There is at least one example of these uniforms in Smithsonian's "The
American Presidency: A Glorious Burden" exhibit. One was included in their
traveling version of this exhibit when it came to the Heinz History Center
here in Pittsburgh, PA.

They were white with gold braiding on one shoulder, gold buttons,
miscellaneous gold trim and included the letters "W.H." on each side of
the collar.

Lonnie G. Bunch III, at the S.I. was the one in charge of putting that
exhibit together. Page 80 of the book of the same name shows a picture and
the caption reads:
"3 Americans expect a certain degree of formality with the presidency but
are leery of too much pomp and circumstance. On European visits President
Nixon had been impressed by the imperial pageantry of official guards. In
an attempt to create a more formal atmosphere for his own state occasions,
these uniforms were designed for the White House Secret Service Uniformed
Division. They were first worn for a state visit by British Prime Minister
Harold Wilson in 1970. The gold-trimmed white tunics and peaked black hats
struck many Americans as a comical attempt to emulate the trappings of
European royalty. The black hat was first to go, replaced by a soft white
hat. The entire unifrom was abandoned during the mid-1970s."

Terri Blanchette
Membership Coordinator
Senator John Heinz History Center

> We're discussing Nixon on another list, and reference
> was made to uniforms that were made for guards at the
> White House during his regime.  According to my
> contacts, the uniforms were only used for a short
> while because they looked very regal and went over
> with a thud.  Something about conical (and comedic)
> hats and braiding.
>
> I've queried the web and learned that a uniform was on
> exhibit in a museum (as I recall, it was in Baltimore)
> at one point but can find no photos.
>
> If any of you have a picture of said uniform you could
> share (post it on
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MuseDocs if you like so
> that others can see it if interested), I'd much
> appreciate it.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> Indigo Nights
> [log in to unmask]
>
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