• Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1969
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    crèche
    decorations
    parties
    winter holidays
    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.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1965
    James P. Blair
    winter holidays
    parties
    military
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    Christmas
    Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
    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.
  • Blue Room Christmas Tree, 1975
    Joseph H. Bailey
    State Floor
    Christmas
    Blue Room
    Blue Room Christmas Tree
    winter holidays
    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.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1969
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    winter holidays
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    Christmas
    parties
    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.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1975
    Joseph H. Bailey
    State Floor
    Christmas
    Blue Room
    Blue Room Christmas Tree
    parties
    winter holidays
    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.
  • Pat Nixon at Diplomatic Children's Party, 1969
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    winter holidays
    parties
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    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.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1965
    James P. Blair
    winter holidays
    parties
    military
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
    performing
    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.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1965
    James P. Blair
    winter holidays
    parties
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    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.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1977
    Joseph H. Bailey
    winter holidays
    parties
    arts & culture
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    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.
  • Blue Room Christmas Tree, 1975
    Joseph H. Bailey
    State Floor
    Christmas
    Blue Room
    Blue Room Christmas Tree
    winter holidays
    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.
  • Rosalynn and Amy Carter at Diplomatic Children's Party, 1977
    Joseph H. Bailey
    press
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    winter holidays
    parties
    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.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1975
    Joseph H. Bailey
    State Floor
    Christmas
    Blue Room
    Blue Room Christmas Tree
    parties
    winter holidays
    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.
  • Pat Nixon at Diplomatic Children's Party, 1969
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    winter holidays
    parties
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    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.
  • Pat Nixon at Diplomatic Children's Party, 1969
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    winter holidays
    parties
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    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.
  • Washington School of Ballet Performs "The Nutcracker"
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    winter holidays
    performing
    arts & culture
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    parties
    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.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1974
    Karl Schumacher
    winter holidays
    parties
    Christmas
    East Room
    State Floor
    In this photograph, taken by Karl Schumacher on December 11, 1974, First Lady Betty Ford sits with an audience of children during the annual White House Christmas party for the children of diplomats. The party was organized 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. The party featured entertainment by magician James Randi as well as appearances by costumed characters including "Mickey Mouse" and "Santa Claus," portrayed by White House aide John E. Nidecker.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1985
    Joseph H. Bailey
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    performing
    arts & culture
    parties
    winter holidays
    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.
  • Emmanuel Lewis Performs at Diplomatic Children's Party, 1985
    Joseph H. Bailey
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    winter holidays
    parties
    performing
    arts & culture
    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
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1977
    Joseph H. Bailey
    winter holidays
    parties
    arts & culture
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    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.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1977
    Joseph H. Bailey
    winter holidays
    parties
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    performing
    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, members of the theater company including Judith Ann Abrams gesture triumphantly toward Amy Carter, who is seated onstage in her costume.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1977
    Joseph H. Bailey
    winter holidays
    parties
    State Floor
    East Room
    Christmas
    performing
    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. Here, Mrs. Carter and Amy watch the performance with the audience of children. White House press corps journalist Helen Thomas and Mary Prince, Amy’s nanny, stand behind the audience.
  • Amy Carter at Diplomatic Children's Party, 1977
    Joseph H. Bailey
    State Floor
    Christmas
    winter holidays
    Blue Room
    parties
    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 daughter Amy Carter poses with guests in the Blue Room.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1969
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    winter holidays
    parties
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    Christmas
    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 State Dining Room, as members of the White House residence staff look on.
  • Betty Ford Hosts Diplomatic Children's Party, 1975
    Joseph H. Bailey
    State Floor
    Christmas
    State Dining Room
    parties
    winter holidays
    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, First Lady Betty Ford mingles with guests in the State Dining Room.
  • Christmas Party for Children of Diplomats, 1975
    Joseph H. Bailey
    State Floor
    Christmas
    Blue Room
    Blue Room Christmas Tree
    parties
    winter holidays
    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 admire the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room. In 1975, First Lady Betty Ford selected the theme "An Old-Fashioned Christmas in America," also referred to as "A Williamsburg Children's Christmas," to decorate 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.