The historic White House movie theater is gone. Here’s a design peek into its past

The White House theater, created in 1942 by Franklin Roosevelt, served as a personal retreat for presidents. Initially a cloakroom, it was transformed into a small screening room seating 40 guests. Harry Truman renovated the theater, introducing a rococo-esque gold and blue color scheme. Eisenhower famously watched Westerns, and Kennedy viewed "From Russia With Love" there. Bill Clinton's 90s renovation featured an orange, tan, and red color scheme, considered by some as unattractive. Laura Bush redesigned the theater in the early 2000s, paying homage to historic theaters with a red and gold art-deco style. The theater's designs reflected each president's taste and broader trends in theater aesthetics. Photographer Matt Lambros highlighted the theater's significance as a historical artifact. He notes it offered insight into the lives of presidents and their families. The Trump administration demolished the theater, leading to the permanent loss of this historical landmark. Lambros believes this erased a connection point between the president and the American people.