• First Ladies Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush with White House Staff
    Unknown
    staff
    Center Hall
    Second Floor
    Residence staff
    This is a photograph of First Lady Laura Welch Bush and former First Lady Nancy Reagan with a group of White House staff members. It is likely this group -- that includes curators, florists, chefs, and butlers -- worked in the White House during Mrs. Reagan's time living there and were reunited upon Mrs. Reagan's visit to the White House. The group is captured standing in the Center Hall on the Second Floor residence of the White House. An inscription on this photograph reads, "To Roland Mesnier / With best wishes," and is signed by both of the first ladies. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.
  • First Ladies Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush with White House Staff
    Unknown
    staff
    Center Hall
    Second Floor
    Residence staff
    This is a photograph of First Lady Laura Welch Bush and former First Lady Nancy Reagan with a group of White House staff members. It is likely this group -- that includes curators, florists, chefs, and butlers -- worked in the White House during Mrs. Reagan's time living there and were reunited upon Mrs. Reagan's visit to the White House. The group is captured standing in the Center Hall on the Second Floor residence of the White House. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.
  • Mrs. Reagan with White House Kitchen Staff
    Mary Anne Fackelman
    staff
    food & drink
    Residence staff
    Kitchen
    Ground Floor
    This is a photograph of First Lady Nancy Reagan with White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier and White House Executive Chef Henry Haller sampling dessert options in the White House Kitchen on June 24, 1982. Mrs. Reagan asked chefs to provide samples of potential desserts for major events beforehand. This photograph features a dessert that was not used until two years later for a State Dinner honoring the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on June 18, 1984. The key dessert for that State Dinner was a nougat glace with fresh cherries and coconut ice cream in the shape of asparagus. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004. Please note: date on attached paper has been confirmed inaccurate. Use the date provided in this description and in the date field below.
  • White House Kitchen Staff Greet Reagans and Bushes
    Unknown
    staff
    Ground Floor Corridor
    Ground Floor
    Residence Staff
    In this photograph, members of the White House Kitchen staff greet President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan in the Ground Floor Corridor. President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush are seen in the background in the doorway leading to the Diplomatic Reception Room. This photograph is undated. The Kitchen staff, from left to right are: chef Frank Ruta, chef Hans Raffert, pastry chef Franette McCulloch, and White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.
  • Mrs. Reagan with White House Kitchen Staff
    Unknown
    staff
    food & drink
    Residence staff
    Kitchen
    Ground Floor
    This is a photograph of First Lady Nancy Reagan with White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier and White House Executive Chef Henry Haller sampling dessert options in the White House Kitchen on June 24, 1982. Mrs. Reagan asked chefs to provide samples of potential desserts for major events beforehand. This photograph features a dessert that was not used until two years later for a State Dinner honoring the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on June 18, 1984. The key dessert for that State Dinner was a nougat glace with fresh cherries and coconut ice cream in the shape of asparagus. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.
  • First Lady Nancy Reagan and Chef Roland Mesnier
    Unknown
    staff
    Residence staff
    State Dining Room
    State Floor
    In this photography First Lady Nancy Reagan greets White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier in the State Dining Room at an event. Chef Frank Ruta, in glasses, stands in the background. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.
  • Mrs. Reagan with White House Kitchen Staff
    Mary Anne Fackelman
    food & drink
    Kitchen
    Ground Floor
    Residence staff
    staff
    This is a photograph of First Lady Nancy Reagan with White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier and White House Executive Chef Henry Haller sampling dessert options in the White House Kitchen on June 24, 1982. Mrs. Reagan asked chefs to provide samples of potential desserts for major events beforehand. This photograph features a dessert that was not used until two years later for a State Dinner honoring the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on June 18, 1984. The key dessert for that State Dinner was a nougat glace with fresh cherries and coconut ice cream in the shape of asparagus. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.
  • President and First Lady Reagan Depart Marine One
    Roland Mesnier
    transportation
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    Marine One
    military
    This is a photograph of President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan departing Marine One after arriving on the South Lawn White House. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.
  • Mrs. Reagan and Chef Raffert with the 1987 White House Gingerbread House
    Unknown
    winter holidays
    staff
    gingerbread
    food & drink
    decorations
    Christmas
    Residence staff
    State Dining Room
    State Floor
    This photograph features First Lady Nancy Reagan and Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert in the State Dining Room with the 1987 White House Gingerbread House. Chef Raffert's gingerbread houses were all variations on the traditional German A-Frame design and featured versions of the Hansel and Gretel fairytale. Each year, his houses grew bigger and more ornate, incorporating jelly beans, assorted hard candies, and candy canes. Actor and comedian Dom DeLuise, who attended the press preview of the White House holiday decorations hosted by Mrs. Reagan dressed as Santa Claus, can be seen in the background. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.
  • Mrs. Reagan and Chef Raffert with the 1986 White House Gingerbread House
    Unknown
    winter holidays
    staff
    gingerbread
    food & drink
    decorations
    Christmas
    State Dining Room
    State Floor
    Residence staff
    This photograph features First Lady Nancy Reagan and Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert in the State Dining Room with the 1986 White House Gingerbread House. Chef Raffert's gingerbread houses were all variations on the traditional German A-Frame design and featured versions of the Hansel and Gretel fairytale. Each year, his houses grew bigger and more ornate, incorporating jelly beans, assorted hard candies, and candy canes. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.
  • President and Mrs. Reagan Greet Prime Minister of Ireland
    Michael Evans
    head of state
    State Floor
    Red Room
    St. Patrick's Day
    In this photograph by Michael Evans, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan speak with Taoiseach Charles Haughey of Ireland on March 17, 1982. President and Mrs. Reagan welcomed Haughey in the Red Room of the White House on St. Patrick's Day. Haughey served as taoiseach, or prime minister, three times.
  • Mrs. Reagan Decorates the Blue Room Tree with Official White House Ornament
    Mary Anne Fackelman
    winter holidays
    ornament
    decorations
    WHHA
    State Floor
    Blue Room Christmas Tree
    Blue Room
    Christmas
    In this photograph, taken by Mary Anne Fackelman on December 10, 1982, First Lady Nancy Reagan pauses to smile before hanging the Official White House Christmas Ornament on the Blue Room Christmas Tree. A holiday tradition since 1981, proceeds from the Official White House Christmas Ornament support the White House Historical Association's educational mission of enhancing public knowledge of the White House and preserving the White House Collection. The Official White House Christmas Ornament is also a part of the annual holiday decorations at the White House, and has been featured in a variety of locations including the Blue Room, Vermeil Room, and Library.
  • Holiday Decoration Press Preview, 1985
    Bill Fitz-Patrick
    winter holidays
    staff
    pets
    gingerbread
    food & drink
    decorations
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    Residence staff
    Christmas
    This photograph was taken on December 9, 1985, during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations hosted by First Lady Nancy Reagan. Here, Mrs. Reagan holds her dog Rex and laughs during the presentation of the official White House Gingerbread House. The display was made by Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert and included figures based on the Hansel and Gretel fairytale and a pathway made of jelly beans, President Ronald Reagan's favorite treat. Raffert's A-frame style gingerbread houses were a traditional part of the White House holiday decorations from 1969-1991. Also pictured at the far left of this photograph is actor Larry Hagman, who accompanied Mrs. Reagan for the press preview dressed as Santa Claus.
  • The Reagans Visit the Bushes at the U.S. Naval Observatory
    Unknown
    meals
    U.S. Naval Observatory
    Washington, D.C.
    This photograph was taken on February 12, 1981, during a visit by President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan to the vice president's residence at the United States Naval Observatory. Vice President George H. W. Bush and Second Lady Barbara Bush invited the president and first lady to their residence for an informal dinner. Here, President Reagan, Nancy Reagan, Vice President Bush, and Barbara Bush relax and chat in the library of the Naval Observatory.
  • The Reagans and Bushes at the U.S. Naval Observatory
    Unknown
    pets
    meals
    U.S. Naval Observatory
    Washington, D.C.
    This photograph was taken on February 12, 1981, during a visit by President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan to the vice president's residence at the United States Naval Observatory. Vice President George H. W. Bush and Second Lady Barbara Bush invited the president and first lady to their residence for an informal dinner. Here, President Reagan plays with the Bushes' dog, C. Fred, while Mrs. Reagan, Vice President Bush, and Mrs. Bush look on. In 1984, Mrs. Bush wrote a book documenting her husband's career from the springer spaniel's perspective, titled "C. Fred's Story."
  • President and Mrs. Reagan Dance at Inaugural Ball
    Unknown
    inaugurations
    In this photograph taken on January 21, 1985, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan dance at the Inaugural Ball held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The ball followed President Reagan’s swearing in for his second term earlier in the day.
  • President and Mrs. Reagan Dance at Inaugural Ball
    Unknown
    inaugurations
    In this photograph taken on January 21, 1985, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan dance at the Inaugural Ball held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The ball followed President Reagan’s swearing in for his second term earlier in the day.
  • President Reagan Takes the Oath of Office
    Unknown
    inaugurations
    U.S. Capitol
    Washington, D.C.
    Justices
    This photograph of President Ronald Reagan being sworn-in by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger of the Supreme Court was taken on January 20, 1981. President Reagan was sworn-in on a bible held by his wife, First Lady Nancy Reagan, for his inauguration ceremony. Reagan's inauguration was the first held from the west front of the United States Capitol. Among the attendees to the ceremony were President George H. W. Bush and Second Lady Barbara Bush and the outgoing administration of President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter F. Mondale.
  • President Reagan Takes the Oath of Office
    Unknown
    inaugurations
    Washington, D.C.
    U.S. Capitol
    Justices
    This photograph of President Ronald Reagan taking the Oath of Office at the United States Capitol was taken on January 20, 1981. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger of the Supreme Court administered the Oath of Office. Reagan's inauguration was the first held on the west front of the United States Capitol. Among the witnesses to the ceremony were First Lady Nancy Reagan, Vice President George H. W. Bush, and Second Lady Barbara Bush.
  • President and Mrs. Reagan at Camp David
    Michael Evans
    leisure
    Camp David
    This photograph, taken by White House photographer Michael Evans on October 2, 1982, shows President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan walking hand-in-hand during a visit to Camp David. Camp David, then called Shangri-La, was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a presidential retreat. President Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed the retreat Camp David after his grandson, David Eisenhower. President Reagan relished the privacy and freedom of the retreat, and enjoyed the rare pleasure of being able to take morning walks away from security personnel and public scrutiny.
  • President and Mrs. Reagan Attend the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles
    Michael Evans
    sports
    Los Angeles
    California
    Presidential Visit
    travel
    In this photograph, taken on July 28, 1984, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan pose with Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci and Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International Olympic Committee, in the press box of the Los Angeles Memorial Colosseum in Los Angeles, California. President Reagan was in attendance to provide opening remarks for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. This was the first time a sitting American president opened an Olympic Games, establishing a tradition of presidents appearing at the Olympics when they are held in the United States. Formerly, Olympic Games in the United States would be formally opened by local political leaders or representatives of the president. As governor of New York, Franklin D. Roosevelt opened the 1932 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York, while Vice President Richard M. Nixon attended the opening ceremonies at the 1960 Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley, California.
  • President and Mrs. Reagan Attend the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles
    Michael Evans
    travel
    sports
    Los Angeles
    California
    Presidential Visit
    In this photograph, taken on July 28, 1984, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan watch over the opening ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games from the press box of the Los Angeles Memorial Colosseum in Los Angeles, California. This was the first time a sitting American president opened an Olympic Games, establishing a tradition of presidents appearing at the Olympics when they are held in the United States. Formerly, Olympic Games in the United States would be formally opened by local political leaders or representatives of the president. As Governor of New York, Franklin D. Roosevelt opened the 1932 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York, while Vice President Richard M. Nixon attended the opening ceremonies at the 1960 Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley, California.
  • President and Mrs. Reagan Deliver Radio Address at Camp David
    Michael Evans
    travel
    Camp David
    initiatives
    In this photograph, taken by Michael Evans on October 2, 1982, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan deliver a national radio address on drug abuse and crime during a working vacation to Camp David. During her husband's presidency, Nancy Reagan's main initiative was taking an active role in the War on Drugs, creating the "Just Say No" campaign to educate youth about the dangers of drugs and drug abuse.
  • 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.
  • Mrs. Reagan with White House Chefs
    Joseph H. Bailey
    residence staff
    food & drink
    White House Kitchen
    Ground Floor
    staff
    In this photograph, taken July 30, 1982 by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, First Lady Nancy Reagan samples dishes prepared by pastry chef Roland Mesnier (left), White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (center), and chef Frank Ruta. As first lady, Mrs. Reagan often consulted with chefs before special events, offering suggestions for imaginative desserts such as the spun-sugar elephant and swan creations on the table.