Vermeil Room

The Vermeil Room is a reception space on the ground floor of the White House displaying roughly 1,575 pieces of silver-gilt tableware. The room serves as a formal sitting area during official events and features Georgian-style architectural elements with Federal period furnishings.

Margaret Thompson Biddle donated her extensive vermeil collection to the White House in 1956. This gift transformed the former staff bedroom into a dedicated exhibition space.

The room displays portraits of First Ladies such as Jackie Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt alongside Georgian-style details. These elements together reflect how the space honors the contributions of presidential wives throughout the nation's history.

The space is kept at a controlled temperature to protect the delicate objects on display. Visitors can see it as part of White House tours, which operate at set times throughout the day.

The collection includes pieces from different eras, ranging from Renaissance designs to 19th-century French and English metalwork. This variety shows how craftsmanship from around the world is gathered in one room across centuries of history.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Part of: White House

GPS coordinates: 38.89760,-77.03630

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:20