President Dwight D. Eisenhower held the first televised presidential press conference in the room in January 1955 . It was subsequently used for presidential press conferences from 1955 until 1961 . On September 12 , 2001 , the room was used to host the American Red Cross for an emergency blood drive so the White House staff could donate blood in response to the September 11 attacks . In 2001-2002 , the room was used for the White House 's Coalition Information Center , which coordinated media relations and relief efforts during Operation Enduring Freedom
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Indian Treaty Room