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Life in the White House: an exclusive presentation by whitehouse.gov.

Historical Photo Essays

White House
First Lady Pat Nixon greets visitors to the White House on December 23, 1969.
Cross Halls
President and Mrs. Bush highlight the importance of early childhood education in an East Room event April 3, 2002. Following their remarks, PBS KIDS characters from Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood and Between the Lions entertained the audience.
East Room
Jacqueline Kennedy greets the wives of astronauts, America's newest heroes and explorers, in the Green Room May 8, 1961.
Green Room
Before delivering his address to Congress and the nation following the attacks of September 11, President George W. Bush speaks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Blue Room, Sept. 20, 2001.
Blue Room
Vice President Dick Cheney and Dr. Condoleezza Rice speak in the Red Room before a press availability by the President of Pakistan Feb. 13, 2002. In contrast to the large East Room, the smaller Red Room has provided a place for quiet conversation over the years.
Red Room
Appointed by then-President Richard Nixon, future President George H.W. Bush is sworn-in as U.S. Representative to the United Nations in the State Dining Room February 26, 1971.
State Dining Room
First Lady Frances Cleveland holds baby Esther, the first and only child of a president to be born at the White House. Esther was born on September 9 , 1893.
Family Life
From the Diplomatic Reception Room doorway on April 16, 2002, Barney waits attentively for President Bush. Before the 1902 renovation, the Diplomatic Room and the other rooms on the ground floor were used for storage.
Downstairs Corridor
A closeup of the West Point panel shows a conversation among the ladies.
Diplomatic Room Wallpaper
West Wing
Within hours of President Franklin Roosevelt's death, Vice President Harry Truman takes the oath of office in a brief ceremony in the Cabinet Room April 12, 1945.
Cabinet Room
While sitting in front of the fireplace in the Oval Office February 7, 1977, President Jimmy Carter hosts a lunch for Vice President Mondale and energy adviser James Schlesinger. Hanging above the mantel is Charles Willson Peale's portrait of George Washington, which President Carter acquired for the White House's permanent art collection.
Oval Office
President Richard Nixon talks with reporters in the new Press Briefing Room April 17, 1970. The room was built over the site of Franklin Roosevelt's swimming pool.
Press Briefing Room
President Reagan signs the proclamation for Afghanistan Day on March 20, 1987 in the Roosevelt Room, which houses the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Teddy Roosevelt.
Roosevelt Room
When President Theodore Roosevelt and his six children moved into the White House in September 1901, they were crowded on the second floor, which housed family living quarters and offices for staff. President Roosevelt ordered the construction of a temporary office building and a restoration of the White House in 1902.
West Wing