Featured Head of State Gifts

The Johnson Library is the official depository for the more than two thousand head of state gifts presented to President and Mrs. Johnson, including ceremonial swords from Morocco and Saudi Arabia, Chinese tomb sculptures from the T’ang Dynasty, an alabaster funerary vase from Egypt, and many other finely crafted objects from all around the world. Such gifts are symbols of diplomacy and friendship between the people of two countries. The exchange of gifts is usually part of the ceremonies conducted during official visits from heads of state and are accepted by the president and first lady, not for themselves but on behalf of all American citizens. Unlike domestic gifts, the federal government retains ownership of all head of state gifts.