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 May 31, 1975, first daughter Susan Ford dances with date William Pifer and classmates from the Holton-Arms School at her senior prom. The prom for the 1975 graduating class of the Holton-Arms School of Bethesda, Maryland was held predominately in the East Room. It was the first prom held in the White House. Students covered the cost with funds they had raised since seventh grade. Students danced to music performed by The Outerspace Band, a five-member group consisting of former students from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and The Sandcastle, a seven-piece rock band based out of Richmond, Virginia.

This photograph of the official White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 16, 1975. In 1975, First Lady Betty Ford selected the theme "An Old-Fashioned Christmas in America," also referred to as "A Williamsburg Children's Christmas" as the theme for the Christmas tree. Colonial Williamsburg staff and volunteers contributed a majority of the nearly 3,000 ornaments that decorated the Douglas fir, using materials such as dried flowers and fruit, acorns, pinecones, straw, and yarn. The Museum of American Folk Art lent the White House ten antique portraits of children to place on the walls of the Blue Room, as well as an assortment of old toys, dolls, cradles, a train, rocking horse, and a wagon to place around the base of the tree.

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.

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 of the official White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 16, 1975. In 1975, First Lady Betty Ford selected the theme "An Old-Fashioned Christmas in America," also referred to as "A Williamsburg Children's Christmas" as the theme for the Christmas tree. Colonial Williamsburg staff and volunteers contributed a majority of the nearly 3,000 ornaments that decorated the Douglas fir, using materials such as dried flowers and fruit, acorns, pinecones, straw, and yarn. The Museum of American Folk Art lent the White House ten antique portraits of children to place on the walls of the Blue Room, as well as an assortment of old toys, dolls, cradles, a train, rocking horse, and a wagon to place around the base of the tree.

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 H. Bailey on December 9, 1985, NBC "Today" show weatherman Willard Scott, dressed as Santa Claus, introduces child actor Emmanuel Lewis during a Christmas party in the East Room hosted by First Lady Nancy Reagan for the children of the Diplomatic Corps. Lewis played the title character in the American television sitcom "Webster" from 1983-1989. In this photograph, Mrs. Reagan and social secretary Linda Faulkner can be seen seated among the children in the audience. 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.

This photograph of child actor Emmanuel Lewis performing in the East Room was taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey on December 9, 1985, during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Nancy Reagan for the children of the Diplomatic Corps. The party also featured entertainment by vaudevillian clown Avner Eisenberg and appearances by costumed characters. A television actor, Lewis played the title character in the American sitcom "Webster" from 1983-1989. 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

This photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, shows the Rose Garden as it appeared in April 1982, during the administration of Ronald Reagan. The Rose Garden is located on the west side of the South Grounds, just outside the Oval Office. It has gone through several incarnations: a vegetable garden in the first part of the 19th century, a “colonial” garden in 1902, and then replaced with a rose garden in 1913. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy wanted to expand the garden for official functions and events. His idea became the Rose Garden, designed by horticulturist, gardener, and close friend of the Kennedys, Rachel Lambert Mellon. The garden was installed the following year, becoming a green theater for official ceremonies and a special place for the first family’s private enjoyment.

This photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, shows the Rose Garden as it appeared in April 1982, during the administration of Ronald Reagan. The Rose Garden is located on the west side of the South Grounds, just outside the Oval Office. It has gone through several incarnations: a vegetable garden in the first part of the 19th century, a “colonial” garden in 1902, and then replaced with a rose garden in 1913. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy wanted to expand the garden for official functions and events. His idea became the Rose Garden, designed by horticulturist, gardener, and close friend of the Kennedys, Rachel Lambert Mellon. The garden was installed the following year, becoming a green theater for official ceremonies and a special place for the first family’s private enjoyment.

This photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, shows the Rose Garden as it appeared in April 1982, during the administration of Ronald Reagan. The Rose Garden is located on the west side of the South Grounds, just outside the Oval Office. It has gone through several incarnations: a vegetable garden in the first part of the 19th century, a “colonial” garden in 1902, and then replaced with a rose garden in 1913. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy wanted to expand the garden for official functions and events. His idea became the Rose Garden, designed by horticulturist, gardener, and close friend of the Kennedys, Rachel Lambert Mellon. The garden was installed the following year, becoming a green theater for official ceremonies and a special place for the first family’s private enjoyment.

This photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, shows the Rose Garden as it appeared in April 1982, during the administration of Ronald Reagan. The Rose Garden is located on the west side of the South Grounds, just outside the Oval Office. It has gone through several incarnations: a vegetable garden in the first part of the 19th century, a “colonial” garden in 1902, and then replaced with a rose garden in 1913. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy wanted to expand the garden for official functions and events. His idea became the Rose Garden, designed by horticulturist, gardener, and close friend of the Kennedys, Rachel Lambert Mellon. The garden was installed the following year, becoming a green theater for official ceremonies and a special place for the first family’s private enjoyment.

This photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, shows the Rose Garden as it appeared in April 1982, during the administration of Ronald Reagan. The Rose Garden is located on the west side of the South Grounds, just outside the Oval Office. It has gone through several incarnations: a vegetable garden in the first part of the 19th century, a “colonial” garden in 1902, and then replaced with a rose garden in 1913. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy wanted to expand the garden for official functions and events. His idea became the Rose Garden, designed by horticulturist, gardener, and close friend of the Kennedys, Rachel Lambert Mellon. The garden was installed the following year, becoming a green theater for official ceremonies and a special place for the first family’s private enjoyment.

This photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, shows the Rose Garden as it appeared in April 1982, during the administration of Ronald Reagan. The Rose Garden is located on the west side of the South Grounds, just outside the Oval Office. It has gone through several incarnations: a vegetable garden in the first part of the 19th century, a “colonial” garden in 1902, and then replaced with a rose garden in 1913. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy wanted to expand the garden for official functions and events. His idea became the Rose Garden, designed by horticulturist, gardener, and close friend of the Kennedys, Rachel Lambert Mellon. The garden was installed the following year, becoming a green theater for official ceremonies and a special place for the first family’s private enjoyment.

This photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, shows the Rose Garden as it appeared in April 1982, during the administration of Ronald Reagan. The Rose Garden is located on the west side of the South Grounds, just outside the Oval Office. It has gone through several incarnations: a vegetable garden in the first part of the 19th century, a “colonial” garden in 1902, and then replaced with a rose garden in 1913. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy wanted to expand the garden for official functions and events. His idea became the Rose Garden, designed by horticulturist, gardener, and close friend of the Kennedys, Rachel Lambert Mellon. The garden was installed the following year, becoming a green theater for official ceremonies and a special place for the first family’s private enjoyment.

In this photograph, taken July 30, 1982 by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, First Lady Nancy Reagan samples dishes prepared by pastry chef Roland Mesnier (left), White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (center), and chef Frank Ruta. As first lady, Mrs. Reagan often consulted with chefs before special events, offering suggestions for imaginative desserts such as the spun-sugar elephant and swan creations on the table.

In this photograph, taken July 30, 1982 by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, First Lady Nancy Reagan samples dishes prepared by pastry chef Roland Mesnier (left), White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (center), and chef Frank Ruta. As first lady, Mrs. Reagan often consulted with chefs before special events, offering suggestions for imaginative desserts such as the spun-sugar elephant and swan creations on the table.

In this photograph, taken July 30, 1982 by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, First Lady Nancy Reagan admires dishes prepared by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (right) in the White House Kitchen on the Ground Floor of the Executive Mansion. As first lady, Mrs. Reagan often consulted with chefs before special events.

In this photograph, taken July 30, 1982 by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, First Lady Nancy Reagan samples dishes prepared by pastry chef Roland Mesnier (left), White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (right). As first lady, Mrs. Reagan often consulted with chefs before special events, offering suggestions for imaginative desserts such as the spun-sugar elephant and swan creations on the table.

In this photograph, taken July 30, 1982 by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, First Lady Nancy Reagan samples dishes prepared by pastry chef Roland Mesnier (left), White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (center), and chef Frank Ruta. As first lady, Mrs. Reagan often consulted with chefs before special events, offering suggestions for imaginative desserts such as the spun-sugar elephant and swan creations on the table.

In this photograph, taken July 30, 1982 by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, First Lady Nancy Reagan admires dishes prepared by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (right) in the White House Kitchen on the Ground Floor of the Executive Mansion. As first lady, Mrs. Reagan often consulted with chefs before special events.

In this photograph, taken July 30, 1982 by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, First Lady Nancy Reagan admires a spun-sugar elephant and other delicacies prepared by pastry chef Roland Mesnier (left), White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (center), and chef Frank Ruta. As first lady, Mrs. Reagan often consulted with chefs before special events, offering suggestions for imaginative desserts such as the spun-sugar elephant.