This photograph of Charles Henlock, White House gardener, was taken circa 1931. Henlock arrived in the United States from England in 1886, the same year he began working at the White House as a laborer. He was eventually promoted to head gardener, where he oversaw the gardens and grounds and managed the propagation of plants in the White House Conservatory. With the demolition of the Conservatory in 1902 to make way for the construction of the West Wing, Henlock moved to the greenhouses' new location on the National Mall. Henlock worked with several first ladies to select the florals for everything from formal events like State Dinners and Inaugural Balls to everyday decorations around the White House. Henlock was also involved with annual events on the White House Grounds like the White House Easter Egg Roll and the lighting of the National Christmas tree. Later in his career, Henlock was promoted to chief of the Horticultural Division of the Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks, overseeing the hundreds of thousands of plants around Washington, D.C. He was well-known for his estimating the peak bloom for the cherry blossom trees surrounding the Tidal Basin in Washington. In 1931, following 45 years of service, Henlock left his role due to the Civil Service Commission regulations outlining mandatory retirement. He then served the White House gardens in an advisory capacity until his death in 1934.

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 White House switchboard operators was taken in June 1975 by Len Lahman during the Gerald R. Ford administration. The operators worked in the Old Executive Office Building, which was rededicated as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building by President George W. Bush in 2002. The ten-position Western Electric switchboard was installed in 1963. Switchboard operators answered thousands of calls every day.

This photograph of White House Executive Chef Henry Haller was taken in April 1970 by Joseph J. Scherschel during the administration of Richard M. Nixon. Here, Chef Haller prepares beef Wellington. The White House Kitchen is located on the Ground Floor of the Executive Mansion.

This photograph of members of the West Wing staff meeting with actor Robert Redford was taken on March 6, 1975 by Bruce Dale during the administration of Gerald R. Ford. The group met with the actor in an office in the West Wing. President Ford's daughter, Susan Ford, and press secretary Ron Nessen were also on hand for the meeting.

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, assistant pastry chef Franette McCulloch lights the candles on a birthday cake for First Lady Nancy Reagan's 64th birthday. The cake was presented at a birthday luncheon hosted in her honor in the Navy Mess in the West Wing on July 11, 1985. Decorating the cake was a portrait of Mrs. Reagan and pulled-sugar flowers. 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 shows White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier and assistant pastry chef Susan "Susie" E. Morrison putting finishing touches on a cake for a White House event held on May 31, 2004. Chef Morrison began working with Chef Mesnier in 1995, working her way up to become assistant pastry chef. In 2014, Morrison became the first woman 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.

In this photograph from 1986, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier poses in his chef's whites with a group outside L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda, Maryland. To the left of him stands assistant pastry chef Franette McCulloch. On the far right is the Academy's founder Francois Dionot. Chef McCulloch was a student of Chef Mesnier when he taught at L’Academie de Cuisine and went on to teach there herself. Standing between Chef McCulloch and Chef Mesnier is likely Chef Mark Ramsdell, White House assistant pastry chef during the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, who came to teach at the L’Academie de Cuisine and eventually became its director. 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.

In this photograph the White House pastry team poses in the State Dining Room with the dessert they prepared for the White House 200th anniversary dinner on November 9, 2000. In the front row, from left to right, are: White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, Marlene Roudebush, and Susan "Susie" E. Morrison. The team members in the back row are: Patrick Musel, an unidentified person, and Lynn McCartin. Guests at the 200th anniversary dinner, including former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, former President Gerald R. Ford, former First Lady Betty Ford, former President Jimmy Carter, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, and former President George H.W. Bush, and former First Lady Barbara Bush, joined President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton for a formal dinner in the East Room. The desserts included a decoration designed to look like John Adams' Blessing which was engraved into the mantel in the State Dining Room in 1945. It reads, “I Pray Heaven To Bestow The Best Of Blessings On This House And All that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof.” For the full menu from this dinner, see 1140937. 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), Social Secretary Catherine Fenton (center), and assistant pastry chef Susan "Susie" E. Morrison (right) pose with a birthday cake for President George W. Bush in the Green Room. The cake was made by the pastry team to celebrate President Bush's 56th birthday. Decorations on the cake included the Presidential seal and a Texas longhorn, likely a reference to Bush's childhood in Texas. 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 works with the White House pastry team on a dessert for a dinner for the Nation's Governors, held on February 22, 2004 during the George W. Bush administration. From left to right are Chef Mesnier, Patrick Musel, and an unidentified staff member. 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 stand in the Center Hall with a cake for President George W. Bush's 55th birthday. The baseball themed cake is decorated with a bat, mitt, and baseballs. The Center Hall is located 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.

In this photograph White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier is joined by American celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse in the White House Kitchen. Together the chefs made a Christmas cherry trifle for a segment of ABC News' Good Morning America on December 14, 2001. The Christmas cherry trifle was a favorite of President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Welch Bush. 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 (right) and assistant pastry chef Susan "Susie" E. Morrison (left) pose with a birthday cake for President George W. Bush's longtime friend, Rev. Billy Graham. The celebration of his 83rd birthday on November 6, 2001 included a dinner of Maine lobster and roasted veal followed by slices of cake in the Family Dining Room. Chef Morrison and Chef Mesnier are photographed here in the State Dining Room. 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 pastry chefs pose with "Topiary Valencia" desserts made for a State Dinner honoring King Juan Carlos I of Spain and Queen Sofia on February 23, 2000, during the Bill Clinton administration. From left to right are Marlene Roudebush, Patrick Musel, Susan "Susie" E. Morrison, Roland Mesnier, and an unknown pastry chef. Inspired by Spain's citrus fruits, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier created fruit shaped orange, clementine, lemon, and lime sorbets, each filled with a different mousse. The sorbet fruits, along with marzipan roses and crystallized violets, were held in chocolate boxes bearing the emblem of the King of Spain. Each display of fruit was topped with a pulled-sugar orange blossom branch and surrounded by fresh kumquats and raspberries. 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 presents dessert for a luncheon with members of the media hosted by President George W. Bush on February 27, 2001 in the Family Dining Room. Standing next to Chef Mesnier is assistant pastry chef Susan "Susie" E. Morrison. The dessert consisted of a cake decorated with a chocolate keyboard and sugar news article. 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 with pastry chefs Susie Morrison, Lynn McCartin, and Marlene Roudebush with a cake designed to look like the Oval Office during President George W. Bush's administration. The three chocolate tiered cake was decorated with marzipan Oval Office decorations and an edible Presidential Seal. It was served at a luncheon on January 30th, 2002. The pastry team is photographed in the Family Dining Room. 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 the White House pastry team poses in the State Dining Room with the dessert they prepared for the White House 200th anniversary dinner on November 9, 2000. In the front row, from left to right, are: White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, Marlene Roudebush, and Susan "Susie" E. Morrison. The team members in the back row are: Patrick Musel, an unidentified person, and Lynn McCartin. Guests at the 200th anniversary dinner, including former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, former President Gerald R. Ford, former First Lady Betty Ford, former President Jimmy Carter, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, and former President George H.W. Bush, and former First Lady Barbara Bush, joined President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton for a formal dinner in the East Room. The desserts included a decoration designed to look like John Adams' Blessing which was engraved into the mantel in the State Dining Room in 1945. It reads, “I Pray Heaven To Bestow The Best Of Blessings On This House And All that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof.” For the full menu from this dinner, see 1140937. 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 the White House pastry team poses for a picture together in the Green Room on May 6, 1998. Led by White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, the pastry team had the desserts lined up in the Green Room for a State Dinner in honor of President of the Council of Ministers Romano Prodi of the Italian Republic, more commonly known as the prime minister of Italy, and Flavia Franzoni, his wife. The dinner was hosted by President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in the East Room. From left to right are Chef Mesnier, Lynn McCartin, Susan "Susie" E. Morrison, Marlene Roudebush, and assistant pastry chef Franette McCulloch. For the full menu from this State Dinner, see 1140843. 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, the White House Pastry Team poses for a photograph together in the Family Dining room on December 13, 2001. Standing from left to right are Susan Limb, White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, Susan "Susie" E. Morrison, Lynn McCartin, Marlene Roudebush, and Patrick Musel. The pastry team puts together the elaborate desserts enjoyed at White House events and celebrations. In 2014 Susie Morrison became the first woman to appointed 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.

In this photograph by Ralph Alswang, the White House pastry team poses in the State Dining Room with dessert ready to be served at the NATO summit dinner hosted on April 23, 1999. The dinner commemorated the 50th anniversary of the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO). The desserts consisted of blue sugar stands that held domes of strawberry nougat glace. Each was decorated with hand-painted sugar flags for each country in attendance and garnished with sliced strawberry and kiwi. Accompanying the main desserts were a champagne sabayon, chocolate globe truffles, and passion fruit tuiles. Among the staff pictured are Susan "Susie" E. Morrison (far left), assistant pastry chef Franette McCulloch (second from right), and White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier (far 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 is joined by American celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse in the White House Kitchen. Together the chefs made a Christmas cherry trifle for a segment of ABC News' Good Morning America on December 14, 2001. The Christmas cherry trifle was a favorite of President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Welch Bush. 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.