From left: Ambassador Peter Schneebauer, Hannes Richter, and Katja Sipple, Director of the German-American Heritage Museum and Foundation.
Embassy of Austria

"From Vienna to the White House: Yoichi Okamoto & the American Century" had a successful opening on September 26, 2024, at the German-American Heritage Museum. Attendees were treated to a captivating exploration of the life and work of Yoichi Okamoto, who served as President Lyndon B. Johnson’s official White House photographer from 1964 to 1968.

Before his pivotal role in Washington, Okamoto led the Pictorial Division of the U.S. Information Agency in Vienna from 1946 to 1954, where he created a rich visual record of Austria’s post-war reconstruction and daily life. The exhibition features a stunning collection of photographs that were previously displayed at the Austrian National Library in Vienna as well as at the Embassy of Austria in Washington D.C., having been acquired through the efforts of Okamoto’s son and the Embassy of Austria.

Ambassador Petra Schneebauer opened the exhibition with an inspiring address, highlighting Okamoto’s significant contributions to both American and Austrian history.

The exhibition is on view at the German-American Heritage Museum from Tuesday to Friday during the Business Opening Hours of the museum at 719 Sixth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.

All photos Embassy of Austria/ German-American Heritage Museum