The Kennedys and President Khan and His Daughter at Mount Vernon
This photograph of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on July 11, 1961. President and Mrs. Kennedy are photographed in front of Mount Vernon alongside President Mohammad Ayub Khan of Pakistan and his daughter, Begum Nasir Akhtar Aurangzeb. Mount Vernon provided the location and backdrop for a State Dinner held in President Khans honor and was the first of its kind held outside the White House. Mrs. Kennedy wore a dress designed for her by Oleg Cassini, which she requested be columnar in shape to echo Mount Vernons historic facade. Mount Vernon was the estate of President George Washington.
Photographer
Robert L. Knudsen
Date of Work
July 11, 1961
Type
Photograph
Credit
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
James Hoban, the original architect of the President's House, intended that the space now called the "Green Room" be used as a "Common Dining Room." An 1801 inventory revealed that first residents President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams actually used it as a guest bedchamber. However, the next chief executive, Thomas Jefferson, did serve meals in this room. Jefferson
The White House celebrates many holiday traditions, some of which are historic and others more recent. New arrivals to the Executive Mansion bring unique familial rituals that are often blended with time-tested White House and presidential customs. During the holiday season, the president and first lady participate in public traditions such as receiving a tree for the Blue Room, lighting
The collection of fine art at the White House has evolved and grown over time. The collection began with mostly presidential portraits, commissioned or purchased by Congress, or donated by presidential descendants. In the era before photography, some presidents invited painters to set up studios in the White House to record significant events and paint their likeness. In the late