Jackie believed that the White House, or the '18th-century house,' was a museum that should reflect the style of previous presidents who had occupied the space and the artistic heritage of America.Įvery object that the Kennedys chose for inclusion within the Oval Office was reflective of JFK's presidency.

HMS Macedonian painting would be placed through a strict vetting process.Īccording to historian Laura Smith, Jackie Kennedy sought “to restore the historic integrity of the White House as a living museum and to provide protection henceforth.” Jackie was committed to the notion that she must re-establish ‘history’ within this historic space. Each piece that was carefully chosen for inclusion within the Oval Office was guided by Du Pont and Kennedy’s joint treatise “The White House as a Symbol.” The treatise maintained that each piece from the recently restored Resolute desk to Thomas Birch’s USS United States vs.

Jackie worked tirelessly establishing a Fine Arts Committee which inspected the furniture, objects, and artworks that flowed in and out of the historic residence. While John held office Jackie transformed the White House into a cultural institution. To assist in her design decisions concerning this powerful space Jackie recruited renowned interior designers Sister Parish and Stéphane Boudin for their taste in decor and Winterthur’s Henry Du Pont for his expertise in American antiques. Kennedy the overall interior design of the Oval Office displayed First Lady Jackie Kennedy’s, one of the most fashionable first ladies, genius visions. While a few objects, such as the model boats, were chosen by John F. To date one of the most recognizable and controversial redecorations of the Oval Office occurred under the Kennedy Administration in 1961. Historically the White House, the center of Western power and one of the most recognizable houses in history, has been a contentious site for decoration since John Adams occupied the home in 1800. The White House: Inside America's Most Famous Home, 2011 Edition

Oval office layout