Welcome to the video channel of the white house historical association, where we showcase the history of americas most famous house. The room that was once jeffersons library and office became a dining room and, at times, a billiards room for state dinners so that the east room could remain clear for an accompanying reception. Presents many fascinating aspects of culinary life in the white house. The state dining room, 1871, an illustration white house. State dining room in the white house library of congress. It is used for receptions, luncheons, larger formal dinners, and state dinners for visiting heads of state on state visits. National journal us first lady hillary clinton poses next to a gingerbread house in the state dining room created by the white house chefs 03 december at the white house in washington, dc.
State dining room historical photo essay president george w. Todays state dining room incorporates the space that president thomas jefferson used as a private office. By the close of the hayes administration in 1881, teas had become a central part of white house entertaining and lucy hayes had acquired the nickname lemonade lucy. The white house historical association will release a new edition of its white house history quarterly next month, this one.
The gilbert stuart portrait of george washington hung on the west wall before first lady dolley madison had it removed to safety in 1814 before the white house was burned by the british. State dining room in the white house contributor names johnston, frances benjamin, 18641952, photographer created published between 1889 and 1906, printed between 1960. A dinner at the white house has always had significance beyond the merely gastronomical. State dining room white house historical association. Inside the white house white house rooms dk find out. Bush meets with chief of staff andy card, national security adviser condoleezza rice and press secretary ari fleischer in the state dining room before a luncheon in the blue room may 2, 2002. Also included in the book are photographs of the works of art displayed in the white house. This includes 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8. The room s paneling was repainted bone white while the chandelier and sconces were regilded. The state dining room, 1871, an illustration a state dinner for the british high joint commissioners in 1871 illustrated by frank leslies illustrated newspaper. However, the room has changed more than one might suspect over the years. Anyone who enjoys reading about american history or who has visited the white house in the past will thoroughly enjoy this book.
Trump, presidential, white house, diplomatic, air force one, military, washington d. A staircase at the west end of the cross hall that led to the family quarters was removed in 1902 to enlarge the state dining room. The blue room is one of three state parlors on the first floor in the white house, the residence of the president of the united states. The state dining room, which now seats as many as 140 guests, was originally much smaller and served at various times as a drawing room, office, and cabinet room. In this collection well see how the style of each room has evolved with its purpose, and reveal the results their recent multiyear refurbishment process, which was funded entirely by the white house historical association. The winding staircase to the east of the entrance hall led to the rooms on the east end of the second floor that were used as the presidential offices before the creation of the west wing. Artist frank leslie date of work 1871 medium lithograph type. Originally office space, the state dining room received its name during the presidency of james monroe, at which time it was f. By removing a staircase, the architects significantly expanded the state dining room. Dining in the executive mansion white house historical. The room seats 140 and measures approximately 48 by 36 feet. So if you dont have the first edition and want a great book on the white house s interior and history, by all means grab it. Includes portraits of martha washington and mary todd lincoln, the white house kitchen and great state dining room.
This floor also has the green, red, and blue rooms, used for official ceremonies and receptions. The white house historical association february 8 the state dining room is the center of hospitality at the white house, serving as the backdrop for many state dinners and other official functions. Not until the andrew jackson administration was it called the state dining room, although it had been used for formal dinners by previous presidents. The state dining room, similar in appearance to the east room, hosts banquets for important guests. The state dining room about this video the state dining room, which now seats as many as 140 guests, was originally much smaller and served at various times as a drawing room, office, and cabinet room. Diane shah recalls dining with frank sinatra, breaking into white house, hiding from larry bird in new book diane shah had no idea that a story she wrote on reggie jackson would lead to a. Welcome to our online tour of the white house, the first familys home. President james madison established the state dining room in 1809. The diplomatic reception room is one of three oval rooms in the executive residence of the white house, the official home of the president of the united states. Lincoln in the state dining room for over 75 years, george peter alexander healys portrait of abraham lincoln has remained an important aesthetic element for the wh. The green room is one of three state parlors on the first floor of the white house, the home of the president of the united states. Collection a tour of the white house in 1961, first lady jacqueline kennedy resolved to make the white house a living museum by restoring the historic integrity of the. Known for a classical historical style and superb craftsmanship, willan f. About the manufacturer known for a classical historical style and superb craftsmanship, willan f.
A newly redecorated wh state dining room was unveiled, featuring peacock blue and ecrustriped silk draperies, among other historically inspired changes. The state dining room is one of the most heavilyused chambers in the white house. State dining room art and furnishings life in the white house the state dining room, which now seats as many as 140 guests, was originally much smaller and served at various times as a drawing room, office, and cabinet room. The white house kitchen when she toured the white house kitchen in 1933, eleanor roosevelts housekeeper henrietta nesbitt found cockroaches crawling in its cupboards. The largest room in the white house, known as the east room, is located on this floor. The only private residence of a head of state open free of charge to the public, the white house reflects a nations history through the accumulated collections of its residing presidents, and. During a state dinner, guests are served cocktails in the three state parlors before the president, first lady, and a visiting head of state descend the grand staircase for dinner.
Before the 1902 renovation, the room could only hold 40 guests for dinner. The state dining room underwent the most dramatic transformation of any room on the state floor of the white house. State rooms like the red room, adorned with a portrait of martin van burens daughter. Diane shah recalls dining with frank sinatra, breaking. For 70 years the white house gift shop is the authentic place for president donald j. The first familys private dining room is known variously as the presidents dining room or family residence dining room but should not be confused with the presidents dining room in the west wing, which is also sometimes called the oval office dining room and is sometimes actually a study, or with the family dining room on the first floor of. President chester arthur commissioned designer louis tiffany to redecorate the state dining room in 1882. Designed by james hoban, the white house has 2 rooms, 35 bathrooms and 6 levels in the residence. For over two hundred years, its served as a formal dining room for up to 140 guests, a place for business meetings and forums, a presidential office, a cabinet room, and a drawing room. The red room is one of three state parlors on the state floor in the white house, the home of the president of the united states in washington, d.
The state dining room is the larger of two dining rooms on the state floor of the executive residence of the white house, the home of the president of the united states in washington, d. History of white house china patterns obama white house. The room has served as a parlor and music room, and recent presidents have held small dinner parties in it. In this collection well see how the style of each room has evolved.
The state dining room fireplace in 1948, with 1902 mantel, before reconstruction truman library abbie rowe eleanor roosevelt in the state dining room with high school students in 1942. Dining at the white house from the president s table to yours chronicles chef john moeller s journey from small town lancaster, pennsylvania, to his remarkable years working as a white house chef to three presidents. We invite you to click on the links below to view the different rooms of the white house. It is located on the ground floor and is used as an entrance from the south lawn, and a reception room for foreign ambassadors to present their credentials, a ceremony formerly conducted in the blue room. State dining room oval decoupage wine coaster the white. White house state dining room white house historical. Presidential favourites have been compiled within this historic recipe book. An historic guide written and published by the white house historical association. The state dining room of the white house in washington, d. Another product featuring this image is the state dining room decoupagetray.
This book is of great interest to me personally because of my visit to the white house several years ago. The incredible history of jackie kennedys decorating of. The elegance of the state dining room and the intimacy of the family dining room set the stage for the politics and diplomacy that happen between courses. Another product featuring this image is the state dining room oval decoupage wine coaster. By far the greatest cost was tiffanys artistic painting. It has been traditionally decorated in shades of red. Where history lives, the state dining room of the white house. Bush, president william jefferson clinton and president george w. The room is used for receptions and receiving lines and is occasionally set for small dinners.