Internet Resources

This is a wide-ranging list of online resources that all have something to say—or show—concerning presidents, first ladies and food. The archived White House websites;from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) are a good source for menus and information about food related to holidays and other occasions in some of the more recent White House administrations. This list also includes links to news stories, including reports on on African American White House chefs, a video tour of the White House kitchen, and a description of the gala state dinner hosted by the Kennedy's at which guests sailed down the Potomac River in barges to arrive at George Washington's Mt. Vernon estate.

*"Pot luck" with the "boys"—President Roosevelt's cowboy breakfast at Hugo, Colorado.* 1903. Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division

Resources from the White House and Other Historic Sites

Archived Presidential White House websites
White House websites are Presidential records and they are preserved by the National Archives and Records Administration in their Executive Office of the President Electronic Records Archive. These "frozen in time" sites are representations of the original websites and approximate the interface and functionality for easy access by the public; they are no longer updated so links to external websites and some internal pages will not work.
The Kennedy State Dinner at Mt. Vernon External
One of the most memorable events of the Kennedy administration was the state dinner for the president of Pakistan that took place on the east lawn at Mount Vernon.
The Kitchen at Mount Vernon External
About the kitchens at George Washington's Mount Vernon.
Painting of Andrew Jackson's Cheese Gift External
1886, Benjamin Perley Poore. A New York dairy farmer sent President Jackson an interesting gift: a 1,400-pound cheese. Jackson left it in the Entrance Hall of the White House to age for two years. In 1837 the President invited the public to come and eat it. The cheese was gone in two hours, but the stain and smell in the Entrance Hall lasted for a long while. From the White House Historical Association.
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello External
Information on the cooks, kitchens and vegetable gardens at Jefferson's Virginia home.
The White House State Dinner External
A state dinner honoring a visiting head of government or reigning monarch is one of the grandest and most glamorous of White House affairs. By Betty C Monkman.
President Eisenhower Sets Up His Grill External
President Dwight D. Eisenhower set up his portable grill in the area on the balcony outside of the Solarium. 1959. Photograph courtesy of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library. White House Historical Association website.

Newspaper and Journal Articles

All the Presidents Meals External
Compares state dinners over 14 administrations.. by C. K. Hickey. Foreign Policy, Feb. 16, 2019
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown | Dinner with former US President Barack Obama External
In an excerpt from the series Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Anthony Bourdain and former US President Barack Obama enjoy a meal together in a family run noodle shop in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Black presidential cooks in the White House External
Francis Lam on the Splendid Table
Culinary Diplomacy External
Rebecca Sheit interviews Sam Chapple-Sokol on "the nexus of food and diplomacy." The Splendid Table, Feb. 7, 2014
Dining for Detente External
The role food played during Nixon’s trip to China. The International Wine & Food Society, By Joseph Temple.July 18th, 2014.
Fast Food Once Again Served at White House External
by Betsy Klein. CNN, Mon March 4, 2019
Hercules and Hemings External
A report on two presidents' slave chefs, from The Kitchen Sisters on NPR.
Ice Cream: An American Favorite Since the Founding Fathers External
Dolley Madison, the first lady of the United States and wife of James Madison, popularized ice cream in the White House. One of her favorites was oyster ice cream, made with oysters from the Potomac River. By Mollly Yun, PBS Food, July 2013
Obama Foodarama
This website, archived by the Library of Congress, featured an independent blog about the President and First Lady's food initiatives, with reporting from the White House. Includes food and health policy and analysis, speeches and remarks, White House recipes and menus and more.
The Story of the Wildest Party in White House History External
The White House has seen a lot of big parties, but nothing compares to March 4, 1829, when Andrew Jackson’s open house sparked a mob scene that almost destroyed the president’s house. From the National Constitution Center, March 4, 2013. by Scott Bomboy
Tour of the White House Kitchen External
A C-SPAN video with White House Executive Chef, Christeta Comerford.
Why We’re So Obsessed With How Politicians Eat External
Food is an intimate activity thrust into a ceremonial role. Maybe that’s why it’s so fraught on the campaign trail.
By Sara Dickerman, POLITICO Magazine, March 17, 2019

More Resources

American Presidents' Food Favorites External
From the Food Timeline
Dolley Madison project External
Virginia Center for Digital History
Inaugural Luncheon menus
Since 1901, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies has been responsible for the planning and execution of the swearing-in ceremonies and the luncheon for the Inauguration of the President of the United States at the U.S. Capitol. This online resource begins with Ronald Reagan's inaugural luncheon in 1981.

Presidential Food: A Resource Guide

Science & Technical Reports: Ask a Librarian

Internet Resources

Resources from the White House and Other Historic Sites

Newspaper and Journal Articles

More Resources