Easter Egg Roll: 1953

"The traditional Washington children's custom of Easter egg rolling on the White House lawn will be resumed April 6 after a lapse of 12 years, President Eisenhower decided today.... President Eisenhower personally has explored the potentialities of the White House lawn for the propulsion of rolling objects he has used it for golf practice from time to time... In 1942 the White House grounds were closed to the event because of the war, and the egg rolling was transferred to the West Grounds of the Capitol where 132,000 turned out. In 1943 the food saving order stopped the event."

—"Easter Eggs to Roll Once More at the White House This Year," The Washington Post, March 8, 1953

Date of Work: March 8, 1953
Medium: Photo
Credit: National Archives and Records Administration

Collection
The Kennedy Rose Garden

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White House Easter Egg Roll

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The White House Grounds began as approximately 85 acres of land chosen by George Washington and were cultivated by garden-loving President Thomas Jefferson. These shifting grounds around the Executive Mansion have seen retaining walls, green houses, vegetable gardens, and beautiful flowers. Changes to the landscape came in long intervals and evolved to fit the era and the needs of the residents.
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Easter Egg Roll Significant Dates

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About Our Authors

JAMES ARCHER ABBOTT is the Executive Director of the Lewes Historical Society in Lewes, Delaware. His publications include JANSEN, JANSEN Furniture, and Baltimore’s Billy Baldwin. He is the co-author of Designing Camelot. (WHH #60) WILLIAM ADAIR is a frame historian, conservator, and gilder in Washington, D.C. (WHH #54) MATTHEW ALGEO is a writer and journalist. He is the author of se
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Book Awards

2023 2023 Best Book Awards Furnishing the White House: The Decorative Arts Collection, Finalist, Art Life in the White House, Finalist, History: United States The Official White House Christmas Ornament: Collected Stories of a Holiday Tradition, Winner, Novelty & Gift Book Rocco at the White House Easter Egg Roll, Finalist, Children's Nonfiction Rocco at the White House Easter Egg Roll, Finalist, Children's
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Recent Book Releases

Official Residences Around the World by Abby Clouse-Radigan This survey of the official residences and offices of some fifty nations around the world represents nearly one thousand years of building and renovating. Who lives in these residences? What were their original purposes and how have they been adapted for modern use? How do they project and preserve each nation's heritage?
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White House Gardens Symposium Scholarly Contributors

Jim AdamsJim Adams has been gardening in Washington, D.C., for over 25 years. His D.C. career began at the U.S. National Arboretum, where he worked in the Fern Valley Native Plant Garden and then became Curator of the National Herb Garden. Following this, he served as Head Horticulturist for the British Ambassador’s Residence and then moved to th