Program for Dinner Honoring Andrew Wyeth

This is an event program for a dinner party hosted by President Richard M. Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon on February 19, 1970 to honor American painter Andrew Wyeth. The dinner was held in the State Dining Room. Following the dinner, guests enjoyed entertainment by concert pianist Rudolf Serkin in the East Room. In addition to the dinner, Wyeth was honored with an exhibition of his art in the East Room from February 19,1970 through March 28, 1970. It was the first time an individual artist had been recognized at the White House with either a formal dinner or an art exhibition. First Lady Pat Nixon was a quiet champion of the arts -- collecting over 600 pieces for the White House Collection -- and a fan of the artistic Wyeth family. Later, Henriette Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth's sister, was commissioned to paint Pat Nixon's official White House portrait. 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.