White House in Color: Footage from the 1930s Has Resurfaced

In today’s age of advanced technology, it’s hard to imagine a time when color film was not available. Although historical footage of presidential figures and their lives exists, glimpses of some pieces of the past in color can be quite rare.

The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum recently unearthed what is believed to be the first color footage of the White House in existence. In the footage — filmed by first lady Lou Hoover — Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, can be seen with friends, family, and colleagues at the White House.

The rare footage also includes Hoover on a fishing expedition, the first family playing games on the White House lawn, and workers tending the grounds.

Lynn Smith, the archivist at the library and museum who made the discovery, said that uncovering the footage “was like opening a door and going back in a time machine,” according to the Washington Post.

Smith revealed that the footage — labeled “Kodacolor” — was originally thought to be black and white, but she later realized it could be enhanced with the help of a special projector after noticing markings on the film. The archivist acquired a $5,600 grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation to bring the color footage to life, according to the Washington Post.

The footage sheds a more personal light on Hoover, who is primarily associated with the Great Depression, which began shortly after he took office.

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