This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Pat Nixon for children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. Approximately 400 children between the ages of four and eleven attended the party. The children were treated to a reception of cookies and punch, and a performance by students from the Washington School of Ballet of selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." Here, children mingle and enjoy balloons in the East Room. Visible in the background is a prominent display for an 18th-century crèche, or nativity scene, that was gifted to the White House in 1967.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel in December 1969 at a White House Christmas party during the administration of Richard M. Nixon. Here, first daughter Julie Nixon Eisenhower poses alongside a costumed "Santa Claus," likely a member of the White House staff, in the Entrance Hall. This photo may have been taken at a Christmas party for White House staff, which was held on December 21, 1969.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on November 17, 1978, during a party in the East Room to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Mickey Mouse. The event was hosted by Amy Carter, daughter of President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who invited local children with disabilities to the celebration. Here, Amy Carter dances with Mickey Mouse as musicians from the Disney World Combo perform.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on November 17, 1978, during a party in the East Room to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Mickey Mouse. The event was hosted by Amy Carter, daughter of President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who invited local children with disabilities to the celebration. Here, Amy Carter dances with Mickey Mouse as musicians from the Disney World Combo perform.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 18, 1965, guests of a White House Christmas party attempt to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus, framed in the door of the Blue Room. Luci Baines Johnson, youngest daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, hosted the party to brighten the holiday season for approximately 150 local children. The children gathered in the Blue Room to see the official White House Christmas Tree, which is traditionally placed at its center. In 1965, the tree was adorned with garlands made from nuts, popcorn, and cranberries, and 3000 ornaments including decorations made from gingerbread, straw stars, bunches of geraniums, and toy soldiers. During the party, the children also enjoyed sweet treats in the State Dining Room, watched a concert in the East Room by Estonian-Swedish pianist Käbi Larete, and were presented with toys including jack-in-the boxes and mechanical animals.

This photograph was taken by Ricardo Thomas on September 7, 1975, during the housewarming party for the vice president's residence at the United States Naval Observatory. Here, Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller invites President Gerald R. Ford, First Lady Betty Ford, and their daughter Susan Ford to tour the master bedroom of the vice president's residence. The bed features a distinctive wood and brass headboard and footboard designed by German surrealist artist Max Ernst. Though Rockefeller did not live at the house and only used it for entertaining, he donated the elaborate $35,000 bedframe to the master bedroom to support artistic innovation. The first vice president to live in the Naval Observatory was Walter F. Mondale, who moved into the house with his family in 1977.

This photograph was taken by Ricardo Thomas on September 7, 1975, during the housewarming party for the vice president's residence at the United States Naval Observatory. Here, Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller and Second Lady Happy Rockefeller invite President Gerald R. Ford, First Lady Betty Ford, and their daughter Susan Ford to tour the dining room of the vice president's residence. Located at Number One Observatory Circle in Northwest Washington, D.C., the house was originally built for the superintendent of the United State Naval Observatory in 1893, but became the residence of the chief of naval operations in 1923. In 1974, the house was selected by Congress to be refurbished for use as the residence of the Vice President of the United States. Although Vice President and Mrs. Rockefeller hosted housewarming parties after renovations of the house were complete in 1975, the Rockefellers did not live in the house and only used it for entertaining. The first vice president to live in the Naval Observatory was Walter F. Mondale, who moved into the house with his family in 1977.

This photograph by Cecil Stoughton shows President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy attending the White House staff Christmas reception. The reception took place on December 12, 1962, in the Entrance Hall of the White House. The official White House Christmas tree was in the Entrance Hall that year due to work being done in the Blue Room, where the tree traditionally resides. This would be their last Christmas celebration in the White House.

This photograph was taken during a Christmas party held for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965. Here, army musicians from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps entertain young guests in the State Dining Room. The party was attended by hundreds of children; many dressed in traditional clothing from their native countries. During the party, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps also performed in the East Room.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Pat Nixon for children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. Approximately 400 children between the ages of four and eleven attended the party. The children were treated to a reception of cookies and punch, and a performance by students from the Washington School of Ballet of selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker." Here, children enjoy the playful antics of a clown in the State Dining Room.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 16, 1975, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Betty Ford for the children of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 463 children from 84 countries were invited to the party, where they enjoyed entertainment by television puppetry personalities Kukla, Fran, and Ollie, clowns from the Social Security Clown Club from the Baltimore Social Security Administration, and an appearance by Santa Claus. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. Here, children are greeted by clowns from the Social Security Clown Club as they admire the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room. During the 1970s, the Social Security Clown Club also entertained children at the White House Easter Egg Roll.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, First Lady Pat Nixon sits with an audience of approximately 400 children during a Christmas party she hosted for children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. During the party, Mrs. Nixon and the children were treated to selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet, performed by 40 students from the Washington School of Ballet.

This photograph was taken during a Christmas party held for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965. Here, army musicians from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps perform in the East Room.

This photograph from a Christmas party for the children of diplomats was taken in the East Room on December 29, 1965 during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration. Here, children enjoy music by a pianist and bassist from the United States Marine Band. The pianist 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.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 14, 1977, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Rosalynn Carter for the children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. Over 400 children attended the party, where they enjoyed a performance of "The Littlest Clown" by the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, a family theater company founded by Judith Ann Abrams in 1965. During the production, first daughter Amy Carter was invited onto the East Room stage and dressed as a clown. In this photograph, Mrs. Carter congratulates the group onstage, including Amy Carter (seated in her clown costume) and distinguished actress Helen Hayes. Hayes, a board member of the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, narrated the production.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 14, 1977, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Rosalynn Carter for the children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. Over 400 children attended the party, where they enjoyed a performance of "The Littlest Clown" by the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, a family theater company founded by Judith Ann Abrams in 1965. Here, First Lady Rosalynn Carter and her daughter, Amy, enjoy the performance with an audience of children. White House press corps journalist Helen Thomas and Mary Prince, Amy Carter's nanny, stand behind the audience.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 16, 1975, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Betty Ford for the children of the Diplomatic Corps. Approximately 463 children from 84 countries were invited to the party, where they enjoyed entertainment by television puppetry personalities Kukla, Fran, and Ollie, clowns from the Social Security Clown Club from the Baltimore Social Security Administration, and an appearance by Santa Claus. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. Here, children are greeted by clowns from the Social Security Clown Club as they admire the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room. During the 1970s, the Social Security Clown Club also entertained children at the White House Easter Egg Roll.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, First Lady Pat Nixon sits with an audience of approximately 400 children during a Christmas party she hosted for children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. During the party, Mrs. Nixon and the children were treated to selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet, performed by 40 students from the Washington School of Ballet.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, First Lady Pat Nixon sits with an audience of approximately 400 children during a Christmas party she hosted for children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party was coordinated by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization established in 1961 to support newly appointed diplomats and their families transition to life in Washington, D.C. During the party, Mrs. Nixon and the children were treated to selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet, performed by 40 students from the Washington School of Ballet.

This photograph was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel on December 23, 1969, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Pat Nixon for the children of the Diplomatic Corps. During the party, students from the Washington School of Ballet performed selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" in the East Room. Here, members of the company perform the opening sequence with the United States Marine Band providing musical accompaniment.

This press release was prepared by the Office of the Staff Director to First Lady Pat Nixon for a Christmas party she hosted for children of diplomats on the afternoon of December 23, 1969. During the party, members of the Washington School of Ballet performed selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet. This is the second page of the press release. For the complete press release, see 1130282.

This press release was prepared by the Office of the Staff Director to First Lady Pat Nixon for a Christmas party she hosted for children of diplomats on the afternoon of December 23, 1969. During the party, members of the Washington School of Ballet performed selections from Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet. This press release lists the members of the company scheduled to perform. This is the first page of the press release. For the complete press release, see 1130282.

This document provides background information on THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, a volunteer organization that coordinated annual White House Christmas parties for children of the Diplomatic Corps. It was included with a schedule prepared for First Lady Betty Ford in anticipation of a Christmas party for the children of diplomats held on the afternoon of December 16, 1975. The party featured entertainment by television puppetry personalities Kukla, Fran, and Ollie, clowns from the Social Security Clown Club from the Baltimore Social Security Administration, and an appearance by Santa Claus. For the complete schedule, see 1130285.

This schedule was prepared by Pat Howard for First Lady Betty Ford ahead of a Christmas party for children of diplomats held on the afternoon of December 16, 1975. It outlines Mrs. Ford’s anticipated activities and provides background information on the party's entertainers, attendees, and organizers. The party was organized by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, and featured entertainment by television puppetry personalities Kukla, Fran, and Ollie, clowns from the Social Security Clown Club from the Baltimore Social Security Administration, and an appearance by Santa Claus. This is the second page of the schedule. For the complete schedule, see 1130285.

This schedule was prepared by Pat Howard for First Lady Betty Ford ahead of a Christmas party for children of diplomats held on the afternoon of December 16, 1975. It outlines Mrs. Ford’s anticipated activities and provides background information on the party's entertainers, attendees, and organizers. The party was organized by THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats, and featured entertainment by television puppetry personalities Kukla, Fran, and Ollie, clowns from the Social Security Clown Club from the Baltimore Social Security Administration, and an appearance by Santa Claus. This is the first page of the schedule. For the complete schedule, see 1130285.