More new Presidential artifacts are now calling the Hall of Presidents home at Magic Kingdom. We’ve covered a couple of waves of new artifacts since last summer, and the latest round includes additions from Gerald R. Ford and the Trumans. Here’s a comprehensive look at what you can find in the Hall of Presidents lobby at Magic Kingdom right now.
New Presidential Artifacts Debut at Hall of Presidents (May 2026)
In This Article
- New Hall of Presidents artifacts debuted at Magic Kingdom in May 2026, continuing a wave of additions that began when the attraction reopened in June 2025.
- The latest Hall of Presidents artifacts include a 1977 autographed football gifted to Gerald R. Ford and a World War I mess kit belonging to Harry S. Truman.
- Two new First Ladies exhibits have been added to the Hall of Presidents lobby: one honoring Elizabeth “Bess” Truman, the longest-living First Lady in U.S. history, and one celebrating Lucy Webb Hayes, the first woman to officially bear the title of “First Lady.”
- Other Hall of Presidents artifacts currently on display include Richard Nixon’s honorary Key to Disneyland, Dwight Eisenhower’s “Winter Birches” painting, Barack Obama’s “Bo” golf headcover, and more.
- One artifact has been removed since the last update: the JFK photograph of White House pony Macaroni.
We’re going to take a look at all of the artifacts, but we’ll start with what’s new. New items include a football given to Gerald R. Ford and a World War I mess kit owned by Harry Truman. There are also some new items for First Ladies, so be sure to check those out toward the end of the article!
NEW Gerald R. Ford | Autographed Football (1977)
After graduating from the University of Michigan, star athlete Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. was faced with an impossible decision: whether to play football professionally for the Detroit Lions or the Green Bay Packers, or to follow his dreams of becoming a lawyer. Little did he know then, but his decision to attend Yale Law School would eventually carve a path to the Oval Office and land him the job of 38th President of the United States. A lifelong lover of sports, this autographed football is just one of many gifted to Ford over the course of his presidency and beyond.
NEW Harry S. Truman | World War I Mess Kit (1916-18)
Due to hit poor vision, a young Harry Truman was forced to memorize the military fitness eye chart so he could join the Missouri National Guard. He was on active duty from 1905 – 1911 and reenlisted a few years later so he could serve as a captain in WWI. Decades after the war, this mess kit was discovered in the basement of his sister’s house in Grandview, Missouri.
President Truman is the only U.S. President to serve in combat during the Great War and was a proud and supportive veteran throughout his life.
Martin Van Buren | Memorial Brooch (1810)
When Martin Van Buren was elected in 1836, he was a widower. However, the memory of his wife Hannah was never far from the eighth president, who kept this brooch throughout his time in office. The intricate piece features the late Mrs. Van Buren’s miniature portrait on the front and a sentimental detail on the back – a braided lock of her hair.
James K. Polk | “The New World” American History Card Game (1845)
While James K. Polk may have been the youngest president at the time of his election, his time in office was far from fun and games. During his four years at the White House, Polk took just 27 days off – the fewest vacation days ever taken by a U.S. president. In his rare leisure time, President Polk could often be found working hard to outsmart his friends and family in trivia games such as this one, which just so happens to feature Polk himself!
George Washington | Society of the Cincinnati Dinner Plate (1784-85)
In 1783, officers of the Continental Army founded the Society of the Cincinnati, one of America’s earliest fraternal and charitable associations. The Society took its name from the ancient Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, a Roman statesman who gained fame for his selfless devotion in times of crisis. Soon after their founding, the organization elected George Washington as their President General.
REMOVED John F. Kennedy | Photograph of Macaroni the White House Pony
While the White House has been home to many four-legged residents over the years, perhaps the most famous of all was a part-Shetland pony named Macaroni. Originally a gift from Lyndon B. Johnson to John F. Kennedy’s daughter Caroline, the presidential pony rose to become an international celebrity in his own right – winning over the hearts of the American public, visiting dignitaries, and even artists like Neil Diamond, who was inspired to write the hit song “Sweet Caroline” after seeing Macaroni and Caroline together on the cover of LIFE Magazine in 1962.
James Monroe | Scale and Weights (early 19th century)
Before he became the fifth president, James Monroe was a lawyer, diplomat, and farmer. Among his many public roles, he served as Governor of Virginia, Minister to France, and Secretary of State. These pocket scales would have been a convenient accessory during his travels in an era when everything from medicine to currency needed to be weighed accurately.
Lyndon B. Johnson | Letter to his granddaughter (1968, reproduction of original)
This letter, dated November 8, 1968, shows Lyndon Johnson’s unabashed affection for his granddaughter, with whom he kept up a lifelong correspondence. In fact, President Johnson received his first letter from Lucinda, written by her mother, just days after she was born.
Theodore Roosevelt | Teddy Bears and Book (1906)
In 1905, author Seymour Eaton wrote the first stories about Teddy B., the black bear, and Teddy G., the gray bear. In this book, the two bears encounter President Roosevelt on a hunting trip. With the success of the book series, Teddy Bears became a classic American toy.
George Washington | Shoe Buckles (1797)
In the late 18th century, buckles were the height of fashion, indicating one’s taste and social standing. These silver and stone shoe buckles were part of President George Washington’s jewelry collection.
Richard M. Nixon | Key to Disneyland (1955)
When former Vice President Richard Nixon first visited Disneyland, he was given this honorary key to the Happiest Place on Earth. However symbolic, the gift was put to good use. To this day, Mr. Nixon holds the record for the most visits to the park by any U.S. President.
Thomas Jefferson | Pocket Watch (1780)
Thomas Jefferson held many important positions before he became the third President of the United States, including five years in Paris as Minister to France. President Jefferson loved Parisian culture, immersing himself in French cuisine, art, architecture, and engineering. It was there that he most likely purchased this pocket watch created by master watchmaker, Daniel Vaucher.
NEW Benjamin Harrison | Razor (1889)
Like many American presidents of the 19th century, Benjamin Harrison sported a fashionably full beard. This personalized straight razor was given to the 23rd commander-in-chief as a gift from the Ambassador of Sweden. However, in Harrison’s time, diplomatic gifts were meant to be symbols of friendship, rather than practical tools – so the blade probably never grazed Harrison’s distinguished chin.
Jimmy Carter | Fly Fishing Gear (1978)
Jimmy Carter’s passion for fly fishing would continue long beyond his presidency. After leaving office, he began to publish articles about the pastime in Fly Fisherman, an outdoor magazine. His hobby knew no borders. Deeply appreciative of nature, President Carter waded into waters as far flung as Alaska, Argentina, Honduras, Mongolia, Russia, and Venezuela to fly fish with family and friends.
Woodrow Wilson | Golf club and letter to William G. McAdoo (Early 20th century)
President Woodrow Wilson was an avid golfer, holding the record to date for the most rounds of golf ever played by a president. A devoted linksman, he was known to debate policy as he played and even had the Secret Service paint his golf balls black so he could play in the snow. Wilson knew his golf skills were “sub-par”, however, declining an offer to play a round with the top golfers of the day prior to an upcoming election.
Dwight Eisenhower | “Winter Birches” painting (1968)
While President Dwight Eisenhower’s many military and civilian achievements are well known, he was also an accomplished painter. He began painting at the age of 58, partly due to the encouragement of friend and fellow artist Winston Churchill. President Eisenhower was so devoted to his hobby that he set up an art studio on the second floor of the White House, and went on to paint more than 250 works over the course of his life.
Barack Obama | “Bo” golf headcover (2014)
In 2009, an adorable black and white puppy named “New Hope” arrived on the steps of the White House – a promised gift from Barack Obama to his daughters Sasha and Malia if he won the presidency. Re-named “Bo” after First Lady Michelle Obama’s father, the Portuguese water dog would soon go down in history as one of the most beloved First Pets to ever step paw in office. Over the course of Obama’s presidency, Bo was the subject of many children’s books, campaigned with the president to get re-elected for a second term, and was even made into a golf head cover – a diplomatic gift from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to President Obama when he visited Tokyo for a summit in 2014.
NEW Franklin D. Roosevelt | Hanging Shelf (1925)
Around a decade before he became the 32nd president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt faced a difficult recovery from polio. During this challenging experience, he returned to one of his favorite childhood hobbies — woodworking — to help lift his spirits. This hanging shelf was one of many handcrafted creations Roosevelt made for family and friends. Created as a special gift for his book-loving mother, Sarah, the piece features her initials, SDR, lovingly engraved on the side.
In addition to the Presidential artifacts, guests can enjoy some artifacts from a few of our First Ladies as well. Since we last checked in, two new exhibits have been added to the First Ladies display case. Here’s a closer look!
NEW Elizabeth “Bess” Truman | 1885 – 1982
In 1890, a 5-year-old girl nicknamed Bess met a boy named Harry at church. Little did she know then, but Bess would go on to marry Harry, raise a family, and eventually become the 33rd First Lady of the United States.
Born and raised in Independence, Missouri, Elizabeth “Bess” Wallace was known as a bright student and an outstanding athlete. After graduation, she married her childhood friend, Harry Truman, and had one daughter named Margaret. When Harry was elected Vice President of the United States in 1944, the tight-knit Truman family moved from Missouri to Washington, D.C., where Bess reluctantly took on the role of “politician’s wife”. After the unexpected death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in April 1945, she became first lady.
No irony was lost that the reserved woman who spent the majority of her life in Independence was uncomfortable being in the spotlight. During her 9-year tenure at the White House, Bess had a reputation for being extraordinarity tightlipped, staying out of the public eye at all costs, and keeping family affairs private. After the presidency, Bess and Harry returned to their home in Independence, where they lived out a happy – and relatively private – retirement surrounded by family, friends, and grandchildren.
Bess lived to be 97 years old, making her the longest living First Lady in United States history.
NEW Lucy Webb Hayes | 1831 – 1889
A social advocate from a young age, Lucy Webb Hayes was the first to officially bear the title of “First Lady”. She was also one of the first women to graduate from Ohio Wesleyan University, where she met her husband, Rutherford B. Hayes.
Lucy’s trailblazing spirit served her well as both a partner to her husband and a public figure in her own right. Her compassion, sincerity, and abolitionist views strongly influence the future president, leading him to defend runaway slaves in court and serve the Union in the Civil War. When Rutherford took public office, Lucy saw an opportunity to support women, children, and veterans through charity work. She also hosted social functions and established traditions such as the annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawn. Her efforts did not go unnoticed. One the contrary, they elevated Lucy beyond the traditional role of a president’s wife, allowing her to become the first “First Lady of the United States”.
Post-presidency, the Hayes family returned to Ohio, where Lucy remained committed to social causes and was even awarded a medal by the Women’s Relief Corps for her efforts. In her twilight years, she enjoyed spending time with her children and pets.
For a look back at some other recent artifacts, check out our articles below!
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!