• Holiday Card from President and Mrs. Johnson, 1967
    White House Calligraphy Office
    Christmas
    holidays
    Blue Room
    State Floor
    print
    This is the interior of a Christmas card that was presented to White House Executive Chef Henry Haller from First Lady Lady Bird Johnson and President Lyndon B. Johnson in December 1967. This was Haller's second Christmas at the White House, though he was to remain executive chef until 1987. The card features an illustration by Robert Laessig of the official White House Christmas tree, positioned in its traditional spot in the center of the Blue Room. The back of the card discusses the tradition of Christmas trees in the White House. To view the card in its entirety, see 1128401. This card is part of a personal collection belonging to Chef Haller. In the position, Haller served five first families and their distinguished guests from 1966-1987.
  • State Dining Room Set Up for State Dinner Honoring Emperor Hirohito
    Unknown
    place setting
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    State Visit
    State Dinner
    This photograph shows the State Dining Room set for a State Dinner hosted by President Gerald R. Ford and First Lady Betty Ford on October 2, 1975 in honor of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Kōjun of Japan. The Lyndon B. Johnson china service was used at each place setting. White House Executive Chef Henry Haller oversaw the food preparations for the meal, which included veal medallions with wild rice and green beans niçoise, lobster en bellevue, an endive and watercress salad, and raspberry mousse. Following the dinner, guests transitioned to the East Room for entertainment by pianist Van Cliburn. To see images of Haller and the White House domestic staff team readying the dishes to serve, see 1128247, 1128250, 1128252, and 1128253. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.
  • Chef Henry Haller in the State Dining Room
    Bill Fitz-Patrick
    staff
    event
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    food & drink
    In this photograph, White House Executive Chef Henry Haller stands with butlers Alfred Saenz (left) and Wilson Jerman (center), waiting for guests to enjoy a buffet spread in the State Dining Room. The refreshments, which included fresh fruit and shrimp with cocktail sauce, were likely served during a reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps and their spouses, held on July 1, 1986 during the Ronald Reagan administration. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.
  • Group Photo of White House Staff, Reagan Administration
    Bill Fitz-Patrick
    staff
    State Dining Room
    State Floor
    This group photograph of the White House residence staff was taken in the State Dining Room on January 6, 1982, during the administration of President Ronald Reagan. The staff photographed worked primarily in the Executive Mansion and include kitchen staff, butlers, and the White House Curator's Office. The photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller, pictured standing in the second row in his chef's hat. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.
  • Official White House Gingerbread House, 1973
    Karl Schumacher
    holidays
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    food & drink
    This photograph shows a German A-frame gingerbread house created by White House Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert for the 1973 holiday season, during the Richard M. Nixon administration. Raffert's gingerbread houses had been a holiday tradition since 1969. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.
  • Mrs. Reagan Speaks at President Reagan's Birthday Party
    Mary Anne Fackelman
    staff
    celebration
    White House Guests
    State Floor
    East Room
    military
    In this photograph, taken February 6, 1981, First Lady Nancy Reagan hosts a surprise birthday party for her husband, President Ronald Reagan, in the East Room of the White House. For his 70th birthday, and his first in the White House, President Reagan expected an intimate gathering of about 20 friends and family members. Little did he know the grand bash Mrs. Reagan had in store, with over 100 guests, including many celebrity friends from California, such as James Stewart and Frank Sinatra, lighting by interior designer Ted Graber, and over ten cakes created by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller and White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Maitre d'hotel John W. Ficklin can be seen over Mesnier's shoulder on the right side of the photograph. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987, catering to the tastes of five first families and their distinguished guests.
  • Official White House Gingerbread House, 1977
    Unknown
    holidays
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    Christmas
    food & drink
    This photograph shows a German A-frame gingerbread house created by White House Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert for the 1977 holiday season, during the Jimmy Carter administration. Raffert's gingerbread houses had been a holiday tradition since 1969. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.
  • Official White House Gingerbread House, 1978
    Unknown
    holidays
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    Christmas
    food & drink
    This photograph shows a German A-frame gingerbread house created by White House Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert for the 1978 holiday season, during the Jimmy Carter administration. Raffert's gingerbread houses had been a holiday tradition since 1969. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.
  • Official White House Christmas Tree, 1981
    Unknown
    holidays
    Christmas
    Blue Room
    State Floor
    This photograph shows the official White House Christmas tree positioned in the center of the Blue Room for the 1981 holiday season. This was the first Christmas that President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan celebrated in the White House. The tree featured ornaments lent by the Museum of American Folk Art. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.
  • Official White House Christmas Tree, 1984
    Unknown
    Blue Room
    State Floor
    Christmas
    holidays
    This photograph shows the official White House Christmas tree positioned in the center of the Blue Room for the 1984 holiday season. Known for her "Just Say No" campaign, First Lady Nancy Reagan was dedicated to combating drug use and addiction. Starting in 1982, Mrs. Reagan arranged for the people of Second Genesis, a drug treatment program in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, to provide ornaments for her Christmas trees. In 1984, Second Genesis fashioned ornaments out of plant material to compliment natural pieces crafted by the Brandywine Museum in Pennsylvania. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.
  • President Reagan Shares a Toast at his 70th Birthday Party
    Bill Fitz-Patrick
    celebration
    White House Guests
    State Floor
    East Room
    food & drink
    In this photograph, taken on February 6, 1981, President Ronald Reagan raises a glass in the East Room as guests applaud during his 70th birthday party. The surprise party was organized by First Lady Nancy Reagan. Over 100 guests attended, including many celebrity friends of the Reagans, such as Frank Sinatra and James Stewart. In this photograph, President Reagan stands beside a table topped with over ten birthday cakes, created by White House Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier and Executive Chef Henry Haller. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.
  • East Room Christmas Decorations, Nixon Administration
    Karl Schumacher
    holidays
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    piano
    This photograph, taken on December 14, 1973 during the administration of Richard M. Nixon, shows the East Room decorated for the holiday season. Featured in the center of the photograph is a 1938 Steinway piano, a gift to the White House from Steinway & Sons of Long Island City, New York. This piano replaced an earlier piano given to the White House by Steinway in 1903. The piano is supported by three gilded, eagle-shaped legs in the Art deco style. President Nixon was an accomplished piano player, and occasionally accompanied distinguished performers at the White House, including jazz legend Duke Ellington. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.
  • The Reagans with Official White House Christmas Tree, 1985
    Unknown
    Christmas
    Blue Room
    State Floor
    holidays
    In this photograph, taken December 16, 1985, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan pose in front of the official White House Christmas tree, positioned in the center of the Blue Room. Known for her "Just Say No" campaign, Mrs. Reagan was deeply interested in combating drug use and addiction, and, starting in 1982, arranged for the people of Second Genesis, a drug treatment program in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, to provide decorations for her Christmas trees. In 1985, the Reagan's Executive Residence staff and Second Genesis made 1,500 ornaments from holiday cards sent to President Reagan in 1984. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.
  • State Dining Room at Christmastime, Nixon Administration
    Karl Schumacher
    Christmas
    holidays
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    This photograph shows the State Dining Room decorated for the holiday season in December 1973, during the administration of Richard M. Nixon. Over the mantelpiece, the 1895 landscape painting "Under the Palisades, in October" by Jasper Francis Cropsey replaces the painting of Abraham Lincoln by George Healy that customarily hangs in that spot. Due to its brooding depiction, the Lincoln portrait was temporarily moved to the East Room in 1973, however it was returned to the State Dining Room during the Gerald R. Ford administration in August 1974. Also noteworthy in this photograph is a German A-frame style gingerbread house, an early example of the annual tradition of the official White House Gingerbread House, created by White House Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert and, on the long dining table, is James Monroe's 13-foot gilded bronze surtout de table centerpiece or plateau that is the oldest object in the State Dining Room. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.
  • Chefs Display Desserts for Senate Ladies' Luncheon
    Bill Fitz-Patrick
    staff
    State Floor
    Blue Room
    food & drink
    In this photograph, taken by White House photographer Bill Fitz-Patrick on June 12, 1984, White House Executive Chef Henry Haller and chef Frank Ruta proudly display a dessert basket created for a luncheon hosted by First Lady Nancy Reagan for the wives of senators. In the background, sous chef Hans Raffert carefully carries a second dessert plate. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. As executive chef from 1966-1987, Haller catered to the tastes of five first families and their distinguished guests.
  • Entrance Hall Decorated for Christmas, Nixon Administration
    Karl Schumacher
    holidays
    State Floor
    Entrance Hall
    Christmas
    This photograph, taken December 14, 1973, shows the Entrance Hall festively furnished for the holiday season. To match the "gold" Christmas theme selected to honor former President James Monroe, First Lady Pat Nixon had the columns in the Entrance Hall covered in shining wrapping paper, so they appeared to be made of gold, and the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room decorated with miniature gilded fans. This would be the last Christmas that the Nixons would celebrate in the White House. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Henry Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.
  • Red Room, Johnson Administration
    Unknown
    Red Room
    State Floor
    This photograph of the Red Room was likely taken circa 1962-1964, early into the administration of Lyndon B. Johnson. The Red Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The room was first decorated with red fabrics during the James K. Polk administration in 1845. The richly decorated room is filled with furnishings in the American “Empire” or “Grecian” style. The parlor has been used for intimate receptions, teas, and meetings. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.
  • Cross Hall Decorated for Christmas, Nixon Administration
    Karl Schumacher
    Christmas
    holidays
    Cross Hall
    State Floor
    This photograph, taken December 14, 1973, shows the Cross Hall festively furnished for the holiday season. To match the "gold" Christmas theme selected to honor former President James Monroe, First Lady Pat Nixon had the columns in the Cross Hall covered in shining wrapping paper, so they appeared to be made of gold, and the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room decorated with miniature gilded fans. This would be the final Christmas that the Nixons would celebrate in the White House. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as the executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.
  • Staff Party in the Family Dining Room
    Unknown
    staff
    State Floor
    Family Dining Room
    celebration
    This photograph of a staff party in the Family Dining Room was taken on June 15, 1987, during the Ronald Reagan administration. In the foreground of the photograph are five members of the White House Kitchen staff. From left: White House Executive Chef Henry Haller, kitchen steward Adam Collick, assistant pastry chef Franette McCulloch, chef Frank Ruta, and White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. As executive chef from 1966-1987, Haller catered to the tastes of five first families and their distinguished guests.
  • Chef Haller Consults with Eugene Allen at Formal Dinner
    Unknown
    Family Dining Room
    State Floor
    staff
    In this photograph, White House Executive Chef Henry Haller consults with Maître d'hôtel Eugene Allen, head butler John Johnson, and the team of butlers in the Family Dining Room. The table is lined with trays of lobster, waiting to be served. Both Haller and Allen were long-time employees at the White House. Haller served five first families as White House executive chef from 1966-1987. Allen began working at the White House in 1952, as a pantry man during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. He was promoted to the position of maître d'hôtel during the administration of Ronald Reagan. This photograph is part of Chef Haller's personal collection.
  • Official White House Christmas Tree, 1986
    Unknown
    Christmas
    holidays
    Blue Room
    State Floor
    This photograph shows the official White House Christmas tree positioned in the center of the Blue Room for the 1986 holiday season. Known for her "Just Say No" campaign, First Lady Nancy Reagan was deeply interested in combating drug use and addiction. Starting in 1982, Mrs. Reagan arranged for the people of Second Genesis, a drug treatment program in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, to provide decorations for her Christmas trees. In 1986, Second Genesis worked with the White House residence staff to create over 100 "Mother Goose" ornaments to decorate the tree, and 15 soft-sculpture scenes at the base of the tree depicting Mother Goose rhymes. Other decorations on the tree included wooden gingerbread cookie ornaments, a return of the state flower ornaments that debuted with the 1969 official White House Christmas tree, Christmas card ornaments, and a soft-sculpture angel tree topper. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as the executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987..
  • Lynda Bird Johnson's Wedding Cake
    Unknown
    wedding
    State Floor
    East Room
    food & drink
    This cake was created for the wedding of Lynda Bird Johnson to Capt. Charles S. Robb on December 9, 1967. They were the 15th couple to be married at the White House. The cake is pictured on display in the East Room. White House Executive Chef Henry Haller oversaw the catering for the wedding reception, which, like the ceremony itself, was held in the East Room of the White House. The cake was designed by pastry chef Clement Maggia of the Greenbriar Hotel, and decorated by pastry chef Eric Crane of the Greenbriar Hotel on the day of the wedding. Johnson was the daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Henry Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987, serving five first families and their distinguished guests.
  • Lynda Bird Johnson and Charles Robb Wed in the East Room
    Unknown
    wedding
    State Floor
    First Family
    East Room
    military
    In this photograph, taken December 9, 1967, newlyweds Lynda Bird Johnson Robb and Capt. Charles S. Robb take their first steps together as man and wife following their wedding ceremony in the East Room of the White House. The ceremony was officiated by the Right Reverend Gerald Nicholas McAllister. This was the 15th wedding held at the White House. The couple enjoyed their wedding cake in the same room where they were married. During the ceremony, the cake was hidden behind a screen, which was removed when guests returned to the East Room for champagne, cake, and dancing. Fellow White House bride Alice Roosevelt Longworth, who married in 1906, was among the approximately 500 guests who attended the wedding. The bride's parents, President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, can be seen watching proudly on the left side of this photograph. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. As executive chef from 1966-1987, Haller oversaw the food preparations for three wedding receptions at the White House for first daughters Luci Baines Johnson, Lynda Bird Johnson, and Tricia Nixon.
  • Lynda Bird Johnson's Wedding Cake
    Unknown
    wedding
    staff
    State Floor
    East Room
    food & drink
    This cake was created for the wedding of first daughter Lynda Bird Johnson and Capt. Charles S. Robb on December 9, 1967. They were the 15th couple known to be married at the White House. The cake is pictured on display in the East Room. White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (far left) oversaw the catering for the wedding reception, which, like the ceremony itself, was held in the East Room of the White House. The cake was designed by pastry chef Clement Maggia of the Greenbriar Hotel, and decorated by pastry chef Eric Crane of the Greenbriar Hotel on the day of the wedding. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.
  • Tricia Nixon's Wedding Cake
    Unknown
    wedding
    State Floor
    Entrance Hall
    food & drink
    This photograph shows the top three layers and the cake topper of the wedding cake created for Tricia Nixon's reception on June 12, 1971. Nixon was the daughter of President Richard M. Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon. The cake was designed by New York pastry chef Maurice Bonté, who also created the wedding cake for then-first daughter Luci Baines Johnson in 1966. Measuring at nearly a foot tall, the cake topper was modeled after the altar in the White House Rose Garden, where Tricia Nixon exchanged vows with her husband-to-be, Edward Cox. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White Hosue from 1966-1987, and also oversaw the food preparations for the White House wedding receptions of first daughter Lynda Bird Johnson.