• Tuning of the Steinway Piano
    Andrea Hanks
    music
    instruments
    State Floor
    Entrance Hall
    winter holidays
    In this photograph, taken by Andrea Hanks on November 21, 2018, an unidentified man tunes the Steinway piano in the Entrance Hall of the White House in anticipation of the holiday season. The grand piano was a gift to the White House from Steinway and Sons of Long Island City, New York in 1938. This piano replaced an earlier piano given to the White House by Steinway in 1903. Gilded scenes of American dance forms appear on the Honduran mahogany case, which is supported by three gilded, eagle-shaped legs in the Art Deco style
  • Center Hall, Kennedy Administration
    Robert L. Knudsen
    refurbishment
    painting
    music
    instruments
    furnishings
    Second Floor
    Center Hall
    This photograph, taken by Robert L. Knudsen on August 28, 1963, shows the southeast corner of the Center Hall on the Second Floor of the White House after its redecoration during the John F. Kennedy administration. On the wall hang a series of portraits of American Indians by American author and artist George Catlin borrowed by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy from the National Gallery of Art. Also visible is a baby grand piano previously owned by President Henry S. Truman, and half of a Chinese Coromandel screen first loaned and subsequently given to the White House by Mrs. Boyd Hatch in 1961. Like the nearby East and West Sitting Halls, this space was redecorated by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Interior designer Sister Parish envisioned the design concept for the space, while furniture was acquired under the guidance of Henry Francis du Pont and arranged by interior designer Stéphane Boudin. The Center Hall traverses the length of the Second Floor from the east to the west ends of the Executive Mansion, much like the Cross Hall and the Ground Floor Corridor on the two floors below it. The Center Hall serves as the lifeline of the first family’s residence, leading off into the Lincoln Bedroom, the Yellow Oval Room, and the Treaty Room, among others.
  • Julie Nixon Eisenhower Gives a White House Tour
    James P. Blair
    East Room
    State Floor
    initiatives
    tours
    music
    instruments
    In this photograph, taken by James P. Blair on July 18, 1969, Julie Nixon Eisenhower conducts a tour of the White House for sight impaired and partially blind children. Eisenhower, the daughter of President Richard M. Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon, is seen showing the children a Steinway piano in the East Room. The grand piano was gifted to President Franklin D. Roosevelt at a ceremony on December 10, 1938 on behalf of the Steinway family. The 300,000th Steinway piano, it was built to replace another Steinway which had been given to the White House in 1903. The tours were part of a series of accommodations and programs overseen by First Lady Pat Nixon to make the Executive Mansion as accessible to as many visitors as possible. This included the installation of outdoor lights, wheelchair ramps outside the East Wing and North Portico entrances, and tours like the garden tour of the White House Grounds and holiday Candlelight Tours.
  • Julie Nixon Eisenhower Gives a White House Tour
    James P. Blair
    East Room
    State Floor
    initiatives
    tours
    music
    instruments
    In this photograph, taken by James P. Blair on July 18, 1969, Julie Nixon Eisenhower conducts a tour of the White House for sight impaired and partially blind children. Eisenhower, the daughter of President Richard M. Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon, is seen showing the children a Steinway piano in the East Room. The grand piano was gifted to President Franklin D. Roosevelt at a ceremony on December 10, 1938 on behalf of the Steinway family. The 300,000th Steinway piano, it was built to replace another Steinway which had been given to the White House in 1903. The tours were part of a series of accommodations and programs overseen by First Lady Pat Nixon to make the Executive Mansion as accessible to as many visitors as possible. This included the installation of outdoor lights, wheelchair ramps outside the East Wing and North Portico entrances, and tours like the garden tour of the White House Grounds and holiday Candlelight Tours.
  • New Christy Minstrels Perform for Diplomats' Children
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    performing
    parties
    music
    instruments
    State Floor
    East Room
    arts & culture
    This photograph was taken by Joseph J. Scherschel on June 18, 1965, at a party for the children of members of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 250 young adults from 60 countries attended the party; the age of the guests ranged from 16 to 21. The party was hosted by Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. In this photograph, guests watch the American folk ensemble the New Christy Minstrels perform in the East Room. The White House Steinway piano is featured in the foreground. The 300,000th piano created by Steinway, the piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Steinway & Sons in 1938. The piano replaced an earlier Steinway, the 100,000th made by the company, which had been presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in January 1903.
  • New Christy Minstrels Perform for Diplomats' Children
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    performing
    parties
    music
    instruments
    State Floor
    East Room
    arts & culture
    This photograph was taken by Joseph J. Scherschel on June 18, 1965, at a party for the children of members of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 250 young adults from 60 countries attended the party; the age of the guests ranged from 16 to 21. The party was hosted by Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. In this photograph, guests watch the American folk ensemble the New Christy Minstrels perform in the East Room. The White House Steinway piano is featured in the foreground. The 300,000th piano created by Steinway, the piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Steinway & Sons in 1938. The piano replaced an earlier Steinway, the 100,000th made by the company, which had been presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in January 1903.
  • New Christy Minstrels Perform for Diplomats' Children
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    performing
    parties
    music
    instruments
    State Floor
    East Room
    arts & culture
    This photograph was taken by Joseph J. Scherschel on June 18, 1965, at a party for the children of members of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 250 young adults from 60 countries attended the party; the age of the guests ranged from 16 to 21. The party was hosted by Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. In this photograph, guests watch the American folk ensemble the New Christy Minstrels perform in the East Room. The White House Steinway piano is featured in the foreground. The 300,000th piano created by Steinway, the piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Steinway & Sons in 1938. The piano replaced an earlier Steinway, the 100,000th made by the company, which had been presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in January 1903.
  • New Christy Minstrels Perform for Diplomats' Children
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    parties
    State Floor
    East Room
    music
    instruments
    performing
    arts & culture
    This photograph was taken by Joseph J. Scherschel on June 18, 1965, at a party for the children of members of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 250 young adults from 60 countries attended the party; the age of the guests ranged from 16 to 21. The party was hosted by Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. In this photograph, guests watch the American folk ensemble the New Christy Minstrels perform in the East Room. A pianist plays on the White House Steinway piano in the foreground. The 300,000th piano created by Steinway, the piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Steinway & Sons in 1938. The piano replaced an earlier Steinway, the 100,000th made by the company, which had been presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in January 1903.
  • Dance Party for Diplomats' Children
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    parties
    music
    military
    instruments
    U.S. Marine Band
    State Floor
    East Room
    performing
    This photograph was taken by Joseph J. Scherschel on June 18, 1965, at a party for the children of members of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 250 young adults from 60 countries attended the party; the age of the guests ranged from 16 to 21. The party was hosted by Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. In this photograph, guests dance as a member of the United States Marine Band performs on the White House Steinway piano. The 300,000th piano created by Steinway, the piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Steinway & Sons in 1938. The piano replaced an earlier Steinway, the 100,000th made by the company, which had been presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in January 1903.
  • New Christy Minstrels Perform for Diplomats' Children
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    performing
    parties
    music
    instruments
    State Floor
    East Room
    arts & culture
    This photograph was taken by Joseph J. Scherschel on June 18, 1965, at a party for the children of members of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 250 young adults from 60 countries attended the party; the age of the guests ranged from 16 to 21. The party was hosted by Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. In this photograph, guests watch the American folk ensemble the New Christy Minstrels perform in the East Room. The White House Steinway piano is featured in the foreground. The 300,000th piano created by Steinway, the piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Steinway & Sons in 1938. The piano replaced an earlier Steinway, the 100,000th made by the company, which had been presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in January 1903.
  • New Christy Minstrels Perform for Diplomats' Children
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    performing
    parties
    music
    instruments
    State Floor
    East Room
    arts & culture
    This photograph was taken by Joseph J. Scherschel on June 18, 1965, at a party for the children of members of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 250 young adults from 60 countries attended the party; the age of the guests ranged from 16 to 21. The party was hosted by Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. In this photograph, guests watch the American folk ensemble the New Christy Minstrels perform in the East Room. The White House Steinway piano is featured in the foreground. The 300,000th piano created by Steinway, the piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Steinway & Sons in 1938. The piano replaced an earlier Steinway, the 100,000th made by the company, which had been presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in January 1903.
  • New Christy Minstrels Perform for Diplomats' Children
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    performing
    parties
    music
    instruments
    State Floor
    East Room
    arts & culture
    This photograph was taken by Joseph J. Scherschel on June 18, 1965, at a party for the children of members of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 250 young adults from 60 countries attended the party; the age of the guests ranged from 16 to 21. The party was hosted by Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. In this photograph, guests watch the American folk ensemble the New Christy Minstrels perform in the East Room. The White House Steinway piano is featured in the foreground. The 300,000th piano created by Steinway, the piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Steinway & Sons in 1938. The piano replaced an earlier Steinway, the 100,000th made by the company, which had been presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in January 1903.
  • New Christy Minstrels Perform for Diplomats' Children
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    performing
    parties
    music
    instruments
    State Floor
    East Room
    arts & culture
    This photograph was taken by Joseph J. Scherschel on June 18, 1965, at a party for the children of members of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 250 young adults from 60 countries attended the party; the age of the guests ranged from 16 to 21. The party was hosted by Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. In this photograph, guests watch the American folk ensemble the New Christy Minstrels perform in the East Room. The White House Steinway piano is featured in the foreground. The 300,000th piano created by Steinway, the piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Steinway & Sons in 1938. The piano replaced an earlier Steinway, the 100,000th made by the company, which had been presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in January 1903.
  • New Christy Minstrels Perform for Diplomats' Children
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    performing
    parties
    music
    instruments
    State Floor
    East Room
    arts & culture
    This photograph was taken by Joseph J. Scherschel on June 18, 1965, at a party for the children of members of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 250 young adults from 60 countries attended the party; the age of the guests ranged from 16 to 21. The party was hosted by Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. In this photograph, guests watch the American folk ensemble the New Christy Minstrels perform in the East Room. The White House Steinway piano is featured in the foreground. The 300,000th piano created by Steinway, the piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Steinway & Sons in 1938. The piano replaced an earlier Steinway, the 100,000th made by the company, which had been presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in January 1903.
  • New Christy Minstrels Perform for Diplomats' Children
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    performing
    parties
    music
    instruments
    State Floor
    East Room
    arts & culture
    This photograph was taken by Joseph J. Scherschel on June 18, 1965, at a party for the children of members of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 250 young adults from 60 countries attended the party; the age of the guests ranged from 16 to 21. The party was hosted by Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. In this photograph, guests watch the American folk ensemble the New Christy Minstrels perform in the East Room. The White House Steinway piano is featured in the foreground. The 300,000th piano created by Steinway, the piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Steinway & Sons in 1938. The piano replaced an earlier Steinway, the 100,000th made by the company, which had been presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in January 1903.
  • Dance Party for Diplomats' Children
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    parties
    music
    instruments
    U.S. Marine Band
    State Floor
    East Room
    performing
    This photograph was taken by Joseph J. Scherschel on June 18, 1965, at a party for the children of members of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 250 young adults from 60 countries attended the party; the age of the guests ranged from 16 to 21. The party was hosted by Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. In this photograph, guests dance as a member of the United States Marine Band performs on the White House Steinway piano. The 300,000th piano created by Steinway, the piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Steinway & Sons in 1938. The piano replaced an earlier Steinway, the 100,000th made by the company, which had been presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in January 1903.
  • Gemini 4 Astronauts and Families Visit White House
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    tours
    astronauts
    White House Guests
    State Floor
    East Room
    music
    instruments
    This photograph was taken by Joseph J. Scherschel on June 17, 1965. It shows two men examining the Steinway piano in the East Room during a visit to the White House by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Distinguished Service Medals recipients and their families. Astronauts Lt. Col. James McDivitt and Lt. Col. Edward White, and Charles W. Mathews, manager of the Gemini Program Office Manned Spacecraft Center were invited to the White House following the successful Gemini 4 mission to space. The Gemini 4 mission spanned four days and 62 Earth orbits, and included the first American spacewalk. President Lyndon B. Johnson presented McDivitt, White, and Mathews with NASA Distinguished Service Medals during a ceremony in the Rose Garden, and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson led the recipients and their families on a private tour of the White House. The families spent the night at the White House, and the following day the astronauts departed with Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey aboard SAM 26000 for the Paris Air Show at President Johnson's invitation.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1965
    James P. Blair
    winter holidays
    parties
    military
    State Floor
    Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
    East Room
    Christmas
    instruments
    music
    This photograph was taken during a Christmas party held for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965. Here, an army musician from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps shares a bugle with a young guest in the East Room.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1965
    James P. Blair
    winter holidays
    parties
    military
    State Floor
    Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
    East Room
    Christmas
    instruments
    music
    This photograph was taken during a Christmas party held for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965. Here, an army musician from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps shares a bugle with a young guest in the East Room.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1965
    James P. Blair
    winter holidays
    parties
    military
    State Floor
    Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
    East Room
    Christmas
    instruments
    music
    This photograph was taken during a Christmas party held for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965. Here, an army musician from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps shares a bugle with a young guest in the East Room.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1965
    James P. Blair
    winter holidays
    parties
    military
    State Floor
    Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
    East Room
    Christmas
    instruments
    music
    This photograph was taken during a Christmas party held for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965. Here, an army musician from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps shares a bugle with a young guest in the East Room.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1965
    James P. Blair
    winter holidays
    parties
    military
    State Floor
    Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
    East Room
    Christmas
    music
    instruments
    This photograph was taken during a Christmas party held for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965. Here, an army musician from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps shares a fife with a young guest in the East Room. Gilbert Stuart's official portrait of President George Washington is visible on the wall in the background.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1965
    James P. Blair
    winter holidays
    parties
    military
    State Floor
    Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
    East Room
    Christmas
    instruments
    music
    This photograph was taken during a Christmas party held for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965. Here, an army musician from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps shares a drum with a young guest in the East Room.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1965
    James P. Blair
    winter holidays
    parties
    military
    State Floor
    Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
    East Room
    Christmas
    music
    instruments
    This photograph was taken during a Christmas party held for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965. Here, an army musician from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps shares a drum with a young guest in the East Room.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1965
    James P. Blair
    winter holidays
    parties
    military
    State Floor
    Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
    East Room
    Christmas
    instruments
    music
    This photograph was taken during a Christmas party held for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965. Here, an army musician from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps shares a drum with a young guest in the East Room.