Page 115 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

THE WHITE HOUSE  113

giltware on the table were The White House Visitor Center
bought by President Monroe
in 1817. The White House Visitor Center has interesting exhibits about
The dining room was the history of the White House and its decor, as well as royal
re decorated in 1998, when gifts on display. There are also seasonal lectures by renowned
the Queen Anne-style speakers on aspects of
chairs, which date from 1902, history in and out of the
were reupholstered. White House. The gift
shop carries an extensive
range, including the annual
The Lincoln Bedroom White House Christmas
ornament. Tours of the
Used today as the guest room state rooms of the White
for the friends and family of the House are extremely
President, the Lincoln Bedroom limited at this time. Self-
is decorated in the American guided tours can only
Victorian style, dating from be booked by special
around 1860. Used by Lincoln arrangement through a
as an office and cabinet room, member of Congress or,
this room became the Lincoln if a non-US citizen, through
Bedroom when President an embassy. Requests need
Truman decided to fill it with to be submitted at least
furniture from Lincoln’s era. 30 days in advance (more,
In the center is a 6 ft- (1.8 m-) Facade of the White House Visitor Center if possible).
wide rosewood bed with an
8 ft- (2.5 m-) high headboard.
The portrait of General Andrew around 1850. The chandelier
Jackson next to the bed is said has 20 arms, each one fitted
to have been one of President with a frosted glass globe.
Lincoln’s favorites.
The East Wing
The Treaty Room
The East Wing houses offices
Beginning with Andrew Johnson’s rather than ceremonial rooms.
presidency in 1865, the Treaty The walls of the Lobby are
Room served as the Cabinet adorned with portraits of
Room for 10 presidential past presidents. Both the
Administrations. The room East Landing and the East
contains many Victorian pieces Colon nade, which fronts
bought by President Ulysses S. the East Terrace, look out The interior of the West Wing’s Oval Office
Grant, including the original onto the beautiful Jacqueline during Bill Clinton’s administration
“Treaty Table” upon which Kennedy Garden. The Terrace,
President McKinley signed the which links the East Wing to The West Wing
1898 peace treaty with Spain. It he Residence, houses the
was used by Grant’s Cabinet. The White House movie theater. In 1902, the West Wing was built
cut-glass chandelier that hangs It was once Theodore by the architectural firm McKim,
here was made in England Roosevelt’s coatroom. Mead, and White for a total cost
of $65,196. In this wing, the
former Fish Room was renamed
the Roosevelt Room by President
Nixon, in honor of presidents
Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt
who created this wing. Their
portraits still hang in the room.
Also in the West Wing are
the Cabinet Room, where
government officials meet
with the president, and the
Oval Office, first added in 1909
and constructed in this location
in 1934, where the president
meets with visiting heads of
state. Over the years, many
presidents have personalized
The Victorian-era interior of the Treaty Room this room in some way.

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