Helen Herron Taft, White House Collection

This oil on canvas portrait of First Lady Helen Herron Taft was done by Bror Kronstand. Mrs. Taft grew up well-educated in an actively political family and had a career as a teacher before her marriage to then-attorney William Howard Taft. As First Lady, she instituted the longstanding traditions of musical entertainment after State Dinners and Marine Band performances in Potomac Park. Mrs. Taft is also responsible for the planting of the 3,020 Japanese cherry trees along the Tidal Basin and grounds of the U.S. Capitol. William Howard Taft was president from March 4, 1909 until March 4, 1913.