Event History Happy Hour: You’re Invited to “Entertaining at the White House”
As part of the White House Historical Association’s 2023 Presidential Sites Summit, History Happy Hour will be live streaming a sp...
Main Content
State Dinners at the White House have been a tradition for more than a hundred years and are examples of goodwill and influence between the United States and other nations.
As part of an official State Visit, the White House State Dinner is an opportunity for the president and first lady to honor a visiting head of state. In addition to expressing goodwill and hospitality, the State Dinner showcases global power and influence and sets the tone for the continuation of dialogue between the president and the visiting head of state.
The tradition of State Dinners originated in 1874, when President Ulysses Grant hosted King David Kalakaua of the Kingdom of Hawai’i. In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt expanded the State Dining Room as part of a larger White House renovation, allowing for larger gatherings. While the White House underwent a complete interior reconstruction from 1948 to 1952, President Harry Truman lived at Blair House and State Dinners took place in local hotels.
The current traditions and formalities of State Dinners were solidified during the 1950s and 60s. The first lady and her staff are responsible for the elaborate planning and attention behind the ceremony of the State Dinner. The event involves the creation of invitations and carefully selected guest lists, menus, flowers, table settings, seating arrangements and entertainment for the evening. The first lady works closely with her social secretary, the executive residence staff, and the State Department to coordinate every detail of the night.
Examples of State Dinners throughout history:
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact press@whha.org or Jessica Fredericks, Assistant Vice President of Communications, at JFredericks@whha.org.
For all media inquiries, contact press@whha.org.
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. She sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. In 1961, the nonprofit, nonpartisan White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion’s legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association’s mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the Association has given more than $100 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission.
To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org.
As part of the White House Historical Association’s 2023 Presidential Sites Summit, History Happy Hour will be live streaming a sp...
The White House Historical Association will host the Presidential Sites Summit on September 25 - 28, 2023. The Summit will open with a...
The White House Historical Association’s third lecture of the 2023 Quarterly Lecture Series, White House History with Frank Sesno, took pl...
The White House Historical Association has named Dr. Matthew Costello as Chief Education Officer to oversee the Association’s education pr...
In the 1960s, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy oversaw the task of restoring the White House interiors and thus founded the...
Join the White House Historical Association for the third installment of its 2023 Quarterly Lecture Series, “Black Voices in the Media,” mode...
Considered one of the most intriguing first ladies, this talk will explore many of the myths and misperceptions surrounding Abraham...
The White House Historical Association today released the 70th issue of its award-winning magazine, White House History Quarterly, “Behind the Sc...
Dr. Robert Watson joins us to discuss his new book, When Washington Burned: The British Invasion of the Capital and...
Less than a month before the 1964 presidential election, First Lady Lady Bird Johnson traveled for four days through the American...
Paul Carter initially published "Native Son: Richard Nixon’s Southern California," a unique map biography of President Nixon. The research fo...
The White House Historical Association released a new episode of The White House 1600 Sessions podcast today featuring a conversation with...