Blue Room, Andrew Johnson Administration

This photograph of the Blue Room was taken in the early 1870s, likely during the Ulysses S. Grant administration. Andrew Johnson's daughter, Martha Johnson Patterson, decorated the room during his administration (1865-1869) with geometrical patterns to contrast with the oval shape of the room. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion and is famous for its oval shape, central location, and views of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial through the South Portico windows. This photograph was shot looking north.