Collection Preservation of the White House
In the 1960s, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy oversaw the task of restoring the White House interiors and thus founded the...
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In the Elliptical Saloon, 1810-1814. Peter Waddell, The Splendid Mrs. Madison, oil on canvas, 48 x 60.
In his 2012 painting of a Madison levee, artist Peter Waddell combined puzzle-like a mass of details. Memoirs, private letters, household papers, and surviving artifacts such as costumes bring to life his interpretation of the oval saloon—today’s Blue Room—as it might have appeared at one of Dolley Madison’s lamplit receptions.
The object of these occasions, for all the fun they provided, was pure business. Rival political factions had heretofore boiled separately in local taverns, where the lawmakers lived. They swarmed to the White House levees and behaved themselves commendably in the presence of gracious women and colleagues who, but for politics, could be their friends.
Waddell’s painting—oil on canvas—shows the very large scale of the White House compared to other American houses. Benjamin Henry Latrobe’s designs were carried out in the plate mirror, with its playful frame, and in mirrored alcoves (those flanking the hall doorway) that reflected the south-facing windows across the room. Red velvet drapery, made in Georgetown by Mary Sweeney, pleased Mrs. Madison but were considered gaudy by Latrobe—although the red velvet was all he could procure in large yardage on short notice.
The handsome naval officer, Stephen Decatur, stands center, talking to Dolley Madison in pink. Other guests include local gentry from the district, Maryland, and Virginia and a mix of congressmen and senators. One can imagine the awe and delight the hardworking members found in such genteel surroundings. One of the roles of the White House through time has been to make guests feel on top of the world.
In the 1960s, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy oversaw the task of restoring the White House interiors and thus founded the...
Since the founding of America, spouses and relatives have served as White House hostess, public servant, and unofficial presidential adviser....
From First Lady Dolley Madison's sister Lucy Payne Washington's wedding in 1812 to the nuptials of President Joseph Biden and First...
Since 1965, the White House Historical Association has been proud to fund the official portraits of our presidents and first ladies,...
Since the James Madison presidency, St. John’s Church has been an important part of the life of Lafayette Square an...
Biographies & Portraits
Today, the celebration of Halloween conjures images of costumed trick-or-treaters, sweets, and jack-o'-lanterns; but there was a time when All...
Since the White House was first occupied by President John Adams in 1800, influential people and organizations—or those who hoped to...
From the beginning of its construction in 1792, until the 1902 renovation that shaped the modern identity and functions of the interior...
In April 1789, George Washington took the oath of office in New York City. Constitutional guidelines for inaugurations are sparse, offering...
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s advocacy for the arts endures as a vital part of th...
The collection of fine art at the White House has evolved and grown over time. The collection began with mostly...