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 taken in May 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration, shows the Family Dining Room furnished with American pieces of the Federal period. The portrait on the right sideboard is of President John Tyler by G. P. A. Healy. 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 shows the Lincoln Bedroom during the John F. Kennedy administration. 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 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. 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 by Bates Littlehales captures the Empire-style pier table in the Blue Room in March 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The pier table was made around 1817 from gilded and carved beechwood by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé. Atop the table is Giuseppe Ceracchi's marble bust of President George Washington, which had been in storage until it was identified by White House Curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce as an item from the Monroe presidency. For First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration of the White House, the Blue Room was restored to the period of the Monroe presidency. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The oval parlor has been known as the Blue Room since Martin Van Buren’s 1837 redecoration. The room is often used for receptions, photo opportunities, and during the holiday season is home to the official White House Christmas Tree. 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 the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial was taken from a window in the Blue Room during the John F. Kennedy administration in March 1962. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The oval parlor has been known as the Blue Room since President Martin Van Buren's 1837 redecoration. The room is often used for receptions, photo opportunities, and during the holiday season is home to the official White House Christmas Tree. The central room looks out upon the South Portico and South Lawn of the White House Grounds. 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 was taken in the Entrance Hall in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration. Located on the State Floor of the White House, the Entrance Hall welcomes visitors arriving through the North Portico to the Executive Mansion. The presidential seal hangs on the wall, located just above the entrance into the Blue Room, as seen in this photograph. 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 was taken in the Entrance Hall in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration. Located on the State Floor of the White House, the Entrance Hall welcomes visitors arriving through the North Portico to the Executive Mansion. The presidential seal hangs on the wall, located just above the entrance into the Blue Room, as seen in this photograph. 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 the Treaty Room was taken in May 1962. The Treaty Room is located on the Second Floor of the White House and has been used as the president’s private study where the commander-in-chief can analyze reports, hold private meetings, edit speeches, and host family gatherings. It is one of the most historic rooms in the house, bearing witness to the signing of the peace protocol between Spain and United States in 1898, and the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union in 1963, and it is possibly where President James Monroe composed the Monroe Doctrine. It has also served as the Cabinet Room for various administrations including Ulysses Grant, Rutherford Hayes, and William McKinley. 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 shows the Lincoln Bedroom during the John F. Kennedy administration. 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 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. 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 the Treaty Room was taken in May 1962. The Treaty Room is located on the Second Floor of the White House and has been used as the president’s private study where the commander-in-chief can analyze reports, hold private meetings, edit speeches, and host family gatherings. It is one of the most historic rooms in the house, bearing witness to the signing of the peace protocol between Spain and United States in 1898, and the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union in 1963, and it is possibly where President James Monroe composed the Monroe Doctrine. It has also served as the Cabinet Room for various administrations including Ulysses Grant, Rutherford Hayes, and William McKinley. 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 by Bates Littlehales captures the Blue Room in March 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The oval parlor has been known as the Blue Room since Martin Van Buren’s 1837 redecoration. The room is often used for receptions, photo opportunities, and during the holiday season is home to the official White House Christmas Tree. 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 the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial was taken from a window in the Blue Room during the John F. Kennedy administration in March 1962. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The oval parlor has been known as the Blue Room since President Martin Van Buren's 1837 redecoration. The room is often used for receptions, photo opportunities, and during the holiday season is home to the official White House Christmas Tree. The central room looks out upon the South Portico and South Lawn of the White House Grounds. 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 by Bates Littlehales captures the Empire-style pier table in the Blue Room in March 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The pier table was made around 1817 from gilded and carved beechwood by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé. Atop the table is Giuseppe Ceracchi's marble bust of President George Washington, which had been in storage until it was identified by White House Curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce as an item from the Monroe presidency. For First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration of the White House, the Blue Room was restored to the period of the Monroe presidency. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The oval parlor has been known as the Blue Room since Martin Van Buren’s 1837 redecoration. The room is often used for receptions, photo opportunities, and during the holiday season is home to the official White House Christmas Tree. 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 from May 1962, a photographer, possibly George F. Mobley of the National Geographic Service, ascends a ladder of a firetruck parked on Pennsylvania Avenue to capture an aerial view of the White House. The photo session was for the cover of the first edition of "The White House: An Historic Guide," a publication released by the White House Historical Association that serves a companion book for tours of the White House, providing history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture.

In this photograph from May 1962, a photographer, possibly George F. Mobley of the National Geographic Service, ascends a ladder of a firetruck parked on Pennsylvania Avenue to capture an aerial view of the White House. The photo session was for the cover of the first edition of "The White House: An Historic Guide," a publication released by the White House Historical Association that serves a companion book for tours of the White House, providing history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture.

In this photograph from May 1962, a photographer, possibly George F. Mobley of the National Geographic Service, ascends the ladder of a firetruck parked on Pennsylvania Avenue to capture an aerial view of the White House. The photo session was for the cover of the first edition of "The White House: An Historic Guide," a publication released by the White House Historical Association that serves a companion book for tours of the White House, providing history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture. This photograph was taken from Lafayette Square, just north of the White House.

In this photograph from May 1962, a photographer, possibly George F. Mobley of the National Geographic Service, ascends the ladder of a firetruck parked on Pennsylvania Avenue to capture an aerial view of the White House. The photo session was for the cover of the first edition of "The White House: An Historic Guide," a publication released by the White House Historical Association that serves a companion book for tours of the White House, providing history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture.

This aerial photograph of the White House was taken in May 1962 by George F. Mobley and Bates Littlehales during the administration of John F. Kennedy. This photograph was captured during a session for the cover of the first edition of "The White House: An Historic Guide," released by the White House Historical Association in 1963. The shot was captured atop the ladder of a firetruck situated on Pennsylvania Avenue in Lafayette Park.

In this photograph from May 1962, a photographer, possibly George F. Mobley of the National Geographic Service, ascends a ladder of a firetruck parked on Pennsylvania Avenue to capture a aerial view of the White House. The photo session was for the cover of the first edition of "The White House Guidebook," a publication released by the White House Historical Association that serves a companion book for tours of the White House, providing history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture. In the foreground of this photograph, Lafayette Square and its central statue of President Andrew Jackson are visible.

This photograph of Lafayette Park was taken in May 1962 by George F. Mobley and Bates Littlehales during the administration of John F. Kennedy. Pictured here is Clark Mills' equestrian statue honoring President Andrew Jackson, which stands near the center of Lafayette Park, a public park just north of the White House.

This photograph of Lafayette Park was taken in May 1962 by George F. Mobley and Bates Littlehales during the administration of John F. Kennedy. Pictured here is Clark Mills' equestrian statue honoring President Andrew Jackson, which stands near the center of Lafayette Park, a public park just north of the White House.

In this photograph from May 1962, a photographer, possibly George F. Mobley of the National Geographic Service, ascends a ladder of a firetruck parked on Pennsylvania Avenue to capture an aerial view of the White House. The photo session was for the cover of the first edition of "The White House: An Historic Guide," a publication released by the White House Historical Association that serves a companion book for tours of the White House, providing history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture.

This aerial photograph of the White House was taken in May 1962 by George F. Mobley and Bates Littlehales during the administration of John F. Kennedy. This photograph was captured during a session for the cover of the first edition of "The White House: An Historic Guide," released by the White House Historical Association in 1963. The shot was captured atop the ladder of a firetruck situated on Pennsylvania Avenue in Lafayette Park.

In this photograph from May 1962, a photographer, possibly George F. Mobley of the National Geographic Service, ascends a ladder of a firetruck parked on Pennsylvania Avenue to capture an aerial view of the White House. The photo session was for the cover of the first edition of "The White House: An Historic Guide," a publication released by the White House Historical Association that serves a companion book for tours of the White House, providing history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture.