Evacuation of White House Residence Staff on September 11, 2001

In this photograph, White House Executive Chef Walter Scheib gathers with members of the White House Kitchen staff including Staff Kitchen chef Rachel Walker and contractor Marybeth Williams at the corner of H Street and Connecticut Avenue near Lafayette Square following the evacuation of the White House on September 11, 2001. Although White House Chief User Gary Walters issued the evacuation notice to White House Residence staff following the terrorist attacks that morning, communication regarding the evacuation was difficult due to a lack of government-issued communication devices carried by White House staff. Staff working in the White House Staff Kitchen were informed of the evacuation notice when assistant chef Cristeta Comerford telephoned from the Northwest Gate, and when Chef Scheib traveled to the underground kitchen in search of his remaining staff.