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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Oval Office Desk Used by Franklin Roosevelt
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Oval Office Desk Used by Franklin Roosevelt

Artifact IDMO 1947.84.1
Object Type Desk
Designer (American, 1882 - 1956)
Maker (American, 1919 - 1953)
Date1930
Mediumwood, metal, brass
Dimensionsoverall H 30 3/4 in x W 82 1/2 in x D 45 1/2 in (78.1 cm x 209.6 cm x 115.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionA large Art Deco style executive desk made of American wood, with all the exterior parts being of Michigan maple veneer. The base of the desk consists of two cabinets, one on either side, each with three drawers plus one flat top extender drawer. Connecting the two cabinets is the center piece that has one drawer with a lock numbered 76P25 [the desk appears to have come without a key]. There are brass pulls on the drawers and brass knobs on the flat extenders.
Historical NoteFranklin Roosevelt used this desk in the White House Oval Office throughout the 12 years he served as President of the United States. At this historic desk he signed the act creating the Tennessee Valley Authority, the declarations of war with Japan and Germany, the GI Bill, and other landmark laws. At it he also met with national and world leaders and presided over hundreds of press conferences.

The desk was used previously by President Herbert Hoover. It was presented to Hoover by the Grand Rapids Furniture Manufacturer's Association in 1930. When President Roosevelt took office he kept his predecessor's office furnishings.

The objects on the desk are arranged largely as they were at the time of his death. Nearly all are original items that belonged to FDR. Several are reproductions of items that are not in the Museum collection.

The desk is on display in the FDR’S OVAL OFFICE DESK exhibit in the Museum’s APRIL 12, 1945 gallery.

Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Eleanor Roosevelt via the White House in April 1945. Donated to the FDR Library by Eleanor Roosevelt on February 10, 1947.
Credit LinePresented by President Harry S. Truman to Eleanor Roosevelt; Gift of Eleanor Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view
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