This photograph features table settings for an event in the State Dining Room during the John F. Kennedy administration. The State Dining Room is located on the State Floor of the White House. The room is often the setting for state or official dinners and is the second largest room in the White House. 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 taken February 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration, shows a table setting for a lunch or small dinner in the State Dining Room. The centerpieces were ordered by President James Monroe in 1817. This image was featured in the first edition of the White House guidebook. 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 a bouquet of flowers on display in the State Dining Room was likely taken during the John F. Kennedy administration. The flowers sit atop a table with place settings for an event. The State Dining Room is located on the State Floor of the White House. The room is often the setting for state or official dinners and is the second largest room in the White House. 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 taken February 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration, shows a table setting for a lunch or small dinner in the State Dining Room. The centerpieces were ordered by President James Monroe in 1817. This image was featured in the first edition of the White House guidebook. 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 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 photograph of White House Residence staff preparing for a millennium reception in the East Room was taken by William Vasta on December 31, 1999. To mark the final day of the 20th century, President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted a candlelit dinner in the East Room to recognize partner institutions who had supported the Clinton administration's goals of "honoring the past and supporting the future," by leading environmental and community programs over the previous two years. Attendees at the event included representatives from the office of Mayor Anthony Williams and the government of the District of Columbia, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Park Service, the National Parks Foundation, and members of Congress.

This photograph is of the table settings and flower arrangements in the Blue Room for a dinner held in honor of Governor Luis Muñoz of Puerto Rico. Robert L. Knudsen took the photograph on November 13, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The table settings feature glassware selected by the Kennedys from the Morgantown Glassware Guild and china from the Benjamin Harrison State Service. 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.

The photograph is a close-up of the table settings and flower arrangements in the Blue Room for a dinner held in honor of Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Muñoz Marín. Robert L. Knudsen took the photograph on November 13, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The table settings feature glassware selected by the Kennedys from the Morgantown Glassware Guild and china from the Benjamin Harrison State Service. 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.

This photograph of the Old Family Dining Room and table settings was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on December 12, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. From around 1825 to 1962, presidents and their families traditionally dined in the Old Family Dining Room. In 1962 with the addition of a new private family dining room on the Second Floor of the White House, the room was re-purposed for small official dinners, working lunches, and a staging area for state dinners. Located on the State Floor of the White House, the room features architectural details such as elegant plaster work and vaulted ceilings. During the Barack Obama administration, the room was opened to public tours for the first time.

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 table settings for First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's luncheon for senators' wives was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on May 23, 1962. This table setting is an example of Mrs. Kennedy's use of round tables over banquet-style tables. The State Dining Room is located on the State Floor of the White House. The room is often the setting for State or Official Dinners and is the second largest room in the White House.

In this photograph, taken on April 15, 2001, First Lady Laura Bush arranges gifts on a table for guests to the Prairie Chapel Ranch, the Bush family's home near Crawford, Texas. While working from the ranch, President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush welcomed national security advisors and visiting dignitaries alike with Texas hospitality. Preparations for guests included thoughtful details, such as an extra blanket and a small plate with a cookie in guest bedrooms.

This photograph, taken by Eric Draper on November 9, 2007, shows a table set for a social dinner hosted by President George W. Bush in honor of Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and her husband, Joachim Sauer. The dinner was held at the Prairie Chapel Ranch, the president's home near Crawford, Texas. This photograph shows the president's place setting at the table. At the dinner, guests dined on citrus and arugula salad, pecan-smoked beef tenderloin, a green chili-cheese grits soufflé, and Prairie Chapel pecan pie served with Blue Bell ice cream. Food preparations were overseen by chef Matthew Wendel. Wendel became acquainted with the Bush family in 1995, while working as a waiter-caterer at the Governor's Mansion in Austin, Texas. After Bush was elected president in 2000, Wendel continued to serve the first family during visits to Camp David and the Prairie Chapel Ranch. Wendel's duties included cooking meals for the family, and ensuring the homes were ready for the arrival of the first family or their distinguished guests.

This photograph, taken by Eric Draper on November 9, 2007, shows a table set for a social dinner hosted by President George W. Bush in honor of Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and her husband, Joachim Sauer. The dinner was held at the Prairie Chapel Ranch, the president's home near Crawford, Texas. At the dinner, guests dined on citrus and arugula salad, pecan-smoked beef tenderloin, a green chili-cheese grits soufflé, and Prairie Chapel pecan pie served with Blue Bell ice cream. Food preparations were overseen by chef Matthew Wendel. Wendel became acquainted with the Bush family in 1995, while working as a waiter-caterer at the Governor's Mansion in Austin, Texas. After Bush was elected president in 2000, Wendel continued to serve the first family during visits to Camp David and the Prairie Chapel Ranch. Wendel's duties included cooking meals for the family, and ensuring the homes were ready for the arrival of the first family or their distinguished guests.

This photograph, taken by Eric Draper on May 20, 2007, shows the place setting for Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), for a social dinner hosted by President George W. Bush at the Prairie Chapel Ranch, his home near Crawford, Texas. The dinner, prepared by chef Matthew Wendel, included arugula and citrus salad, pecan-smoked beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce, green chili cheese grits soufflé, and roasted asparagus. For dessert, guests dined on peach cream pie adapted from a recipe compiled by First Lady Laura Bush, featuring fresh Texas Hill Country peaches.

This photograph shows the State Dining Room set for a State Dinner hosted by President Gerald R. Ford and First Lady Betty Ford on October 2, 1975 in honor of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Kōjun of Japan. The Lyndon B. Johnson china service was used at each place setting. White House Executive Chef Henry Haller oversaw the food preparations for the meal, which included veal medallions with wild rice and green beans niçoise, lobster en bellevue, an endive and watercress salad, and raspberry mousse. Following the dinner, guests transitioned to the East Room for entertainment by pianist Van Cliburn. To see images of Haller and the White House domestic staff team readying the dishes to serve, see 1128247, 1128250, 1128252, and 1128253. 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.

This photograph, taken around November 14, 1978, shows First Lady Rosalynn Carter seated in the State Dining Room. The table is set for a formal dinner, possibly the State Dinner for King Hassan II of Morocco. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as five first families and their distinguished guests as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

In this photograph, taken on May 2, 1979, White House Executive Chef Henry Haller and his team stand proudly beside tables set up for a State Dinner held in honor of the visit of Prime Minister Masayoshi Ōhira of Japan. President Jimmy Carter hosted the dinner, which was held outdoors on the West Terrace, located on the roof of the West Colonnade. The 180 guests dined on stuffed avocado and pear salad, new potatoes, and a barbecue of buffalo meat and suckling pig roasted on halved 50-gallon oil drums. The barbecue was included in the menu to satisfy Prime Minister Ōhira longstanding desire to try an American-style barbecue. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served five first families and their distinguished guests as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.

This name card was created to indicate the place setting for Pietro Nenni, foreign minister of Italy to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at a formal dinner honoring NATO representatives on April 11, 1969. The dinner was hosted by President Richard M. Nixon in the State Dining Room. A prominent figure of the Italian Socialist Party, Nenni served as deputy prime minister of Italy from 1963 to 1969. Other guests invited to the dinner included National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State Dean Acheson, White House Curator Clement Conger, and General Secretary of NATO Manlio Brosio. This name card is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. As executive chef from 1966-1987, Haller oversaw the preparations for many formal dinners at the White House.

This name card was created to indicate the place setting for Patricia Johnson, wife of undersecretary for Political Affairs U. Alexis Johnson, at a formal dinner honoring representatives of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on April 11, 1969. The dinner was hosted by President Richard M. Nixon in the State Dining Room. Other guests invited to the dinner included National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State Dean Acheson, White House Curator Clement Conger, and General Secretary of NATO Manlio Brosio. This name card is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. As executive chef from 1966-1987, Haller oversaw the preparations for many formal dinners at the White House.

This name card was created to indicate the place setting for former Secretary of State Dean Acheson at a formal dinner honoring representatives from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on April 11, 1969. The dinner was hosted by President Richard M. Nixon in the State Dining Room. As secretary of state during the administration of President Henry S. Truman, Acheson supported the formation of NATO in 1949. Other guests invited to the dinner included National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, White House Curator Clement Conger, and General Secretary of NATO Manlio Brosio. This name card is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. As executive chef from 1966-1987, Haller oversaw the preparations for many formal dinners at the White House.

This name card was created to indicate a place setting for Joseph J. Sisco at a formal dinner hosted by President Richard M. Nixon in the State Dining Room for representatives from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on April 11, 1969. Sisco worked in international diplomacy for over 20 years, and served as assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs to President Nixon and undersecretary of state to President Nixon and President Gerald R. Ford. During the Nixon and Ford administrations, Sisco worked closely with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in developing his "shuttle diplomacy" strategy in the Middle East, which required a third party to travel and negotiate disputes between two opposing parties who otherwise refuse to communicate. This name card is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. As executive chef from 1966-1987, Haller oversaw the preparations for many formal dinners at the White House.

This name card was created to indicate the place setting for Panagiotis Pipinelis, Foreign Minister of Greece for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at a formal dinner for NATO representatives hosted by President Richard M. Nixon at the State Dining Room of the White House on April 11, 1969. Other guests invited to the dinner included National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State Dean Acheson, White House Curator Clement Conger, and General Secretary of NATO Manlio Brosio. This name card is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. As executive chef from 1966-1987, Haller oversaw the preparations for many formal dinners at the White House.

This name card was created to indicate the place setting for Italian ambassador to the United States Egidio Ortona at a formal dinner for representatives from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on April 11, 1969. The dinner was hosted by President Richard M. Nixon in the State Dining Room. Other guests invited to the dinner included National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State Dean Acheson, White House Curator Clement Conger, and General Secretary of NATO Manlio Brosio. This name card is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. As executive chef from 1966-1987, Haller oversaw the preparations for many formal dinners at the White House.

This name card was created to indicate the place setting for National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger at a formal dinner for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) representatives hosted by President Richard M. Nixon at the State Dining Room of the White House on April 11, 1969. Kissinger would go on to serve as secretary of state from 1973 to 1977 for President Nixon and President Gerald R. Ford. This name card is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. As executive chef from 1966-1987, Haller oversaw the preparations for many formal dinners at the White House.