White House China

Many large formal events at the White House include meals served on official china. These plates, cups, and bowls function both as dinnerware and decorative arts. For two hundred years, different presidents have ordered china to suit their tastes and accommodate an increasing number of guests who dine at the Executive Mansion. Today, the White House has a room on the Ground Floor dedicated to displaying various administrations' plates and cups, which have grown into an official collection. Understanding the history of White House china provides a lens on American culture and changing tastes over time.

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