arabia. United States National Security Advisor Robert C. McFarlane, United States Secretary of State George Pratt Schultz, Saudi Arabian Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud al-Faisal, and Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States Prince Bandar Bin Sultan complete the breakfast meeting party. In his diary, President Reagan reflected with satisfaction on the breakfast meeting, as a productive step in Middle East peace plan discussions. In the background, head butler John Johnson can be seen carrying in dishes of food. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987, catering to the tastes of five first families and their distinguished guests.

In this photograph, taken by White House photographer Michael Evans on February 6, 1983, President Ronald Reagan celebrates his 72nd birthday with a private party in the President's Dining Room on the Second Floor of the White House. First Lady Nancy Reagan sits across from her husband. Also present is Attorney General William French Smith and his wife, Jean; Senator Paul Laxalt of Nevada and his wife, Carol; and United States Information Agency director Charles Z. Wick and his wife, Mary Jane. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.