• President Nixon and Pat Nixon on State Visit to China
    Oliver F. Atkins
    children
    Presidential Visit
    Head of State
    First Lady Visit
    China
    This photograph was taken on February 26, 1972, during President Richard M. Nixon's historic visit to the People's Republic of China. It was the first time an American president had taken part in a State Visit to China. In this photograph, Chinese Premier Enlai Zhou holds the hand of a young girl, who looks shyly up at President Nixon. First Lady Pat Nixon stands behind her husband. Enlai Zhou was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China after it was established as a communist state by Chairman Mao Zedong in 1949. 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 Carter Oversees Pumpkin Carving Contest at Amy Carter's Birthday Party
    Unknown
    staff
    children
    celebration
    Ground Floor
    China Room
    holidays
    In this photograph, taken October 19, 1977, President Jimmy Carter watches over the young participants of a pumpkin carving contest in the China Room of the White House. The contest was held to celebrate the tenth birthday of Amy Carter, the president's daughter. Maître d'hôtel John W. Ficklin is also captured alongside President Carter in overseeing the proceedings. Ficklin joined the White House staff in 1939, and retired as maître d'hôtel in 1983. 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.
  • Amy Carter's Tenth Birthday Party
    Unknown
    children
    celebration
    Third Floor
    Solarium
    food & drink
    In this photograph, taken October 19, 1977, Amy Carter grabs a candle from her cake during her tenth birthday party. To celebrate her birthday, Amy and 14 friends participated in a pumpkin carving contest in the China Room and watched the 1931 film Frankenstein in the Family Theater. 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 Join "Hands Across America"
    Pete Souza
    staff
    north view
    event
    children
    North Portico
    First Families
    In this photograph, taken May 25, 1986, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan descend from the North Door to take part in "Hands Across America." During the charity event, designed to raise awareness for homelessness and famine, over five million Americans from across the continental United States formed a human chain and held hands for 15 minutes. Among those who participated in "Hands Across America" near the North Portico were President Reagan's daughter Maureen Reagan, her husband Dennis Revell, and White House press secretary James S. Brady. 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.
  • Staff Present Cake at Amy Carter's Mickey Mouse Party
    Unknown
    staff
    food
    event
    State Floor
    East Room
    children
    In this photograph, taken on November 17, 1978, butler Eugene Allen (left) and maître d'hotel John W. Ficklin (right) bring out a cake 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. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served five first families and their distinguished guests as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.