Carriages of the Presidents

President Franklin Pierce preferred an informal coach and often rode through Washington in an "unpretentious one-horse shay." His two-wheeled chaise was built by C. P. Kimball Company of Chicago and presented as a gift to President Franklin Pierce in 1851.

Chester A. Arthur was far more conspicuous in his stylish dark green landau. It was drawn by two perfectly matched mahogany bays with flowing manes and tails. The harness was mounted with silver and had dark green kersey dress blankets ornamented with the presidents monogram.

Grover Cleveland and Mrs. Cleveland kept five matched brown horses in the White House stable for their carriages. Their favorite was the open landau that was taken out for drives in the Rock Creek valley and the surrounding hills of Washington.

Andrew Johnson, James A. Garfield and William McKinley also greatly enjoyed such relaxing excursions with their wives and families.

Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes were the most avid enthusiasts of driving as a sport. No matter what the purpose, the presidents style always was on display in carriages, equipage and livery.

President Grant custom-designed this personal carriage, built by the Wood Brothers of New York City in 1870, to comfortably seat four people. It featured a compartment for food and refreshments under the driver's seat.

President Woodrow Wilson rode in an open landau during "gasless days" during World War I. After his presidency, as a reminder of his wartime service, he rode in a carriage to dedicate the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 1921.