Here we see what an early 20th century kitchen looked like, before there were all those electric gadgets and modern conveniences. And this is no ordinary kitchen, but the White House kitchen, where meals were (and are) prepared for large dinner parties for heads of state. On the right a gentleman sits and works at a desk, this is a government kitchen so of course there is plenty of paperwork to be done! On a cupboard behind him is a wall-clock, probably a Seth Thomas. The cupboard if full of pitchers and assorted other ceramics, but not the fine dinnerware. A large table with square legs occupies the center of the space, with a large breadboard on its marble surface, and a drawer in front slightly ajar. Behind that is a lower table with five round legs — a dinner table in most households, here it holds a large coffee grinder. To the left we see an enameled sink, and along the roof there are various water pipes exposed, and a large metal pot-hanger with many pots on it. There is an electric light fixture hanging from the ceiling too, the only electric device in sight.

The image was taken by photographer Barnett McFee Clinedinst (ca 1865-1953). His father, Barnett M Clinedinst had also been a photographer, born in Virginia about 1837, photographed in Virginia from before 1860 to after 1870, and in Baltimore MD from before 1880 to after 1890; he died before 1910. Barnett Clinedinst Jr, who took this photo, was born in Virginia about 1865 or 1866 according to the census records, thought the National Archives listing for him shows 1862. He was a photographer in Washington DC from before 1910, and later in Brooklyn New York until after 1920. In 1930, his son, Barnett M Clinedinst III (though he is listed as ‘Jr’) is listed as a photographer in Brooklyn New York.