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Many hands carefully hoist the Frank G. Cootes portrait of President Woodrow Wilson into position over the mantel in the Red Room on March 20, 1952.
Harry S. Truman Library Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
With the White House renovation complete, workers have just finished planting new tulip beds around the fountain on the north side of the mansion on March 25, 1952.
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum/NARA/National Park Service
On March 27, 1952, President Harry Truman and First Lady Bess Truman prepare to reoccupy the White House following its renovation. From left to right, Charles K. Clauch, Usher; President Harry S. Truman; Howell G. Crim, Chief Usher; First Lady Elizabeth Truman; Alonzo Fields, Maitre d'hotel; and J.B. West, Usher. At far right, William Kelly, Project Manager, Public Buildings, and Jess Larson, General Services Administration, admire the ceremonial White House key they are about to present to the president.
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
As moving vans deliver furnishings for the inside of the Presidents house, employees of the National Capital Parks place new sod on the south lawn on March 18, 1952.
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum/NARA/National Park ServiceAbout this Gallery
On the evening of March 27, 1952, in a small ceremony at the entrance door, President Truman received a gold key to the newly renovated White House. After spending more than three years living in the smaller quarters of the Blair House across the street, the first family returned to the mansion for their first night back in residence. It was both the same house they had left three years earlier and a new and larger home as well. Its original 48 rooms had expanded to 54, not including two entirely new sub-basement levels containing service areas and other support facilities.
In a live television special, the president proudly toured the renovated house, telling of events in its history. President Truman's renovation was the most radical in the history of the White House. His goal was to rebuild the house for all time. It remains today, redecorated, but essentially as he left it.
From First Lady Dolley Madison's sister Lucy Payne Washington's wedding in 1812 to the nuptials of President Joseph Biden and First Lady Jill Biden's granddaughter Naomi Biden on the South Lawn in November 2022, the White House has long been the site of wedding ceremonies and receptions. In over two hundred years, there have been nineteen documented weddings and four receptions hosted
Featuring Jonathan Darman, author of “Becoming FDR: The Personal Crisis That Made a President"
Every year since 1981, the White House Historical Association has had the privilege of designing the Official White House Christmas Ornament. These unique collectibles — honoring individual presidents or specific White House anniversaries — have become part of the holiday tradition for millions of American families. In this collection, explore the history behind our 2023 design and learn more about President Gerald R. Ford. Buy
In the 1960s, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy oversaw the task of restoring the White House interiors and thus founded the White House Historical Association to enhance the understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Executive Mansion. As a part of our mission, the Association provides financial support for acquisitions, refurbishing projects, and preservation initiatives of the White House, which involves collaboration
Featuring John F.W. Rogers, Chairman of the White House Historical Association’s Board of Directors
Featuring Frederick J. Ryan, author of “Wine and the White House: A History" and member of the White House Historical Association’s National Council on White House History
Featuring Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States
Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr., the nation’s only unelected president and vice president, served thirteen terms in Congress before rising to national attention in 1973, when President Richard Nixon nominated him as vice president. Less than a year later, Ford became president, following President Nixon's resignation from office. The Fords made and celebrated history during their time in the White House, fr
Featuring Alex Prud’homme, bestselling author and great-nephew of cooking legend Julia Child
Featuring Iain Dale, award-winning British author and radio and podcast host
Featuring Various Guests from Previous History Happy Hour Episodes
On November 22, 1963, about two hours after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson took the Oath of Office, becoming the thirty-sixth President of the United States. Prior to serving as vice president, Johnson had represented his home state of Texas for more than twenty years in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. As
