Inside the White House, the official residence of the President of the United States. Catherine's Palace. Agate rooms. Oval Office What shape is the office of the American president

White House- the official residence of the President of the United States, located in Washington at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

All American leaders took turns becoming the owners of the legendary mansion, with the exception of the first President George Washington, who left office before the White House was finally completed.

The White House is a Palladian-style mansion. Its construction began in 1792 and was completed on November 1, 1800. On the same day, the palace became the official residence of the second US President John Adams.

The mansion has six floors: two basements, two for public receptions and two for the president's family. Visitors who take a tour of the White House have the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful and historic rooms, including the East Room, Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room and the Formal Dining Room. These premises are used by the President and First Lady to receive guests and leaders from other countries. And the president’s main workplace is Oval Office, where the head of state signs bills and government orders, and also meets with his employees, visitors and guests.

How arranged White house| RIA Novosti

The basement and ground floors of the Presidential Residence are occupied by technical services (air conditioning and heating units, laundry, etc.)

The first floor of the White House was originally intended to house support services (kitchen, laundry, etc.) At the beginning of the 20th century, under the twenty-sixth US President Theodore Roosevelt, and also after the Second World War, during the reign of the thirty-third US President Harry Truman , the first floor of the central part of the White House was rebuilt and reconstructed.

Nowadays there is a library, a diplomatic reception hall, a map room, a Chinese room, a Gilded room and other rooms located here.

Library

Map room

The Map Room got its name during World War II, when the thirty-second US President Franklin Roosevelt worked with maps there. The room is now used for television interviews with the President and other events.

The Diplomatic Reception Room, one of three oval rooms in the central part of the White House, is the entrance to the building from the South Lawn. It is here that the reception of foreign ambassadors is held, presenting their credentials.

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The Chinese Room is so named because it houses a unique collection of Chinese art (porcelain, ivory, jewelry, etc.). Caroline Garrison, the wife of the twenty-third US President Benjamin Harrison, began collecting it back in the 19th century. Over the following decades, the collection grew and a special room was allocated for it. The Chinese Room often hosts receptions, tea parties and other events for the First Lady of the United States.

The Gilded Room houses another collection of gilded silver items from the 18th-19th centuries.

In addition, on the ground floor of the White House there is a bowling alley and a number of office spaces - a kitchen, a doctor's office and others.

The second floor (called the "state floor") is used for various official events - receptions, dinners, press conferences.

Here are the East Hall, Green Hall, Blue Hall, Red Hall, State Dining Room, Family Dining Room.

The eastern hall is the most large room White House. Receptions, concerts, and gala dinners are held here.

The Blue Room is another oval room in the White House, traditionally decorated in blue tones. Used for receptions and dinners with a small number of participants. A Christmas tree is being installed in the Blue Hall.

The Green and Red halls are decorated in green and red colors accordingly. They are small and host small receptions and tea parties.

Red Hall

Green Hall

Blue Hall

There are two dining rooms on the second floor of the White House - the State Dining Room and Family Dining Room.

On the same floor there is also the office of the head of the technical service - the “supply manager” and “house manager” of the White House.

Plan of the third (family) floor of the White House

Most of the rooms on the next, third floor of the White House are the living quarters of the President's family, but some are also used for official purposes.

Small receptions and meetings with heads of foreign states are held in the Yellow Oval Office.

The Treaty Room, so named because the twenty-fifth President of the United States, William McKinley, signed the peace treaty with Spain there in 1898, is used as personal account President.

There are several bedrooms on the floor, including the President's Bedroom, the King's Bedroom and the Lincoln Bedroom.

Also on the third floor there are several living rooms, a dressing room and a number of other rooms.

Lincoln Bedroom at the White House

White House Royal Bedroom

On the last, fourth, floor of the White House there is a music room, a solarium, as well as guest rooms and office space.

Ground floor plan of the West Wing of the White House

The three-story West Wing is the “working” part of the White House.

It is here, in the Oval Office, that the President of the United States works. In addition, the West Wing houses the Cabinet Room, where meetings of the United States Cabinet are held; the office of the Vice President of the United States, the offices of the heads of the Office of the President of the United States of America and support staff.

The West Wing also houses the White House Press Building and a room where briefings and press conferences are held.

In the basement of the West Wing there is a situation room designed to work during crises, Secret Service premises, a dining room, and a swimming pool.

The West Wing is lower than the central part of the White House and hidden from the eyes of tourists by trees.

The two-story East Wing of the White House houses the office of the First Lady of the United States, the White House Cinema and office space.

The President's wife, the First Lady of the United States, has at her disposal a whole staff of employees who are involved in conducting all public and ceremonial events in the White House. These include a press secretary, floral designer, chief calligrapher, chef and other specialists. Their work is supervised by the White House Social Secretary.

Cinema

It is through the East Wing that visitors enter the White House. They walk through a wood-paneled hallway lined with portraits of the Presidents and First Ladies of the United States.

There is also an underground floor of the East Wing, where there is a nuclear strike Presidential Emergency Operations Center.

I was curious to see!

The floor plan determined its name.

Cameron wanted to “decorate the walls of his office with counterfeit marble,” but this option was rejected; they were plastered and decorated with decorative panels in stucco frames with light floral designs with gilded acanthus leaves. and picturesque medallions with allegories of Earth, Water, Air and Fire.

More other Agate rooms in progress restoration work In 2013, the appearance of the Oval Office changed. As a result of the clearing, it turned out that the original range of decor for this interior, is completely different from what existed before 2011.

Instead of the olive shades of the walls and surfaces of the dome, the brown and blue-violet colors of its picturesque marks, and the black and white palette of the fireplace, pinkish-beige oil layers of the main color of the walls and dome were revealed. They set off the picturesque inserts created in the style of red-figure painting, also used in the mastic decor of the fireplace.

On the walls of the Oval Office, decorated with plaster panels and the finest gilded molding in the form of grape branches, traces of the previous colors were minimally preserved, but it was possible to detect the original color scheme of pinkish and beige shades.

The difficulty was presented by the plaster layer, which extended from the brick base almost over the entire surface, and therefore the craftsmen had to carefully strengthen it with injections and “stitch” it along numerous cracks with small clamps. After that, it turned into “art darning”, traces of which, however, are hidden by layers of putty and oil painting.

The walls are pinkish in tone, on the walls there are four panels with medallions made in gouache. The upper parts of the piers are filled with gilded molding, and in the center of each of them there is a picturesque medallion with an allegorical image of one of the four elements - air, water, fire and earth.

The elements are presented in the form female figures, sitting on a coastal rock by the sea with the corresponding symbols: a bird, a jug, optical glass and a sheaf of cereal:

the woman depicted with a bird in her hands represents air;
the one sitting with a jug represents water;
playing with optical glass symbolizes fire;
the one holding the sheaf of cereals signifies the earth.

The vaulted ceiling and cornice are decorated much richer than the walls.

The vault is divided into many different recesses - caissons, filled with picturesque inserts depicting vases, lamps, musical instruments and other objects. Picturesque compositions predominate here - graceful dancing maenads are depicted on the frieze, in the caissons on the vault - musical instruments and antique vases.

The worst preserved elements of the cabinet's decor are the picturesque marks of the dome, painted, like all the monumental decorative paintings of the Agate Rooms, in oil on paper. From the central composition of the dome, only fragmentary fragments remained, which the Restoration Council decided to preserve and return to their historical place, using them as a standard for background tinting colors.

The condition of the picturesque frieze of the cabinet during restoration was considered good. After clearing it, the finest figurative painting in the style of red-figure antique vases was revealed, with virtually no losses. It was established that it belongs to the original period of decoration and has high artistic value, but under the layers of numerous, sometimes craft, records, it was practically impossible to discern its grace and impeccability. At the end of the restoration, all the paintings were pasted into place using the already proven method.

Other marks were in better condition, especially in the lower tier. Of the four pictorial inserts in the round medallions of the walls, one was completely lost, and another was 50% lost. The restorers showed the highest skill in bringing back to life the magnificent painting of the dome and tondo of the Oval Office.

The gilded stucco decoration of the dome and decorative oil painting in the triangular caissons have been preserved satisfactorily - specialists have cleared, strengthened and tinted them.

Under the cornice stretches a frieze depicting dancing figures, executed, like the ceiling inserts, in tempera on paper.

Office walls with two doors and window-doors going out and are perceived as wide partitions, plastered and decorated in the form of panels with double ornamental frames along the edges.

Doors made of rosewood, walnut, mahogany and rosewood by master I. Shpongolts,

Stacked parquet (also from Lansky’s house, as in other offices). During the restoration of the parquet floors, the decayed logs were completely replaced, the parquet boards were repaired, and the elements of the parquet set were strengthened and cleaned.

The Oval Office is decorated with a white marble fireplace with a frieze and multi-colored ceramic blades. The fireplaces in all rooms are different, they correspond to the artistic design of each interior.

fireplace before restoration work begins

The fireplace is decorated with relief images of vases, marble plaques and a frieze made of artificial marble imitating the painting of antique vases. During the restoration, it turned out that some of the drawings, which look pinkish, are actually bright red.

During the restoration of the white marble facing of the fireplace and its decor made of black and red mastic, repeating the designs on antique vases, the architectural profiles in places of chips and gouges were restored, as well as the remaining layers of mastic were cleared and strengthened. By decision of the Restoration Council, the places of loss were filled with background black mastic, slightly different in tone depth from the historical one. The silhouettes of the figures in the fireplace frieze were restored from a surviving pre-war photograph.

The fireplace, after restoration, became a real gem in Cameron's collection of fireplaces in the palace.

fireplace restoration process, July 2013

On the fireplace stood busts of the Roman emperors Augustus and Julius Caesar, made of green jasper, and an antique bust of the philosopher Plato, made of red porphyry.

The furniture of the Agate rooms was given a modest role. This was caused by the architectural features of the premises and corresponded to the purpose of the halls - places of recreation and entertainment in the summer. In the Oval Office there were carved gilded chairs with soft high backs, upholstered in white silk patterned damask and a Bull chest of drawers. They were part of a large set made according to the drawings of Charles Cameron especially for the Agate Rooms. There is also an oval table of inlaid wood.

At the end of the 18th century, paintings hung in the office, which were later removed because they disrupted the holistic perception of the architectural decoration of this room.

The furnishings located in the hall, with a few exceptions, were lost during the Great Patriotic War.

The Oval Office before its latest restoration

Until the furniture was returned to the hall, after restoration it was placed by the window only, on a black marble pedestal.

From the Oval Office the door leads to

Sources:

Kozmyan G.K. Charles Cameron. L., 1987.
Voronov M. G., Khodasevich G. D. Architectural ensemble Cameron in Pushkin. Ed. 2nd. L., 1990.
Tsarskoye Selo. Guide to palaces and parks. St. Petersburg, Aurora Publishing House, 2007, 256 p.
Own information

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Barack Obama examines the iconic American Resolute table

What does the most important office in the country look like? Does the newly elected head of state change the office furniture after his predecessor or do they have to sit at the same table and in the same chair? My interest in the interiors of the presidential apartments awoke a long time ago, back during the scandalous story with Monica and Bill in the Oval Office. The wits then immediately called him “oral.” Since then, I began to collect official and not entirely official information about what and where is in the offices of the presidents different countries... So, in order to have something to compare with the Kremlin offices, which relatively recently received the status of presidential, and previously belonged to the Secretaries General, I will start with the workplace of the US President.

The Oval Office is the official office of the President of the United States.

The President uses the Oval Office as his primary place of work. He typically chooses the Oval Office as the backdrop for televised addresses to the nation and for meetings with foreign leaders. The White House initially (since 1800) had several oval-shaped rooms, but the famous Oval Office appeared in 1909, under President William Taft. The Oval Office ended up in its current location in the southeast corner of the West Wing of the White House as a result of a renovation carried out under Franklin Roosevelt. So, today the President's official office is located in the West Wing of the building (the First Lady's office is in the East Wing of the White House). The Oval Office has 3 large south-facing windows and 4 doors. The eastern one opens onto the Rose Garden, the western one into a small private office and dining room, the northwestern one into the West Wing corridor, and the northeastern one into the office of the President's Secretary. The head of state's desk is in front of the southern (!) windows. On the north side there is a fireplace... I think the space here is organized this way not by chance, but in strict accordance with the principles of orientation of the Masonic temple (the assumption arose when I learned the name of the first architect - Nathan K. Wyeth).

For Obama, the Oval Office was "lightened" as much as possible

In general, it should be noted that oval rooms and “oval salons” were especially popular in the eighteenth century. Some experts believe that the Oval Office in the White House was designed in the image and likeness of one of the chambers at Coole Castle in County Fermanagh (Ireland). At first, the Oval Office was called the Blue Room, since its decor traditionally used two colors - blue and yellow. The architectural features of the Oval Office are inherited from the Baroque and neoclassical traditions, in the minds of Americans they have become a kind of symbols of the power and prestige of the Presidency. Traditionally, immediately after the inauguration, each new US president changes the decor of the Oval Office to suit their personal tastes. Sometimes they choose some new furniture, new drapery or design their own oval-shaped rug. Almost every US president has added his own touch to the Oval Office, but only one piece of furniture has remained untouched for many years - the desk.

The legendary desk from the Oval Office

In the center of the office is the Resolute desk, given to President Ruzeford Hayes by Queen Victoria in 1880. This table is almost a ritual, “cult” thing for Americans. A special point of pride is that this table was created from the wreckage of the British frigate Resolute, which participated in the expedition to search for missing explorers led by John Franklin (an interesting detail is that exactly the same table stands in Buckingham Palace). It seems to me that in general this fits well with American traditions - creating a cult of things and surrounding them with an aura of romanticism. They do it masterfully and with great pleasure. Let's remember, for example, a bottle of Cola, jeans, a T-shirt, a baseball cap... Americans are able to create a cult out of any completely banal thing. In a word, they are great PR people.

Have you already noticed how our president’s desk is different? I will definitely tell you about this next time.

In this regard, a question for the PR people from the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation: when will we hear some sweet, romantic or bright, beautiful, and ultimately memorable legend about the desk at which the third President of Russia is already working???

By the way, next time I will definitely tell you what the fundamental difference between the Russian President’s desktop and the Resolute desk is.

For reference:

The Resolute table has been changed twice throughout the history of its existence. President Franklin Roosevelt ordered front panels for the table (so that his wheelchair would not be visible). After Roosevelt's death, under President Truman, a hinged panel was installed on the table. The panel depicts the bald eagle side of the Great Seal of the United States.

The second modification of the table was made under President Reagan. President Ronald Reagan, having moved to the White House, took his chair from the Capitol (California), but the chair was high enough that the president’s knees rested on the table. As a result, a uniform base was added to the table, which increased the height of the table by two inches.

A table made from the wreckage of the famous frigate... Just think! We also know how to come up with beautiful legends.

The wood is ancient - this table is 130 years old.

The Oval Office during the administration of George HW Bush, who did not want to work at the Resolute desk.

The only times the Resolute table was not used were under Presidents Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. At the request of President George H. W. Bush, the desk was removed from the Oval Office, but under Bill Clinton, the desk was returned to the Oval Office and is still there.

Kennedy Jr. peeks out from under the President's desk

Any American is familiar with historical photographs of presidents at their desks: a photograph of John Kennedy with his son, who looks out from behind the Resolute panel. Or the image of Richard Nixon talking on the phone to the Apollo 11 astronauts after their successful flight. Nowadays, US Presidents address the American people directly from their office only when it is necessary to enhance the effect of the extreme importance of what was said or to emphasize the tragedy of the situation. The young President Kennedy, from his office, presented TV news of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Ronald Reagan addressed the nation after the Space Shuttle crash. George W. Bush spoke on the news on the evening of September 11, 2001. Barack Obama gave a speech about ending the military operation in Iraq.

How the Oval Office has changed with the arrival of Bark Obama

The oval beige carpet with the presidential seal in the center became monotonously beige (in the Bush style, rays radiated from the seal). The rest of the decor is kept in the same neutral tones. The walls are now covered with striped wallpaper - under Bush Jr. the walls were uniform.

Your own version of the Oval Office interior from Scandinavian designers

The chairs, on the contrary, are upholstered in coffee-colored leather instead of striped fabric. On the president's desk there is a bust of Martin Luther King, as well as photographs of his wife and daughters. Stand for writing instruments made of wood British ship Victorian era whose crew became famous for opposing slave traders.

This is interesting

It would also be very appropriate to note that the inauguration of the US President is a source of inspiration for American PR specialists. For example, during the inauguration of Barack Obama, one of the companies presented a replica of the Oval Office, furnished in the taste of Scandinavian designers, in the lobby of the Washington DC train station.

I wonder what the Oval Office would look like, furnished by UNITEX designers?

They have at their disposal 19 unique presidential-class offices, each of which is presented in Russia in a single copy! This is the highest caste of cabinets - presidential suites. Look, is the magnificent table from the Leonardo collection in any way inferior to the decisive Resolute? Or, for example, a chic table from the Almaty collection! For the manufacture of such a tabletop and its inlaid front surfaces, the most valuable material is used - natural sycamore veneer. But the external decor of the surfaces, including the capitals of the solid ash columns, of the presidential furniture from the Tudor collection is made of brass with gilding.

Which of these masterpieces do you think would look most harmonious in the interior of the Oval Office?

Handsome Tudor cabinet

Magnificent table from the Leonardo collection

Table from the Almaty collection

Photos from the sites: ru.wikipedia.org were used as illustrations; kp.ru

Since 1800, the White House has had several oval rooms per president. The one that is still used today did not appear until 1909 under President William Taft. But it acquired its modern appearance as a result of perestroika under Franklin Roosevelt. You might have seen this office if you were a foreign head of state, a White House staffer, or (unlikely) an intrepid person who had been through bureaucratic hell and mistakenly ended up on one of the tour groups that sometimes visit the inner sanctum of American politics.

No one will ever know all the secrets and behind-the-scenes conspiracies that the walls of the Oval Office keep. But there are still a couple of famous interesting facts about the room in which every American president made faces in front of the mirror while no one was looking:

After the inauguration, each new US president changes the design of his office to his liking: choosing new furniture, designing his own oval-shaped carpet and hiring a new secretary. They even have the right to borrow paintings from museums for the duration of their reign. Because after 8 years of presidency, the view of Capitalist Hill can become quite tiring, and the view of immortal works art - never.

President Obama's oval carpet features inspiring quotes from previous US Presidents and Martin Luther King Jr.:

“We have nothing to fear except fear itself.” President Franklin Roosevelt
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Martin Luther King Jr.
“The power of the people, exercised by the people and in the name of the people.” President Abraham Lincoln
“There is no problem of human destinies that is beyond the reach of people.” President John Kennedy
“The well-being of each of us depends fundamentally on our overall well-being.” President Theodore Roosevelt

There is only one element of the Oval Office that remains unchanged for many years- this is a desk.

In 1941, bulletproof glass was installed for the first time in three windows of the Oval Office.

The design on the carpet in the form of an eagle - the presidential seal - has its own symbolic meaning. IN right hand he holds an olive branch and an arrow in the left, and many believe that in times of peace the eagle's head on the carpet is turned towards the olive branch, and in times of war towards the arrows. However, the facts tell a different story: in 1945, President Truman ordered a new design for the official seal and the eagle's head turned toward the olive branch. On the new seal, the eagle began to look at the olives even during the war.

As we have already said, the Oval Office hides many secrets and secrets. And now we are not talking about the meetings of Bill and Monica, which his walls were lucky enough to witness. There is, for example, a legend according to which there is a door in the presidential library that can directly lead out of the White House building.

Today we will take an excursion to the main house of the United States - the White House. The most famous mansion in the world is a fortified command center with 1,700 employees and the home of one of the most powerful men in the world.

The White House has six levels, 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors and 28 fireplaces, and to give its façade white More than 2 thousand liters of Whisper White paint are required. The first occupant of the building at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue was US President John Adams 215 years ago, on November 1, 1800. The construction of the mansion at that time was not yet fully completed and cost 232 thousand 372 dollars.

Let's take a look inside this iconic building...

This is an aerial view of the north side of the White House...

The White House address is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C. It is a mansion made in the style of early classicism, which is characterized by adherence to the strict principles of symmetry and classical architecture Ancient Greece and Rome. The author of the project was the Irish-born architect James Hoban, although the city of Washington itself was built under the leadership of the Frenchman Pierre Charles Lefant. The co-author was the first US President himself. Historians are inclined to believe that the basis was taken from one of the palaces in Dublin - Leinster House - now the seat of parliament. The project was approved, construction began on October 13, 1772. 8 years and $2.5 million later, everything was ready, and the second president and the first lady moved into the house.

The residence did not immediately acquire its famous name. It was called the “House of Presidents”, and the “Presidential Palace”, and the “Presidential Castle”. Officially, the combination “White House” appeared in 1901 under Theodore Roosevelt and became firmly established in everyday use.

However, the White House we see today is very different from the 1800 model. Each visiting president could reconstruct the house as he wished. In 1814, it was completely burned by British troops - nothing remained but the walls. All property was stolen by looters. Later, only a painting by George Washington and some jewelry were returned. James Hoban had to restore the structure, following the original. True, this time the walls were painted white instead of sand color. Then the house began to be called “White”. During the next reconstruction under the direction of T. Jefferson, the eastern and western colonnades were added. In 1824 and 1829, two galleries were added to the house. In 1835, running water and central heating were installed in the White House. The day before Civil War, it became obvious that the house was simply overcrowded with people and a new expansion was needed. This is how the West Wing was completed. In 1901, electrification was carried out. Under W. Taft, the first Oval Office was designed.

The next misfortune befell the White House in 1929, when there was a fire in the West Wing. All rooms on the first and second floors of this wing had to be restored from scratch. When F. Roosevelt became president, the house was forced to be rebuilt anew - it was not suitable for human movement wheelchair. In addition, an indoor heated swimming pool was created so that the president could undergo medical procedures. In 1948, under G. Truman, a two-story basement appeared in the building, which served as the headquarters for the operational management of military actions. He also saved the house from complete destruction when it turned out that the existing wooden supports were completely rotten. After that they were replaced with steel ones.

The White House underwent truly grandiose transformations during the time of J. Kennedy's wife, Jacqueline. For each individual room, she thought out its own interior in the best traditions of the French Empire or the Victorian era, and filled the house with antique furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries. and museum exhibits. The house was constantly replenished with new relics and antiques. Only under R. Nixon's wife, Pat, 600 new ones appeared. Here you can see Martha Washington's sugar bowl, Abigail Adams' silver coffee pot, and Eleanor Roosevelt's dressing table. Despite repeated reconstructions, James Hoban's original design has been preserved.

And this is the internal layout of the West Wing, in which the US President and his staff work. Among the rooms located in the West Wing are...

Today, the White House, together with the surrounding area, occupies an area of about 7.2 hectares, it has 6 floors, 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases and 3 elevators, a tennis court, a golf course, several jogging tracks tracks, swimming pool, bowling alley and cinema. The central part includes living rooms and halls for official receptions. The most beautiful is the Blue Room, which was repainted white through the efforts of Jackie Kennedy and returned to its traditional color only under Hillary Clinton. This is one of three oval-shaped rooms. It is used for receptions or small dinners. Above the Blue Room is the Yellow Oval room. Currently, it is a meeting place for heads of state on the eve of an official dinner. On the ground floor there is a third oval room - the Diplomatic Reception Room, through which you can enter the White House. In this room, the president holds meetings with foreign ambassadors and receives heads of state.

Other famous corners of the White House are the Green Room (a place for tea drinking), the Red Room (a small living room and music room), the China Room (a collection of porcelain collections), the Map Room (which During the war, F. Roosevelt studied maps), etc. Most of the rooms described above, as well as dining rooms, are located on the State Floor. All family rooms - bedrooms and living rooms - are located on the third. The world famous Oval Office is located in the West Wing on the same floor.

... Oval Office ...

Arguably the most famous room in the White House, the Oval Office is the president's primary workspace. The windows are made of bulletproof glass.

...Cabinet Hall...

Here the president holds meetings with ministers. Such meetings are rarely held in the White House. The President always sits in the middle of the table.

... Situation room ...

...Presidential room...

In the past, this room was used as a work place for secretaries or the president. Now the room is used as a dining room.

... the office of the vice president ...

...Roosevelt's office...

... press conference room named after. James Brady ...

...Naval canteen...

... and the Rose Garden.

The West Colonnade is used by White House staff to travel between the West Wing and the official residence.

One of the White House colonnades is copied from the French mansion “Chаteau de Rastignac”.

Slave labor was used during construction. European craftsmen and immigrant workers took part in the work. The ornaments were the work of the Scots, the masonry was the work of the Irish and Italians.

For a long time, the White House remained the most big house America.

While the reconstruction was underway, J. Madison lived in the Octagon House, now the headquarters of the American Institute of Architects, and F. Roosevelt lived in the neighboring Blair House mansion.

5 chefs work in the kitchen around the clock, ready at any time to serve lunch for 140 people and more than 1000 light snacks.

On the eve of the Christmas holidays, the country's main Christmas tree is installed in the White House.

Shown here is the central part of the White House, which contains both the first family's private quarters and rooms for state functions. Among the rooms located in this part of the White House are...

... Blue Hall ...

Used for receptions and dinners with a small number of participants. A Christmas tree is being installed in the Blue Hall.

... and the East Hall, which is used for large events such as concerts, as well as ...

...for state receptions, awards presentations and bill signing ceremonies.

The central part of the White House also houses the private quarters of the US President's family. This photo shows the first family gathered in Treaty Hall to watch the US women's team play at the World Cup Finals.

The enclosed East Colonnade leads along the family theater to the East Wing.

In this photo, Obama speaks before a screening of the film Red Tails, about the Tuskegee Airmen, in the 42-seat White House Theater.

The First Lady's office is also located in the East Wing. For all time, only Hillary Clinton wished to locate her office in the West Wing, where the US President works.

1 Cinema

In addition to watching films, the president rehearses his speeches in this room.

2 North entrance

Official guests come here before receptions. They wait, shifting from foot to foot.

3 Press center

Former swimming pool. Nixon turned it into a press conference room. Probably didn't know how to swim.

4 Rosary

In good weather, journalists gather here. In bad times - bad journalists.

5 Cabinet Room

Regular meetings of all sorts of ministers take place here.

6 Oval Office

Since 1933, it has been the official working office of the president. Yes, that's where Clinton had everything with Monica.

7 Just an office

A room used by many presidents as a personal office. Clinton also met with Monica Lewinsky here.

8 Dining room

The president eats here and watches TV here. Sometimes at the same time, which, by the way, harms digestion.

9 Roosevelt Room

Conference room without windows. Maybe even without our bugs.

10 Advanced Security Center

In 2006, it was equipped with the latest technology, including six flat television screens for video conferencing with the whole world.

11 Office of the Vice President

Residence in section

1 Gym

Was equipped at the request of Bill Clinton. He was such an entertainer...

2 Sun room

The favorite room of many presidential families. Eisenhower often set up a grill on a terrace that was not visible from the outside.

3 Lincoln Bedroom

Lincoln's former office. Nowadays it is a guest bedroom.

4 Hairdresser

Here they put a gloss on the first lady and the president.

5 Kitchen

For private meals. Without all these ceremonies.

6 Yellow Oval Room

For important private receptions. Furnished in the Louis XVI style, whatever that means.

7 East room

A place for afternoon entertainment. The coffins of Kennedy and Lincoln were also displayed here for a solemn farewell to the murdered.

8 Green Room

Used as a living room.

9 Blue Room

Another living room. Used to record TV messages.

10 Red Room

Usually small dinner parties with live music take place here.

11 Dining room

Accommodates 140 people. Used for meetings between the president and ordinary people.

12 Kitchen with pantry

The habitat of five top-class chefs.

13 First aid station

There is always a doctor on duty here with a bunch of necessary equipment for any occasion.

14 Headquarters

During World War II there would have been a command post here. It is now a television interview room.

15 Diplomatic drawing room

By the way, it used to serve as a boiler room.

16 South Terrace

Official photo shoots are often held here. End of the excursion.

17 First Lady's Office

Since 1942, the workroom of most presidential spouses has been located here. Don't knock at night: the door will be open.

18 Bomb shelter

A bunker with tunnels leading to secret exits into the city. In theory, from this underground the president, if anything happens, will lead the remnants of the army.