State Dining Room Historical Photo Essay
President George W. Bush addresses ambassadors and other distinguished guests during a dinner for Ramadan in the State Dining Room, Nov. 19, 2001. Laura Bush lights the candles for the administration's first state dinner, which welcomed Mexican President Vicente Fox and 136 guests Sept. 5, 2001. Before the 1902 renovation, the State Dining Room was 30 percent smaller and only able to accommodate 40 guests for dinner. Decorated for the holidays, the State Dining Room showcases custom-made white and gold carolers, Dec. 5, 2001. President George W. Bush meets with Chief of Staff Andy Card, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and Press Secretary Ari Fleischer in the State Dining Room before a luncheon in the Blue Room May 2, 2002. Thomas Jefferson used the State Dining Room as his office.
President Theodore Roosevelt's State Dining Room was baronial style and featured stuffed moose and elk heads on the walls. In contrast, the first cabinet dinner in this room on Dec. 18, 1902 featured pink roses and candles. President and Mrs. Eisenhower are all smiles as they host a 1960 Christmas Party in the State Dining Room. This 1849 daguerreotype of James Polk in the State Dining Room was this first photograph taken of a president and his cabinet. 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.
 

Enjoy photographs capturing events and occurrences in the State Dining Room. The top row is a collection taken during President George W. Bush's administration. The bottom row highlights historical events in the State Dining Room.