COMMERCE-ERA ARTIFACTS include an 18 th century cabinet, hand-made in Italy and hand-painted in Holland , purchased by Lou Hoover in Philadelphia . Other items include Commerce booklets, Hoover 's briefcase, and a "doodle dress" created for Peggy Ann, the Hoovers ' eldest granddaughter, from fabric printed with facsimiles of "doodling" by Herbert Hoover.
WHITE HOUSE-ERA ARTIFACTS include the chair used by Hoover at his desk in the Oval Office as well as a reproduction side chair, doll furniture for visiting children, oil paintings and portraits, and a scrapbook describing "The President's Camp on the Rapidan."
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, West Branch IA

The entry of the United States into World War I and President Wilson brought Mr. Hoover back to the States to serve as U.S. Food Administrator. The Hoovers rented five different homes in Washington D.C. until Hoover was appointed Secretary of Commerce, when they purchased a grand residence at 2300 S Street.

On S Street they had 22 rooms and 11 servants to keep up with the family and visitors, early breakfast meetings, receptions, and nightly guests for dinner. They retained their S Street home in Washington until 1944, selling it for $87,250.00.

As President and First Lady, the Hoovers moved to the White House in 1929. To relieve the stress of Washington politics, they would retreat to " Camp Rapidan " in the scenic Shenandoah Valley . The rustic fishing camp was designed by Lou and included guest cabins, a central dining room, rock-edged walkways and stone bridges. The camp was donated to the federal government after Hoover 's presidency, becoming part of Shenandoah National Park .