A Tour of the White House - First Floor
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 10:00AM 
East RoomWhen I left you the other day, we had entered the Residence and were ascending the staircase to the First Floor, which is where most of the rooms you'll recognize are. We go up, take a right, and start in the largest room in the White House, the East Room. This is where Abigail Adams famously hung her laundry (and may still be there). It's where President Lincoln and President Kennedy laid in state after their assassinations, and you may recognize it as the site of Presidential press conferences, a tradition instituted in this room by President Reagan. Originally called the Public Audience Room, it was felt that this was too imperial a title for a young Republic, and the moniker East Room stuck. Perhaps best known of all the artifacts in the White House, the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington that was saved by Dolly Madison hangs here, along with a more recent portrait of his wife. And, just to help debunk persistent and stupid urban legends, yes, the White House nativity was prominently on display.
From here, we passed in quick succession through the creatively-named Green, Blue, and Red Rooms. 
Green RoomThe Green Room, first referred to as such by President John Quincy Adams, was probably originally named for the green felt-covered game tables, and not the green silk wallpaper, which came much later. President Madison declared war on the British in this room, and President Lincoln's son Willie was laid out here following his death at 11 from typhoid fever. The Blue Room is the site for the "official" White House Christmas Tree (not to be confused with either the National Christmas Tree or the Capitol Christmas Tree). As is traditional, the tree reflects a theme chosen by the First Lady, in this case "Reflect, Rejoice, and Renew". Utilizing ornaments from previous Christmas's, the White House asked various community organizations to decorate them and pay tribute to a local monument. I'm afraid I couldn't get a comprehensive look before I moved on, but feel free to check out my flickr site if you want to see what I did get pics of. The last of the colored-themed rooms, the Red Room, was originally used as a breakfast room but is now a reception room.
State Dining RoomNext we move to the west end of the original building and the State Dining Room. Unlike the East Room, it doesn't quite take up the entire depth of the White House, leaving room for the Family Dining Room (not on our tour). The State Dining Room can seat up to 140 guests at a formal function, and has been expanded since the original construction with a removal of a staircase. A portrait of Abraham Lincoln by GeorgeHealy, painted shortly after his death in 1869, dominates the room, but a gingerbread White House added some holiday cheer.
We end up in, finally, in the Cross Hall and Entrance Hall. A slight traffic jam developed just outside the State Dining Room, as all of those damned tourists had to stop and get a picture of the iconic portrait of JFK that hangs just to the right as you enter the Cross Hall (mine is here). Painted by Aarom Shikler, it's pensive stance is designed to reflect the untimely end of President Kennedy's tenure as much as his personality. The Cross Hall is the long, red-carpeted, walk you see the President take on his way to the East Room for his press conferences. Like most guests we exit, ironically enough, through the Entrance Hall, stepping over a plaque commemorating four key years in the White House; the original construction in 1792, the post-fire building in 1817, Teddy Roosevelt's expansion in 1902 and the Truman rebuilding in 1952.
As we exit towards Pennsylvania Avenue, I hope this little tour helped provide some background of what's behind the facade for the majority of folks who can't get in. And for those who do, I hope it gives you a little heads up on what you'll be seeing.
War of 1812, White House, urban legends 
Reader Comments (3)
OK, rub it in. You got to see the Christmas trees. In 1972 I had press credentials for Nixon's second inaugurations (I was a "go-fer" for one of the networks because I had a friend who worked there). I do know it was before you were born, Tim. I had a "seat" on top of the stand opposite the reviewing stand. When I got too cold, I went in a press trailer and watched them select the photo that appeared on TV. Cushy "job". Oh, yeah, and, when I had to go to the toilet, no port-a-potties for me. Simply flashed my credentials and went into the White House and used the facilities int the press area.
Those were the days. Doubt "go-fers" get hired anymore.
After Nixon (and I saw him several times), I never saw another president until Obama drove by in the car. I don't count being present by the Smithsonian Castle for the inauguration with a tour group as seeing anything.
Enjoyed your piece, Tim, especially the photos. What is the security issue about taking photos in the White House? After all, they do regulate where you go and you see so little. Photos should hardly be a problem.
Haa......
What i say about this post?
Ha Ha i says My opinion.I never see WHITE HOSE.but now i saw one of the room .
BUT the thing behind this ITs not a White house.
We think this is a christmas Celebration?no,its the white house.