Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, Naval Photographic Center
Oval Office
West Wing
This photograph of the Oval Office was taken on January 14, 1961 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. This photograph captures how the Oval Office looked in the final days of President Eisenhower's time in office before President John F. Kennedy was sworn into office. Before 1909, the president's office was located in the Executive Mansion. During the William H. Taft administration, the West Wing doubled in size from the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovation and included a presidential oval office. In 1934, during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the West Wing was expanded and renovated, with the Oval Office relocated to the West Wing’s southeast corner.
Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, Naval Photographic Center
Oval Office
West Wing
This photograph of the Oval Office was taken on January 14, 1961 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. This photograph captures how the Oval Office looked in the final days of President Eisenhower's time in office before President John F. Kennedy was sworn into office. Before 1909, the president's office was located in the Executive Mansion. During the William H. Taft administration, the West Wing doubled in size from the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovation and included a presidential oval office. In 1934, during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the West Wing was expanded and renovated, with the Oval Office relocated to the West Wing’s southeast corner.
Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, Naval Photographic Center
Oval Office
West Wing
This photograph of the Oval Office was taken on January 14, 1961 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. This photograph captures how the Oval Office looked in the final days of President Eisenhower's time in office before President John F. Kennedy was sworn into office. Before 1909, the president's office was located in the Executive Mansion. During the William H. Taft administration, the West Wing doubled in size from the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovation and included a presidential oval office. In 1934, during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the West Wing was expanded and renovated, with the Oval Office relocated to the West Wing’s southeast corner.
This photograph of the Presidential Seal on the ceiling of the Oval Office was taken on February 27, 1957 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. Before 1909, the president's office was located in the Executive Mansion. During the William H. Taft administration, the West Wing doubled in size from the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovation and included a presidential oval office. In 1934, during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the West Wing was expanded and renovated, with the Oval Office relocated to the West Wing’s southeast corner.
This photograph of the Oval Office was taken on February 27, 1957 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. Before 1909, the president's office was located in the Executive Mansion. During the William H. Taft administration, the West Wing doubled in size from the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovation and included a presidential oval office. In 1934, during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the West Wing was expanded and renovated, with the Oval Office relocated to the West Wing’s southeast corner.
This photograph of a wall sconce in the Oval Office was taken on February 27, 1957 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. In the photograph is an unidentified man measuring the sconce. Before 1909, the president's office was located in the Executive Mansion. During the William H. Taft administration, the West Wing doubled in size from the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovation and included a presidential oval office. In 1934, during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the West Wing was expanded and renovated, with the Oval Office relocated to the West Wing’s southeast corner.
Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, Naval Photographic Center
Oval Office
West Wing
This photograph of the Oval Office was taken on January 14, 1961 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. This photograph captures how the Oval Office looked in the final days of President Eisenhower's time in office before President John F. Kennedy was sworn into office. Before 1909, the president's office was located in the Executive Mansion. During the William H. Taft administration, the West Wing doubled in size from the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovation and included a presidential oval office. In 1934, during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the West Wing was expanded and renovated, with the Oval Office relocated to the West Wing’s southeast corner.
This photograph of the painting "Towers of Riga" was taken in the Oval Office on February 27, 1957 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. "Towers of Riga" was painted by Ludolfs Liberts and gifted to President Eisenhower by a group of displaced Latvians to thank him for assisting in their "new start" in the United States. Before 1909, the president's office was located in the Executive Mansion. During the William H. Taft administration, the West Wing doubled in size from the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovation and included a presidential oval office. In 1934, during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the West Wing was expanded and renovated, with the Oval Office relocated to the West Wing’s southeast corner.
This photograph of the Oval Office was taken on February 27, 1957 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. Before 1909, the president's office was located in the Executive Mansion. During the William H. Taft administration, the West Wing doubled in size from the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovation and included a presidential oval office. In 1934, during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the West Wing was expanded and renovated, with the Oval Office relocated to the West Wing’s southeast corner.
This photograph of the painting "Men in Progress" was taken in the Oval Office on February 27, 1957 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. "Men in Progress" was painted by Christian Schussele in 1862 and was loaned to the White House by the National Portrait Gallery. Before 1909, the president's office was located in the Executive Mansion. During the William H. Taft administration, the West Wing doubled in size from the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovation and included a presidential oval office. In 1934, during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the West Wing was expanded and renovated, with the Oval Office relocated to the West Wing’s southeast corner.
This photograph of the Oval Office was taken on February 27, 1957 during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. Before 1909, the president's office was located in the Executive Mansion. During the William H. Taft administration, the West Wing doubled in size from the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovation and included a presidential oval office. In 1934, during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the West Wing was expanded and renovated, with the Oval Office relocated to the West Wing’s southeast corner.
Stewart C. Stevens Cleans Bohemian Glass Chandelier
Bill Fitz-Patrick
staff
State Floor
Residence staff
East Room
lighting
chandeliers
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.
Stewart C. Stevens Cleans Bohemian Glass Chandelier
Bill Fitz-Patrick
staff
State Floor
Residence staff
East Room
lighting
chandeliers
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.
White House Doorkeeper Preston Bruce and Family at Holiday Reception for Staff
Robert L. Knudsen
winter holidays
staff
State Floor
Residence staff
Christmas
Blue Room Christmas Tree
Blue Room
receptions
This photograph of White House doorkeeper Preston Bruce and his family was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on December 27, 1961 during the John F. Kennedy administration. The Bruce family is photographed in front of the Blue Room Christmas tree while attending a staff holiday reception. Bruce worked as the doorkeeper from 1953 to 1975.
This photograph of White House usher James F.W. "Skip" Allen was taken by Tina Hager on June 1, 2002 during the George W. Bush administration. Allen worked in the Secret Service and as an usher, in a White House career that spanned from 1971 to 2004. He is photographed in the State Dining Room of the White House.
Chefs Verdon and Louvat with Birthday Cakes for the Kennedy Children
Robert L. Knudsen
staff
Second Floor
Residence staff
President's Dining Room
food & drink
celebrations
birthdays
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.
White House Butler John H. Johnson with a Birthday Cake for the Kennedy Children
Robert L. Knudsen
staff
Residence staff
President's Dining Room
Second Floor
birthdays
celebrations
food & drink
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.
Mrs. Clinton and Pastry Chefs with 1993 Gingerbread House
Unknown
winter holidays
staff
gingerbread
food & drink
decorations
State Floor
State Dining Room
Christmas
Residence staff
This is a photograph of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, and pastry chef Franette McCulloch with the 1993 official White House Gingerbread House that was dubbed the "House of Socks". It was created by Chef Mesnier in honor of President Bill Clinton and Mrs. Clinton's cat, Socks. The gingerbread house is a to-scale replica of White House complete with 20 marzipan versions of Socks playing around the house. The architectural details were created with carefully pipped icing and illuminated with working miniature floodlights.
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 composite is a compilation of photographs from the Chef Roland Mesnier Collection. White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004. 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 photograph of the Situation Room, then known as the West Wing Conference Room, was taken by Robert Knudsen on February 7, 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.
This photograph of the Lincoln Bedroom was taken in August 1976 by Larry D. Kinney during the administration of Gerald R. Ford. Located on the Second Floor of the White House, in modern times the Lincoln Bedroom is used for official and personal guests of the president’s family. In the past, it served as an office and the Cabinet Room. The room became a bedroom in the family quarters during the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovation. The high-back bed, known as the Lincoln Bed, was purchased for the White House by First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. While it was purchased during the Lincoln administration, the bed was probably never used by President Abraham Lincoln, nor was it originally placed in this room. Repurposed during the administration of President Harry S. Truman, the room features furniture, artwork, and refurbishing reminiscent of the 1860s. In 2005, the room underwent refurbishing under the direction of First Lady Laura Bush, enhancing the historical accuracy of the room.
This photograph of the Lincoln Bedroom was taken in August 1976 by Larry D. Kinney during the administration of Gerald R. Ford. Located on the Second Floor of the White House, in modern times the Lincoln Bedroom is used for official and personal guests of the president’s family. In the past, it served as an office and the Cabinet Room. The room became a bedroom in the family quarters during the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovation. The high-back bed, known as the Lincoln Bed, was purchased for the White House by First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. While it was purchased during the Lincoln administration, the bed was probably never used by President Abraham Lincoln, nor was it originally placed in this room. Repurposed during the administration of President Harry S. Truman, the room features furniture, artwork, and refurbishing reminiscent of the 1860s. In 2005, the room underwent refurbishing under the direction of First Lady Laura Bush, enhancing the historical accuracy of the room.
This photograph of the Green Room was taken in February 1975 by Larry D. Kinney during the administration of Gerald R. Ford. The Green Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. It was the first room named after the color of its textiles and has Federal style furnishings. The elegant but relaxed parlor is used for small gatherings, interviews, and teas.
Pastry Team with 2006 White House Gingerbread House
Shealah Craighead
staff
gingerbread
food & drink
State Dining Room
Residence staff
winter holidays
Christmas
State Floor
In this photograph taken by Shealah Craighead on November 30, 2006, members of the White House pastry team including Eileen Cortese (left), White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier (center), and Marlene Roudebush (right) pose with the 2006 White House Gingerbread House. Although Chef Mesnier retired in July of 2004, he was asked to return in 2006 to help out between chefs and to build the gingerbread house. For this gingerbread house Chef Mesnier used a red and white color scheme. The house was covered with red bows and 800 sugar snowflakes. The White House Gingerbread House is a combined effort between the pastry staff and carpenters who provide advice and tools.
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 (left) and assistant pastry chef Susan "Susie" E. Morrison (right), carry a "Best of Kenya" dessert and accompanying petit four tray into the State Dining Room. The desserts were served at a State Dinner in honor of President Mwai Kibaki of the Republic of Kenya and Lucy Muthoni Kibaki, the first lady of Kenya, hosted by President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Welch Bush on October 6, 2003. The main dessert consisted of white chocolate espresso cups filled with banana and tea mousse circling the coffee grinder centerpieces and coffee ice cream shaped like giant coffee beans. Each dessert was accompanied by trays of petit four decorated with sugar giraffes. In 2014, Chef Morrison went on to become the first woman to appointed White House Executive Pastry Chef.
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.