East Room Christmas Decorations, Nixon Administration
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.