National Museum of American History
Ceremonial Court
April 6, 1989 – July 16, 2006
The exhibition provides a glimpse of White House family life and serves as a setting for objects associated with the presidents. The entry closely resembles the Cross Hall of the White House as it was renovated in 1902 during Theodore Roosevelt's administration. The Hall includes two trompe l'oeil paintings—one depicting the Roosevelt children at play on the Grand Staircase in the White House and the other depicting the State Dining Room.Re-creations of other White House spaces from 1902 to the present are also on view.
Plaster work, mantels, pilasters, giant mirrors, and crystal chandeliers came to the Smithsonian after a complete reconstruction and renovation of the White House by McKim, Meade, and White during the 1950s. On view are examples of White House china from George Washington's Chinese export porcelain to more recent patterns, and fine examples of American art glass, jewelry, red earthenware, silver, stoneware, and painted tinware.
