Kitchen, Theodore Roosevelt Administration

This black-and-white photograph is a reprint of the Kitchen on the Ground Floor of the White House as it appeared during the administration of Theodore Roosevelt. In 1902, Roosevelt oversaw a significant remodeling project for the White House, including a re-configuring of the White House kitchens. Roosevelt unified the numerous basement kitchens into one large main kitchen and one everyday kitchen. The new kitchens featured white tile, nickel plate, and gloss white painted wall and floor finishes that gleamed. The larger of the remodeled kitchens, pictured in this photograph, was used to prepare meals for State functions, and equipped with four gas ovens and two hotel-size gas ranges. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987, catering to five first families and their distinguished guests.