Michelle Obama’s warmth at the White House lives on at the Obama Presidential Center
From welcoming young people to the People’s House to creating the White House Kitchen Garden, see how Mrs. Obama’s hospitality at the White House will transfer to the Obama Presidential Center.
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This holiday season, we’re reflecting on Mrs. Obama’s impact as First Lady at this time of year, and how her spirit of hospitality will be planted—quite literally—into the Obama Presidential Center. Her White House Kitchen Garden, a symbol of her commitment to expanding access to food and her commitment to health, will find a new home on the Center’s Chicago campus with the creation of the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit & Vegetable Garden.
Here are some of the ways Mrs. Obama made the White House feel more like home—at Christmas and always.
1. Turning 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue into a Home
Mrs. Obama made the White House home, especially during the holiday season. (Opens in a new tab) Throughout President Obama’s tenure, she welcomed the public into the White House and transformed it into a warm and festive space. She invited volunteers from across the country and involved children and military families in the creation of the holiday theme, crafts, and decorating projects that honored service, family, and the American spirit.
2. Cultivating a White House Kitchen Garden
Mrs. Obama broke ground on the White House Kitchen Garden in 2009 (Opens in a new tab), growing more than 55 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs on the South Lawn. The garden provided food for the First Family and guests, with surplus donated to Washington, D.C.-area charities. By welcoming schoolchildren, chefs, and community members into the garden, Mrs. Obama helped inspire healthier eating, hands-on learning, and a shared sense of community.
3. Hospitality on the plate
Produce from her garden didn’t stay behind the scenes; it appeared at state dinners, family meals, and even impromptu lunches. Mrs. Obama used food as a way to bring people together, create connection, and make everyone feel welcome.
4. Opening doors to young people
One of her most memorable traditions was hosting the annual “Kids’ State Dinner,” inspired by the White House State Dinners, and allowed winners of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge to be invited to the White House to share their nutritious recipes with young people from all 50 states, three territories, and Washington, DC. Speaking directly to children about healthy eating, she created an experience where the décor was thoughtful, the food intentional, and every young guest felt seen.
5. Moments of spontaneous warmth
Mrs. Obama would also often surprise public tour groups visiting the White House and greet visitors. These small gestures made the White House feel more personal and, more importantly, supported her belief that everyone, from every background and every place, deserved to feel welcomed in the People’s House.
6. Planting a legacy
Toward the end of her time in the White House, Mrs. Obama expanded the White House Kitchen Garden (Opens in a new tab) with benches, an arbor, and wider walkways, transforming it from a private plot into a true communal space. It became a place for conversation, learning, and shared engagement with the natural world.
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