This is a program for an award ceremony held on January 19, 1989, during which President Ronald Reagan recognized former United States representative and senator Michael Mansfield of Montana and Secretary of State George P. Shultz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. First awarded to non-military personnel in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is among the highest honors that a president can bestow on a private citizen. This program is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for White House events from 1980 to 2004.

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.

This photograph taken by Bill Fitz-Patrick on April 7, 1988 shows White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier posing with a trophy that he was awarded by the French Culinary Academy for being voted pastry chef of the year by his peers in 1987. Later, the French Culinary Academy started rewarding The Roland Mesnier Trophy which is awarded to the winner of a competition that looks for excellence and innovation in pastry. 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.

In this photograph, assistant pastry chef Mark Ramsdell (right) speaks with former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier (left) after being awarded the French Légion d'honneur. On the far left Chef Mesnier is supported by his wife, Martha. The Légion d'honneur is awarded to French citizens with "outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation" and is considered the highest honor that can be given to a French citizen. The cake in this photograph was made by Ramsdell and is a replica of the White House with signs for two of Chef Mesnier's former positions at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia and the Hamilton Princess in Bermuda. Standing on the South Portico of the replica White House is a figurine of Chef Mesnier and a figurine that may represent First Lady Rosalynn Carter who hired Chef Mesnier in December of 1979. 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.

In this photograph, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier receives the French Légion d'honneur Medal. The Légion d'honneur is awarded to French citizens with "outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation" and is considered the highest honor that can be given to a French citizen. 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.

In this photograph White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier stands with his wife Martha after being awarded the French Légion d'honneur. Among those supporting him is assistant pastry Chef Mark Ramsdell standing just behind Chef Mesnier to his left. The Légion d'honneur is awarded to French citizens with "outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation" and is considered the highest honor that can be given to a French citizen. 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.

In this photograph White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier stands with a group after being awarded the French Légion d'honneur. The Légion d'honneur is awarded to French citizens with "outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation" and is considered the highest honor that can be given to a French citizen. The group gathered includes White House Kitchen staff members Patrice Olivon (far left) and Walter Scheib (center), and Francois Dionot, founder of L’Academie de Cuisine (at which Chef Mesnier taught). 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.

In this photograph, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier stands with the presenter who will award him with the French Légion d'honneur medal. The Légion d'honneur is awarded to French citizens with "outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation" and is considered the highest honor that can be given to a French citizen. 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.

In this photograph White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier stands with acquaintances and colleagues after being awarded the French Légion d'honneur. The Légion d'honneur is awarded to French citizens with "outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation" and is considered the highest honor that can be given to a French citizen. From left to right are Francois Dionot, founder of L’Academie de Cuisine, Chef Mesnier, and White House assistant pastry chef Mark Ramsdell. Chef Ramsdell was a student of Chef Mesnier when he taught at L’Academie de Cuisine and then became an instructor there himself. 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.

In this photograph White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier stands with a group after being awarded the French Légion d'honneur. The Légion d'honneur is awarded to French citizens with "outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation" and is considered the highest honor that can be given to a French citizen. To the left of Chef Mesnier (second from right) is his wife Martha Mesnier and fellow kitchen staff member Patrick Musel. 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.

In this photograph White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier stands next to a table of acquaintances at a dinner hosted in his honor to celebrate him being awarded the French Légion d'honneur. The Légion d'honneur is awarded to French citizens with "outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation" and is considered the highest honor that can be given to a French citizen. 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.

In this photograph White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier stands with an unidentified person after being awarded the French Légion d'honneur. The Légion d'honneur is awarded to French citizens with "outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation" and is considered the highest honor that can be given to a French citizen. 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.

In this photograph White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier stands with a group of his acquaintances after being awarded the French Légion d'honneur. The Légion d'honneur is awarded to French citizens with "outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation" and is considered the highest honor that can be given to a French citizen. The gathering of supporters includes White House Kitchen staff members Patrice Olivon (second from left) and Walter Scheib (second from right). 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.

In this photograph White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier stands with a group after being awarded the French Légion d'honneur. The Légion d'honneur is awarded to French citizens with "outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation" and is considered the highest honor that can be given to a French citizen. Standing on the far right is Chef Mesnier's wife, Martha Mesnier. 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.

In this photograph White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier stands with a group after being awarded the Légion d'honneur of Honor. The Légion d'honneur is awarded to French citizens with "outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation" and is considered the highest honor that can be given to a French citizen. To the right of Chef Mesnier (second from left) is his wife, Martha Mesnier. 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.

In this photograph, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier embraces a presenter after being awarded the French Légion d'honneur medal. The Légion d'honneur is awarded to French citizens with "outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation" and is considered the highest honor that can be given to a French citizen. 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 the third page of a program for an award ceremony held on January 19, 1989, during which President Ronald Reagan recognized former United States representative and senator Michael Mansfield of Montana and Secretary of State George P. Shultz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. First awarded to non-military personnel in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is among the highest honors that a president can bestow on a private citizen. For the full program, see 1141142. This program is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for White House events from 1980 to 2004.

This is the fourth page of a program for an award ceremony held on January 19, 1989, during which President Ronald Reagan recognized former United States representative and senator Michael Mansfield of Montana and Secretary of State George P. Shultz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. First awarded to non-military personnel in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is among the highest honors that a president can bestow on a private citizen. This page honors the life and work of Michael Mansfield. For the full program, see 1141142. This program is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for White House events from 1980 to 2004.

This is the front cover of a program for an award ceremony held on January 19, 1989, during which President Ronald Reagan recognized former United States representative and senator Michael Mansfield of Montana and Secretary of State George P. Shultz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. First awarded to non-military personnel in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is among the highest honors that a president can bestow on a private citizen. For the full program, see 1141142. This program is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for White House events from 1980 to 2004.

This is the fifth page of a program for an award ceremony held on January 19, 1989, during which President Ronald Reagan recognized former United States representative and senator Michael Mansfield of Montana and Secretary of State George P. Shultz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. First awarded to non-military personnel in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is among the highest honors that a president can bestow on a private citizen. For the full program, see 1141142. This program is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for White House events from 1980 to 2004.

This is the sixth page of a program for an award ceremony held on January 19, 1989, during which President Ronald Reagan recognized former United States representative and senator Michael Mansfield of Montana and Secretary of State George P. Shultz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. First awarded to non-military personnel in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is among the highest honors that a president can bestow on a private citizen. For the full program, see 1141142. This program is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for White House events from 1980 to 2004.

In this photograph taken on June 5, 1946, future president Jimmy Carter has his ensign lapels pinned by Rosalynn Carter, left, then known by her maiden name Rosalynn Smith, and Lillian Carter, right, his mother, at his graduation ceremony from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Jimmy Carter would go on to serve in the Navy until 1956, when he took over his family's businesses including peanut farming. Carter served as governor of Georgia prior to his term as president, which began on January 20, 1977 and ended January 20, 1981.

In this photograph by Lawrence Jackson, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama stand for the national anthem at the beginning of the Kennedy Center Honors on December 6, 2009. President and Mrs. Obama were in the presidential box in the Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and were flanked by Vice President Joseph R. Biden and the 2009 honorees, (from left to right) Dave Brubeck, Robert De Niro, Grace Bumbry, Mel Brooks, and Bruce Springsteen. This was the first Kennedy Center Honors hosted by President and Mrs. Obama.

In this photograph by Eric Draper, President George W. Bush stands with author Harper Lee in the East Room of the White House on Nov. 5, 2007. Lee was at the White House to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bush. Lee was best known for her classic American novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird" and received her honor alongside Liberian politician Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, director of the National Institutes of Health Dr. Francis Collins, and Benjamin Hooks, civil rights leader and former executive director of the NAACP, among others.

In this photograph by Bill Fitz-Patrick, President Gerald R. Ford presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson in a ceremony in the East Room on January 10, 1977. President Ford presented the award in the waning days of his presidency, honoring Mrs. Johnson alongside the likes of Georgia O'Keeffe, Irving Berlin, Joe DiMaggio, Nelson Rockefeller, and Norman Rockwell.