Today marks a unique moment in White House history as the Old Family Dining Room, located on the State Floor, welcomes the public for the very first time. This room, steeped in nearly two centuries of presidential family life, offers a fascinating glimpse into the more intimate side of the White House.
A History of Family Dining in the White House
Established in 1825 by President John Quincy Adams and his wife, this smaller dining room adjacent to the State Dining Room was initially designed as a dedicated space for family meals. For 38 presidential families, it served as the primary “breakfast room,” a designation particularly emphasized by the Hoovers who preferred the State Dining Room for formal dinners. However, prior to the Kennedys, this room was the central hub for all family dining occasions within the White House.
The White House Old Family Dining Room ready for its public debut, showcasing its historical significance as a space for presidential family dining.
Transition and Evolving Purpose
In 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy redefined the concept of family dining within the White House, relocating the family’s dining area to their private quarters upstairs. This shift transformed the Old Family Dining Room’s function. While it remained a space for meals, its purpose evolved to hosting smaller, more official gatherings, including working lunches with international heads of state.
Reflecting on its décor, the room initially featured red draperies dating back to a 1952 renovation under President Truman. This is how it appeared when Mrs. Kennedy first undertook its redesign.
The Old Family Dining Room in 1952, showcasing the red draperies from the Truman era, before Jacqueline Kennedy’s redesign, highlighting its earlier family dining aesthetic.
Jacqueline Kennedy’s Influence on Family Dining Décor
In 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy significantly remodeled the room, opting for gold draperies and introducing a yellow color scheme that would define its aesthetic for years to come. This redesign marked a shift in the room’s ambiance, moving towards a brighter and more formal appearance, even as it continued to serve as a space connected to family dining history.
The Old Family Dining Room after Jacqueline Kennedy’s 1963 renovation, featuring gold draperies and a yellow color scheme, representing a new era in its family dining history.
In more recent times, before its current public opening, the room often served practical purposes during large events. It acted as a staging area for state dinners and as an overflow space for White House staff during events in the State Dining Room.
The White House Old Family Dining Room in 2009, demonstrating its continued use and preparation for events, while retaining its historical family dining roots.
A Modern Transformation
Today, the Old Family Dining Room is unveiled with a contemporary vision. Spearheaded by the First Lady and funded by a donation from the White House Historical Association, the refurbishment showcases modern art and design. The room now features gray walls, gilded sconces, and red draperies reminiscent of Mrs. Kennedy’s 1963 style, but in a less formal interpretation. Anni Albers’ “Black, White, and Gray” pictorial weaving has been adapted into a wool rug, and a Philadelphia bookcase displays 20th-century American tableware, including the 1939 World’s Fair tea service.
Adding to its modern character, four pieces of American abstract art, favored by the First Family, are now part of the room’s permanent collection. These include works by Alma Thomas, Robert Rauschenberg, and Josef Albers, each strategically placed to complement the room’s new design.
This unveiling not only opens a historic room to the public but also highlights the evolving role of family dining within the White House and its ongoing adaptation to reflect both history and contemporary aesthetics.
By William Allman, Curator of the White House
