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The National Photo Company
During the administrations of Presidents Wilson, Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover, the National Photo Company provided extensive coverage of events at the White House and throughout Washington, DC. The National Photo Company was a local agency that supplied photographs of current news events in Washington, D.C. as a daily service to its subscribers. The company's photos captured many historic and
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Gingerbread at the White House
A recipe for soft gingerbread appeared in the earliest American cookbooks. First Ladies Martha Washington and Dolley Madison both had their own soft gingerbread cake recipes. In 1929, First Lady Lou Hoover decorated a tree with gingerbread men and gingerbread horses. In 1965, Lady Bird Johnson adorned the official Blue Room Christmas tree with gingerbread cookies. Then, in 1969, Assistant Executive Chef Hans
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Remembering First Lady Nancy Reagan
As first lady, Nancy Reagan lent her support to the Foster Grandparent Program, the subject of her 1982 book, To Love A Child, and concentrated on the fight against drug and alcohol abuse among young people. Mrs. Reagan also directed a major renovation of the second and third floors of the White House during her time as First Lady, and commissioned
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Canadian State Dinner Preview
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted The Right Honorable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P., Prime Minister of Canada and Mrs. Sophie Grégoire Trudeau for an Official Visit on March 10, 2016, followed by a State Dinner. At a preview of the State Dinner, the meal, which features an array of ingredients from the Pacific Northwest to the A
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Civil War Veterans at the White House
In May 1865, at the close of hostilities, a Grand Review throughout Washington, D.C., exhibited parading Union troops from the Eastern and Western Theaters of the Civil War. For numerous Civil War veterans, this was their last memorable act as soldiers, as many were soon mustered out of service and began civilian life. After the last Civil War veterans passed
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The United States Marine Band: Origins & Traditions
The Marine Band, the first musical ensemble to perform at the White House, has provided a continual opportunity for presidents to enjoy music. President Thomas Jefferson, an avid violinist, called music his "favorite passion." President James Madison invited the band to perform at the first inaugural ball. President Abraham Lincoln found the band's concerts a lift from the gloom of
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The United States Marine Band: Hail to the Chief
"Hail to the Chief," with its preceding fanfare Ruffles and Flourishes, is traditionally played to announce the arrival of the president at official functions. The melody was based on an old Gaelic air, and adapted from Sir Walter Scott’s poem, The Lady of the Lake. "Hail to the Chief" is attributed to English composer James Sanderson. The song was al
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The United States Marine Band: Music as Diplomacy
Music has been an essential part of life in the White House from the earliest days of our nation, not only as a "companion" to divert, delight, and "sweeten many hours," as Thomas Jefferson professed, but also as an element of the pageantry accompanying international diplomacy. Through the years the United States Marine Band has musically represented the nation before
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The United States Marine Band: John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa, Director (1880-1892), brought world fame to "The President's Own." While the organization was already considered a national institution, Sousa's dynamic leadership transformed the Marine Band's repertoire, emphasized symphonic music, changed the instrumentation, and made rehearsals exceptionally strict. He conducted the band's first sound recordings, initiated its first national concert tour, and began to write the marches that
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The United States Marine Band: The President's Own
A long and distinguished association with the presidency has honored the Marine Band. There is a sense of family among band members toward the presidents and their families, and the feeling is mutual. On one occasion during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln appeared outside during a Marine Band concert and the audience clapped and clamored for a speech. The
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