60 years of historical and cultural moments captured in photography coming to Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

David Hume Kennerly captures five American presidents in the Oval Office of the White House in 2008.

In celebration of America’s 250^th anniversary, Bank of America became a founding sponsor of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, which opened July 4^th in Medora, N.D. The gift also supports the library’s inaugural exhibitions, including a three-month photography exhibition featuring works by Pulitzer Prize winner David Hume Kennerly, opening Oct. 3.

The exhibition celebrates 60 years of Kennerly’s photography, which includes important historical and cultural moments from around the world. Kennerly was 19 years old when he got his first major assignment from The Oregon Journal to photograph Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1966, and was one of the youngest to win a Pulitzer Prize for his work during the Vietnam War at the age of 25.

His talent, vision and curiosity earned him invitations to capture significant moments in American and world history, some of which have become imprinted memories, from the 1960s to today. Examples include a ringside shot of Joe Frazier’s win over Muhammad Ali, images from the Vietnam War and U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s first meeting with President Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union. Kennerly has photographed every American president since Lyndon B. Johnson, and he was the official White House photographer for President Gerald Ford.

Catch a glimpse of Kennerly’s work

In addition to the exhibition at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, you can see these historical moments and more in Kennerly’s recent interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl and in a newly released book, In the Room — Sixty Years on the Front Lines of History.

As part of our long-standing relationship with Kennerly, Bank of America provided funding to support publishing the book as a complement to the exhibition. In addition to the visual stories told through his photographs, the book includes essays to explain how the photos originated and the broader story that surrounded each moment.

You can also see Kennerly’s work featured in Bank of America’s 2025 Annual Report 

Building on America’s history, investing in its future

For more than two centuries, Bank of America and its legacy institutions have helped support the growth of communities, industries and the American economy. As the nation celebrates its 250^th anniversary, Bank of America continues that commitment by helping clients, communities and industries invest in the infrastructure, innovation and economic growth that will power America’s future.

Learn more about how Bank of America is celebrating America’s 250^th anniversary.