The Resolute Desk: A Presidential Fixture
The Oval Office, the iconic workspace of the President of the United States, is adorned with a centerpiece that has witnessed countless historic moments: the Resolute Desk. This double pedestal partners desk, crafted from the oak timbers of the British warship HMS Resolute, has been a staple in the office since President John F. Kennedy made it an iconic backdrop in the 1960s.
A Diplomatic Gift
The Resolute Desk’s journey to the White House began in 1852, when the HMS Resolute embarked on an Arctic expedition. The ship became trapped in ice, and its crew abandoned it. In 1855, an American whaler discovered the abandoned vessel and towed it back to the United States.
To express gratitude for this act of kindness, Congress funded the refitting of the Resolute and its return to England as a gift to Queen Victoria. Moved by this gesture, Queen Victoria commissioned a new desk made from the timbers of the Resolute as a token of Anglo-American friendship.
A Presidential Tradition
In 1880, Queen Victoria presented the Resolute Desk to President Rutherford B. Hayes. Since then, every president except George H.W. Bush has used the desk in the Oval Office, making it a symbol of presidential continuity and tradition.
Temporary Departure
Recently, President Donald Trump temporarily removed the Resolute Desk from the Oval Office for refinishing. This is a standard procedure that ensures the desk’s preservation for future generations. In its place, Trump installed the C&O Desk, which was used by Bush.
The C&O Desk
The C&O Desk, made of walnut and featuring golden handles, was originally intended for the owner of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. However, it was later donated to the White House. Bush was the only president to use the C&O Desk for an extended period, as he preferred its more modern style.
Other Notable Presidential Desks
Theodore Roosevelt Desk
Crafted in 1903, the Theodore Roosevelt Desk resided in the West Wing until 1929. Former President Harry S. Truman later retrieved it from storage and used it in the Oval Office. Several other presidents, including Eisenhower, Wilson, and Taft, signed legislation on this desk.
Johnson Desk
Upon taking office in 1963, Johnson commissioned a new desk for the Oval Office. Crafted by Senate carpenters, the Johnson Desk was used exclusively by him. It is now housed at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Hoover Desk
During President Herbert Hoover’s presidency in 1929, a fire damaged the West Wing, including the Oval Office. Hoover’s desk survived the blaze, but a new one was installed as part of the reconstruction. The mahogany-veneered Hoover Desk, a gift from furniture manufacturers in Michigan, was subsequently used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to sign the New Deal and other historic legislation.
Wilson Desk
The Wilson Desk, with its sleek mahogany finish, was not named after President Woodrow Wilson. It was likely named after Vice President Henry Wilson, who served during the Grant administration. Nixon and Ford both used this desk, and it is now displayed in the Vice President’s Room in the U.S. Capitol.
