This 1909 Model M steam car, made by the White Company of Cleveland, Ohio, was the first automobile purchased for the official use of the president of the United States. Acquired at the behest of President William Howard Taft, a motoring enthusiast, the car was his personal favorite during the two years it was part of the White House fleet. He used it extensively for recreational touring with his family, his cabinet secretaries, and members of Congress, and the car was often the site of informal conferences about government business. Purchased at a time when motor vehicles were becoming more common throughout America, Taft’s enthusiastic use of this car and many others during his term made the automobile the vehicle of choice in official Washington and encouraged wider acceptance of the motorcar throughout America.

NHVR No. 9 HAER No. MA-175