Teahouse and Barbeque

A picnic for White House staff taking place at the outdoor barbeque area on July 1, 1959.

EISE NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Eisenhower National Historic Site

Significance:

The Eisenhowers thoroughly enjoyed entertaining guests at this serene setting. Pictured here is a White House picnic on July 1, 1959.

Designation:

Original Structure

Throughout their lives Ike and Mamie Eisenhower loved to entertain guests. This outdoor barbeque area was built using bricks, flowers, and shrubs donated from the National Capital Flower Show in 1955. They gave the Eisenhowers an excellent outdoor locale for entertaining guests and grilling, one of Ike’s passions.  

Located adjacent to the barbeque area, the teahouse was constructed in 1956. Once finished, this area was put to good use. As daughter-in-law Barbara Eisenhower noted, it “was considered a big treat to have a steak cookout down there.”