We got to see about 10-ish rooms and several hallways. The craftsmanship was really incredible in every room we visited.
What surprised me, actually, was how small most of the rooms were.
The tour began with a long line and three different security checkpoints, of course. The security was actually pretty neat, but I'm not giving much detail-- probably not a good idea to publish that kind of information- but there were dogs involved.
We entered the White House and went down a long hallway that included a little gift shop and lots of pictures of past presidents and our current president.
The hallway had some small rooms off to the sides which we could peek into but couldn't enter.
The first one was a little red theater, then the Vermeil Room
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The next room off the main hallway was the China Room, where they keep a permanent display of White House china tableware.
On the other side of the hall was the library.
The Library's 1700 books are all by American authors.
We passed the dividers that President Trump famously stepped through to greet tour guests last year and went upstairs to the East Room.
On leaving the East Room, we passed the Cross Hall with its iconic red carpet.
Cross Hall from the other side. You can see the East Room on the other side of the carpet.
Outside now-- all done!
The back door
The East Room is the largest in the White House and is used for receptions, ceremonies, press conferences, etc.
There were members of the Secret Service in every room to answer questions and keep us in line.
On leaving the East Room, we passed the Cross Hall with its iconic red carpet.
There was a great view outside from the Green Room:
The Green Room was once Thomas Jefferson's dining room but is now a parlor and is used for receptions. Most of the furniture was made in 1810. The walls are covered with green silk.
That little girl in the corner saw a chair outside of the silk ropes and sat down in it. She got to sit for less than half a second before the Secret Service guy was asking her to get back up.
No sitting in the White House, if you please.
The interesting coffee urn belonged to John Adams and the two silver French candlesticks were used by James Madison.
This next one was my personal favorite. The Blue Room is one of the White House's iconic oval rooms and is also where they put the White House 18 foot Christmas Tree.
The next room was the Red Room, which supposedly is a classic favorite of White House First Ladies (although I would probably hang out in the Vermeil Room or the Blue Room if I were in that category).
Guys, there were SO MANY people here with us. It's amazing I didn't get more pictures with unidentified hands taking up part of the shot.
Next was the State Dining Room, which can supposedly seat 130 people at a time. That's quite a feat because it isn't a large room.
Hug!
And another hug :)
After the Dining Room, we went into the Cross Hall to take some last pictures, and then we left the White House from the back entrance.
Behind us is the President's seal-- "Seal of the President of the United States."
Wouldn't it be cool to go upstairs?
Outside now-- all done!
It was a really cool experience! I'm really grateful that we got to see the White House while we're in this part of the world.
-Jenna
