The White House Oval Office, created in 1909, is both a ceremonial space and a working office. Presidents host world leaders and dignitaries there, as well as hold private meetings. They also address the public, sign bills into law, hear policy briefings, and conduct daily business from this symbolic room. Scroll through a slide show of presidents at work in the Oval Office.
Anthony Meucci. Pierre Toussaint (ca. 1781-1853). ca. 1825.
Gift of Miss Georgina Schuyler.
Lead support for the installation of the Oval Office provided by Ira A. Lipman with generous support from Richard Gilder and Leonard & Judy Lauder. The Suzanne Peck and Brian Friedman Meet the Presidents Gallery is made possible by a generous gift from Suzanne Peck and Brian Friedman.
Construction of the Oval Office installation is supported, in part, by public funds from Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council as part of our Citizenship Project.
The work of the Presidential Historical Commission has been made possible by the generous support of Leonard A. Lauder and the late Ira A. Lipman.
Exhibitions at The New York Historical are made possible by Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang and Oscar Tang, the Saunders Trust for American History, the Evelyn & Seymour Neuman Fund, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. WNET is the media sponsor.
