Rights & Reproductions

Thank you for your interest in the White House Historical Association's image collection. Before proceeding with your order, please review these license terms and fee schedule (collectively, the “License Terms”) Reproduction and/or use of any images from The White House Historical Association website are subject to these License Terms.

I. Description of Collections

White House Collection:

The White House is the official residence of the President of the United States and a living historic house containing a collection of museum-quality objects. This collection of fine and decorative arts encompasses both historic objects associated with the White House and the presidency, and significant works by a variety of American and European artists and craftsmen generally consonant with the historic character of the house. The Curator of the White House manages the care and preservation for the collections.

The White House Historical Association acts as steward to the White House Collection. The Association maintains images of two-and three-dimensional works of art, images of the house and grounds and images of decorative objects and furnishing within the house. Many of these images have been featured in the White House Historical Association publications.

Rights information: the White House Historical Association licenses the images of paintings of the White House Art Collection pursuant to the License Terms, below. We reserve the right to provide or restrict access to these images.

The White House Historical Association owns the copyrights to certain of the images of objects, furniture and three-dimensional artwork in the White House Collection. We reserve the right to provide or restrict access to these images.

White House Historical Association Publication Images:

The White House Historical Association has obtained a collection of images, together with the copyrights to such images, originally published in The Living White House and The White House Guidebook by the National Geographic Society and the White House Historical Association. Photographs were taken specifically for these publications by the National Geographic Society, from the Kennedy Administration to the George H.W. Bush Administration. Images include interiors and exteriors of the White House and White House events. This collection also includes unpublished images.

The White House Historical Association has commissioned photography for its own publications, including: Official White House China, The White House: It's Historic Furnishings and First Families, The White House: The History of an American Idea, The White House Garden and White House Glassware, The Living White House, The White House Guidebook.

Rights information: the White House Historical Association owns copyrights to these images. We reserve the right to control the reproduction and use of these images, subject to the License Terms, below.

National Trust / Decatur House Image Collection:

The Decatur House, a National Trust Historic Site, and the home of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History, holds a collection of images related to the site. The collection includes images of the interiors and exteriors of the Decatur House, artifacts and artwork within the object collection, past programs that took place at the site, and former residents and their families.

Rights information: The National Trust for Historic Preservation maintains the right to control the reproduction and use of these images. The images may be licensed through the White House Historical Association. In addition to agreeing to the License Terms below, this images collection also requires that:

The Applicant agrees to use the following credit line format for use of images in any product: Photograph by [photographer's name] and The White House Historical Association at Decatur House, a National Trust Historic Site.
National Trust Historic Site images are obtained from many sources and are intended primarily for research and educational purposes. Certain works may be protected by copyright, trademark, or related interests not owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Permission will be granted only to the extent of the National Trust's ownership of the rights relating to the Applicant's particular request. The responsibility for ascertaining whether any such rights exist, and for obtaining all necessary permissions, remains with the Applicant. Applicant will hold the National Trust harmless against any and all claims, demands, costs, and expenses incurred by copyright infringements arising from use of any images provided under this request.
Applicant will provide two (2) complimentary copies of any resulting product to the National Trust Historic Site at the address listed below. The National Trust Historic Site staff are requested to then provide one (1) copy to the Director of Museum Collections, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1785 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036, 202-588-6154 (tel) or 202-588-6232 (fax).

Public Domain Images:

The White House Historical Association has selected images pertaining to White House history from the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration and Presidential Libraries.

Rights information: These images are in the public domain.

II. Description of Uses

The White House Historical Association has two categories of usage of our images: Personal Use and Commercial Use. In the event that a potential licensee is uncertain whether a proposed use would be a Personal Use a Commercial Use, the final determination of same shall be made by The White House Historical Association.

Personal Use:

Personal Use is a use of an image for a non-profit, private or educational purpose which usage is not intended to reach a large audience. Personal Use includes, but is not limited to:

Illustration for school projects or papers, including theses or dissertations
Electronic slideshows using presentation software such as PowerPoint
Illustration on personal desktop
Display in home or private office
In the classroom

The White House Historical Association allows the use of low-resolution versions of its images without use fees for Personal Uses that do not entail publication or other Commercial Use. The user will be required to agree to the Terms of Use even for Personal Use licenses, but will not be charged a fee.

Commercial Use:

For the sake of clarity, Commercial Uses are categorized either as “Publication Use” or “Other Commercial Use.”

Publication:

Express permission from the White House Historical Association is required for use of all images that will be published or printed. Fees for commercial and non-profit print uses are listed below. Each request is reviewed and permission is granted or denied on a case-by-case basis by the Rights and Reproductions Manager. If permission is granted, the user will be required to agree to the Terms of Use.

We allow the following publication uses:

Exhibits
Educational website (low-resolution images only)
Online exhibits (low-resolution images only)
Educational publications (for sale, or not for sale)
Educational broadcasts

We do not allow the following publication uses:

Redistribution of image as prints, posters, slides, or other commercial products
Internet distribution
Electronic compilations
Use of high-resolution images on websites

Other Commercial Use:

Non-Publication Uses would include, but not be limited to, exhibitions, commercial websites and web applications, and film or television productions. Any Commercial Use involving the creation of product featuring White House Historical Association images is prohibited. Any other non-Personal Uses that are not Publication Uses will also be considered to fall into this category, and usage fees will be assessed accordingly. Other proposed Commercial Uses not outlined in this section will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Use of images in commercial productions such as motion pictures, documentaries and television shows

Images requested for research purposes to lend a film historical authenticity, i.e. research for set design and dressing, where the images will never appear in the film or in the promotional materials for the film, will be considered a Personal Use and Commercial Usage fees will not be charged. Image fees will still be assessed on these requests, however, and crediting rules will still apply to the acquisition and licensing of these images.

III. License Conditions

All images, whether for Personal Use or Commercial Use, must be properly credited, no exceptions. Some cropping or detail shots are allowed, but only with approval. The term “detail” must be included in the credit line to indicate the alteration. Such changes are subject to our final approval and we reserve the right to deny any request.

By downloading image files from the White House Historical Association site, purchasing prints, or receiving images files from the White House Historical Association through any other means, you are bound to: 1) these Terms of Use; and 2) the written permission notice you will receive, including all restrictions, limitations and conditions set forth in such notice.

Conditions for Personal Use:

Images may be used for Personal Use only.

Image may not be published in any way, including website or electronic use, without the express permission of the White House Historical Association.

Image may not be used in an electronic compilation or distributed in any way.

Licensees may not alter or remove any form of copyright notice or other proprietary rights notice that appears in any image, it being understood that such notices must be reproduced in all cases with such images.

The image is not to be cropped, superimposed with text, or altered in any way from its original form unless prior permission for alteration is received from the White House Historical Association. Alterations may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. If the White House Historical Association does allow cropping of image after review, the image must be credited as a "detail."

Conditions for Commercial Use:

Images may be used only after express permission from the White House Historical Association has been granted for each specific use.

No image license is valid until receipt of payment.

Permission is given for one-time, non-exclusive, non-transferable use only. "One-time use" means that once a digital image has been published, distributed or exhibited, you many not subsequently reformat, redesign, or otherwise alter the way the images is displayed, nor may you re-use the image in other products, nor allow others to use it. For each additional use after image is obtained, the White House Historical Association must be contacted for permission and any additional license fee may apply.

Images must be credited according to the credit line provide by the White House Historical Association. Credit line must appear alongside image, or in the relevant section devoted to image or illustration credits. Licensees may not alter or remove any form of copyright notice or other proprietary rights notice that appears in any image, it being understood that such notices must be reproduced in all cases with such images.

Conditions for Use and Crediting of Images in Commercial Projects such as Motion Pictures, Documentaries, Television Shows:

Any image that is of material use to a project, such as set dressing or design, must have the proper credit line clearly displayed either with the images or within the credits of the production. This rule applies even when the image does not directly appear within the production or promotional materials.

In order for the images to be licensed for commercial film or video projects, all parties may be required to sign a licensing agreement which states each party's rights and responsibilities. Once payment is received and the licensing agreement has been signed by all authorized parties, then the White House Historical Association will grant permission for images to be used in the production.

IV. Ordering Instructions

The White House Historical Association requires that any requests for high-resolution images be approved by the Association. Requests can be submitted through the Digital Library, via e-mail (rights@whha.org) or U.S. mail at:

The White House Historical Association

P.O. Box 27624

Washington, D. C. 20038-7624

The White House Historical Association reserves the right to refuse any request it deems unreasonable in its sole discretion.

Any request for images must be accompanied by the following information:

Image identification (ID number or title of image)
Description of how image will be used
Name
Address
Phone number
Email address

Small orders of 6 images or fewer will be processed within 3-5 business days of receiving payment. Orders between 7-15 images will be processed within 6-8 business days of receiving payment. Orders over 15 images may take up to two weeks. Turn-around time may be extended if the images need to be rescanned or require any additional processing by White House Historical Association staff before distribution.

Payment must be received before we process your order. Images will not be delivered until the White House Historical Association has received your payment and a signed copy of our license agreement. You can see a sample of our licensing agreement here. We accept most major credit cards through our secure online payment system. Instructions for using the online system will be provided after your order is approved. If you require an alternative method for submitting payment, please contact rights@whha.org.

The White House Historical Association provides digital files only. For print orders, please visit our “Request-A-Print” shop.

Files will be available for 30 days following approval of your request and payment. After 30 days your files will be removed from your download folder.

V. Miscellaneous

THE IMAGES LICENSED ON THIS SITE ARE LICENSED “AS IS” WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND AND YOU EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THE IMAGES IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN WRITING, THE WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR MERCHANTABILITY, REGARDING YOUR USE OF THE IMAGES. THE WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE, FOR THE SELECTION, USE, AND SUITABILITY OF THE IMAGES YOUR DOWNLOAD FROM THIS SITE AND NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF ANY IMAGES DOWNLOADED FROM THIS SITE INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO DATA OR LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO INFORMATION, PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, HOWEVER CAUSED, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, WARRANTY, OR OTHER LEGAL THEORY, EVEN IF THE WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN INFORMED IN ADVANCE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES AND/OR SUCH DAMAGES COULD HAVE BEEN REASONABLY FORESEEN BY THE WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY REMEDY SET FORTH HEREIN FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE, THE WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION’S TOTAL LIABILITY, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF: A) THE LICENSE FEE PAID TO DOWNLOAD AND USE THE IMAGE; OR B) $50.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES OR THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. ACCORDINGLY, SOME OF THE LIMITATIONS IN THE SECTION ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

You agree to indemnify, save, defend, reimburse and hold The White House Historical Association, its officers, directors, employees, and representatives harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, costs, liabilities, losses and damages of any kind (including attorneys’ fees), etc. resulting from: (i) your use of any images downloaded from this site and/; (ii) your breach of any provision of these License Terms; or (iii) your violation of any rights of another, whether by action or omission.

These License Terms shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal substantive laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.

VI. Fee Schedule

The White House Historical Association charges both an image production fee and a usage fee for images. Please note that usage fees are based on a one-time use and do not entitle the purchaser to repurpose images or reuse them for multiple projects.

Premium Image Collection- Artwork and photography that has been commissioned by the White House Historical Association may be designated as part of the Premium Collection. Commercial uses of images within the Premium Collection may involve an additional charge of $100-$500 per use fee.

Advertising uses may be permitted on a case-by-case basis after thorough review and approval. Only images in the Premium Collection, denoted by the gold star icon, may be purchased for advertising work. Advertising and endorsements are not permitted uses for any other image within the Digital Library or held by the Association. Please contact rights@whha.org for more information and to obtain a copy of the advertising fee schedule.

Rush fees: We reserve the right to charge a rush fee depending on the number of images requested and the turn-around time. Rush fees start at 20% of the order cost and may be increased depending on the circumstances.

Image Prices:

3000 pixels on the long side: $25

4000 pixels to 7000 pixels on the long side: $35

Above 7000 pixels on the long site: Contact for estimate

Rights and Reproductions Book Usage Fees — Show Me More

Rights and Reproductions Use Fee Chart — Show Me More

Bulk Order Discount

25 and over: 5%

50 and over: 10%

75 and over: 15%

100 and over: 20%

200: 25%

Over 200: Contact us for an estimate