Program for Thanksgiving Day Dinner, 1969

This is the left side of the interior of an event program for a Thanksgiving Day party hosted by First Lady Pat Nixon on November 27, 1969. Mrs. Nixon was inspired by the work of a local nonprofit organization that connected isolated elderly people with others in the community to share a meal on Thanksgiving. Mrs. Nixon invited approximately 225 senior citizens, from 18 regional retirements and assisted living facilities, to join her family for an early Thanksgiving dinner. President Richard M. Nixon, Mrs. Nixon, their daughters Julie Nixon Eisenhower and Tricia Nixon, Julie's husband David Eisenhower, David's sister Susan Eisenhower, David and Susan's grandmother Mamie Doud Eisenhower, and Mamie Doud Eisenhower's uncle Joel Carlson sat among the guest tables in both the East Room and State Dining Room. The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the United States Marine Orchestra, balladier Tayler Vrooman, and the Beers Family Folk Singers provided musical entertainment. Guests were served a traditional Thanksgiving dinner including stuffed turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. The president did not partake in the afternoon dinner, instead eating a lighter lunch of his favorite cottage cheese in the President's Dining Room on the Second Floor. President Nixon also enjoyed a private Thanksgiving dinner with family members at his vacation home in Key Biscayne, Florida. This program is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. As executive chef from 1966-1987, Haller oversaw the menus for many celebrations at the White House. To view the complete program, see 1126879.