Nixon White House Tapes ›Tape 457 › Conversation 457-003

Nixon, Haldeman & Butterfield on Tuskegee art exhibit and White House tours

Wednesday, February 24, 1971 · 11:35 AM–11:38 AM ET · Oval Office ·3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob");  Butterfield, Alexander P.Conversation457-003 onTape 457 (tape position 01:27:58–01:32:53)StartWednesday, February 24, 1971 at 11:35 AMEndWednesday, February 24, 1971 at 11:38 AMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 457-003 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Alexander Butterfield coordinate logistics regarding an exhibit of Black art from Tuskegee currently on display at the White House. The participants discuss potential tours for school children and the presentation of specific presidential gifts, such as bowls and cup lids, to visitors. Nixon directs the staff to ensure the presentation is handled effectively during his brief appearance with the group.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Yeah, it is still on.
What was he doing?
It's still on.
Where?
What is it?
What is it?
I don't see it.
That's all.
It's a show from Tuskegee.
We brought it up.
Tuskegee.
It's a... Art?
Art.
It's a show from Tuskegee.
What is that described as?
It is still on the tourist road there now until 12-15.
Thousands of people coming through the residence.
The next is taking a group through it too.
So they will be afraid.
Yes, sir.
He's taking a group of school children with two.
Two and behind him, too.
So there's a break in the second and move the school children to the White House.
Now, what is it?
It's a nice touch if you can find out what it is I'm describing.
Thank you.
I think you drop in there and you know, cycle through here and then come right back out, back to your meeting.
Let's go.
They might like the cup lids and the bowls.
Just the cup lid and bowl.
Okay.
Let's see.
Okay, why don't you two bring it out for the girls.
Once again, I'll sit in the bowl and we'll just get another cup lid.

NARA Description

On February 24, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:35 am and 11:38 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 457-003 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 457-3

Date: February 24, 1971
Time: Unknown between 11:35 am and 11:38 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman

     The President’s schedule
          -Meeting with black leaders
               -Black history and art

Alexander P. Butterfield entered at an unknown time after 11:35 am

           -Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon
                -Tour of White House
           -Meeting with black leaders
                -Presidential gifts
                      -Stephen B. Bull

The President, et al. left at 11:38 am

Also recorded on February 24, 1971

  • 457-001 10:19 AM · 1 hr 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Henry A. Kissinger, Ronald L. Ziegler, Virginia H. Knauer, Lewis A. Engman, Elizabeth Hanford, White House photographer, and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:19 am to 11:35 am.
  • 457-002 11:35 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:35 am and 11:38 am.
  • 457-004 11:55 AM · 22 min — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Clifford M. Hardin, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:55 am and 12:19 pm.
  • 457-007 12:01 PM · 52 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:01 pm and 12:19 pm.
  • 457-008 12:19 PM · 1 min — unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:19 pm and 12:35 pm.
  • 457-005 12:34 PM · 43 min — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, White House operator, and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:34 pm to 1:24 pm.
  • 457-009 12:35 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:35 pm and 12:43 pm.
  • 457-006 1:24 PM · 17 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House from 1:24 pm to 1:25 pm.

All 10 conversations from February 24, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 457-003, February 24, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/457-003 (accessed September 18, 2026).