This composite is a compilation of materials from the Lorraine Waxman Pearce Collection and other sources. Lorraine Waxman Pearce served as the first White House Curator from 1961 to 1962. This composite may only be used for press and publicity purposes related to the collection. All other uses must be approved by the White House Historical Association in writing.

This article by Mary L. Vaughan in the Evening Star titled "A New White House Post: 26-Year-Old Washington Mother Named Curator" is dated March 30, 1961. In the article, Vaughan reports on First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy selecting Lorraine Waxman Pearce for the position of White House Curator. Vaughan details the work Pearce will undergo as White House Curator including creating an official catalogue and renovating the White House with a historic, 19th century influence. Pearce studied at Winterthur Museum and wrote her thesis on French influence on American Decorative arts in the 19th century, which would influence her work at the White House. A photoraph of Pearce and her husband John N. Pearce in their home is featured (taken by Paul Schmick). This newspaper article 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 by Abbie Rowe captures the presentation of the White House guidebook to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and President John F. Kennedy (not pictured) on June 28, 1962. Lorraine Waxman Pearce--the first White House Curator--, members of the National Geographic Society (NGS), and members of the White House Historical Association (WHHA) are present. From left to right: David E. Finley, Chairman of the Fine Arts Commission and Chairman of the Board of Directors of WHHA; Pearce; Ann Mehl of WHHA; Dr. Leonard Carmichael, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and member of the Board of Directors of WHHA, Dr. Melville Bell Grosvenor (back to camera), President and Editor of the NGS; Dr. Melvin M. Payne, Executive Vice President and Secretary of the NGS; Nash Castro, Assistant Director for the National Capital Region of the National Parks Service and Administrative Office of WHHA; T. Sutton Jett, Director for the National Capital Region of the National Parks Service and Executive Secretary of the WHHA; Mrs. Kennedy (back to camera); Robert L. Breeden (mostly hidden), Assistant Illustrations Editor for the NGS; Herman J.A.C. Arens, Executive Assistant to Grosvenor; Howard Wayne Warner of Judd & Detweiler Inc.; and Malcolm Kilduff, Assistant Press Secretary. Unidentified photographers are seen to the right. 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, circa 1961 to 1962, captures the first White House Curator, Lorraine Waxman Pearce, sitting at her desk in the Map Room. The portrait of First Lady Helen Harron Taft by Bror Kronstand can be seen in the background to the right of Pearce. The Map Room is located on the Ground Floor of the White House and was converted into Pearce's office while she worked at 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 by Abbie Rowe captures the presentation of the White House guidebook to President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (not pictured) on June 28, 1962. Lorraine Waxman Pearce--the first White House Curator--, members of the National Geographic Society (NGS), and members of the White House Historical Association (WHHA) are present. The presentation was held in the Fish Room of the White House. From left to right: Dr. Melvin M. Payne, Executive Vice President and Secretary of the NGS; Nash Castro, Assistant Director for the National Capital Region of the National Parks Service and Administrative Office of WHHA; T. Sutton Jett, Director for the National Capital Region of the National Parks Service and Executive Secretary of WHHA; Pearce; Robert L. Breeden (back to camera shaking hands with President Kennedy), Howard Wayne Warner of Judd & Detweiler Inc; and President Kennedy. 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.

In this photograph taken by Robert L. Knudsen, visitors join White House Curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce in front of a Chinese Coromandel screen first loaned and subsequently given to the White House by Mrs. Boyd Hatch on July 6, 1961. The screen as shown in the photograph was first used in the State Dining Room and was later moved to the Center Hall on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion. The State Dining Room is located on the State Floor of 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 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.

This photograph of White House curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on June 28, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The curator was on hand to accept the a noteworthy painting of a Hartford, Connecticut family. Donated by the E. and A. Silberman Galleries, this important acquisition was hung in the Lincoln Bedroom, enhancing its Victorian period decor. This painting by an unknown artist is a portrait of a family relaxing in their lounge or parlor, circa 1840-1850. Members of the family of five sit about, playing the piano, working on needlepoint, and playing with the family dog. In the back, a young African American girl serves the mother.

In this photograph taken by Robert L. Knudsen, visitors join White House Curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce in front of a Chinese Coromandel screen first loaned and subsequently given to the White House by Mrs. Boyd Hatch on July 6, 1961. The screen as shown in the photograph was first used in the State Dining Room, it was later moved to the Center Hall on the Second Floor of the Executive Mansion. The State Dining Room is located on the State Floor of the White House. Though Thomas Jefferson used the space as his office, for most of the history of the White House the State Dining room has been a place for large meetings, receptions, and formal events. It was enlarged during President Theodore Roosevelt’s 1902 renovations and can seat up to 140 people. As the second largest area in the White House, the State Dining Room is used for formal dinners to honor heads of state and other dignitaries.

This photograph of White House curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on September 21, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy. In the photograph, the curator shows a porcelain plate once owned by President John Adams to a visitor in the China Room. The China Room is located on the Ground Floor of the White House and has been used to display ceramics, glass, and other decorative arts since 1916. The pieces on display are a collection of items used in the White House by first families, including state china services commissioned during a presidency.

In this photograph taken by Robert L. Knudsen on September 21, 1961, White House Curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce shows a fruit basket from the Abraham Lincoln State Service to an unidentified visitor in the Curator’s Office (today known as the Map Room) on the Ground Floor of the White House. The room served as the temporary location of the curator’s office, where new acquisitions were examined and cataloged before being displayed in rooms restored during the project. The Map Room is located on the Ground Floor of the Executive Mansion and was named during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, when President Roosevelt used the room to monitor and intake classified information during World War II. The room was the original Situation Room. Today, the room acts as a sitting room but still displays maps in homage to its origins.

In this photograph taken by Robert L. Knudsen on June 21, 1962, White House curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce inspects the new marble mantel before it was installed 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. The new mantel was installed as part of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration program. 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 by Robert L. Knudsen on September 21, 1961, White House Curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce (left) shows an artifact to an unidentified guest in the China Room. The White House Office of the Curator was created in 1961, after First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy recognized that the historic furniture and artwork of the White House should be preserved and managed according to museum standards. Lorraine Waxman Pierce was the first person to hold the staff position of White House Curator.

This photograph shows David E. Finley, the White House Historical Association's first Chairman of the Board of Directors, presenting the first edition of "The White House: An Historic Guide" to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in June 1962. Left to Right: President John F. Kennedy, Finley, Mrs. Kennedy, Melville Bell Grosvenor, Leonard Carmichael, Melvin Payne, Nash Castro, Sutton Jett, Lorraine Pearce, and Robert Breeden.