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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 Chair 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 Chair Used by Franklin Roosevelt

Artifact IDMO 1947.84.4
Object Type Chair
Designer (American, 1882 - 1956)
Maker (American, 1919 - 1953)
Date1930
Mediumwood, cut and voided velvet
Dimensionsoverall H 39 in x W 29 in x D 28 in (99.1 cm x 73.7 cm x 71.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn upholstered revolving desk chair. The chair seat and back are covered in a green and cream fabric made of a velvet or velour material of Asian design. The arms are of ornately carved wood and partially padded and covered in the same fabric. The base is made of a four-legged, carved wooden swivel piece with a spring to allow the chair to lean front and back. The chair was designed by Stuart Clingman and produced by the R. W. Irwin Furniture Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Historical NoteFranklin Roosevelt used this desk chair in the White House Oval Office throughout the 12 years he served as President of the United States.

The chair was used previously by President Herbert Hoover. When President Roosevelt took office he kept his predecessor's office furnishings. A thicker seat cushion was installed in the chair in either 1934 of 1935.

The chair 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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