On television and other media, the White House that is often shown is centered around the Residence, but the interior footage is frequently of the East Room. This room serves as the backdrop for various national events, ranging from glamorous parties to solemn bill signing ceremonies. This is the East Room, the heart of the White House. Let’s take a look at an overview of the Residence and the East Room.
The White House is one of the most famous buildings in the world, attracting millions of tourists every year. However,...
Astounding Ceiling Height
The White House consists of the Residence, West Wing, and East Wing. It has four above-ground floors and two basement levels. The State Floor (first floor) of the Residence is referred to as the “National Floor” because it hosts a variety of national events, such as meetings with foreign dignitaries, bill signings, and press conferences.
The State Floor of the Residence is elevated above ground level, so when viewed from the south, even though it is on the first floor, it stands at the same height as the second floor of the West Wing and the East Wing. Upon climbing the stairs and arriving at the State Floor, one is immediately struck by the astounding height of the ceilings. The 18-foot ceilings easily exceed 5 meters when converted to the metric system.
The construction of the White House began during the time of the first President, George Washington. However, at that time, Washington, D.C. was not yet the capital, so President Washington and his wife, Martha, never lived in the White House. The first President to reside in the White House was the second President, John Adams.
The Room Known as the “East Room” – The Face of the White House
Ascending the staircase in the Center Hall of the Residence’s ground floor and heading east leads to the East Room. The East Room is truly the face of the White House, where various national events take place, including meetings with foreign dignitaries, bill signings, and press conferences.
It is also utilized as the “Banquet Room” for larger gatherings and sometimes transforms into a splendid party venue, but in day-to-day settings, it is sparsely furnished. Visitors from the social world enter through the East Wing, complete their procedures at the wood-paneled entrance, and are then led to the Library and the Vermeil Room on the ground floor of the Residence, before ascending the stairs to the East Room.
Applying for a Tour is Best
In the past, it was relatively easy to visit the White House, but after terrorist incidents, the security measures have become stricter. The White House, with its magnificent architecture reflecting Greek influences, is impressive from the outside alone. However, if you have the opportunity, why not marvel at the luxurious and ornate interior and the astonishing ceiling height? While the Japanese Embassy does not accept tour requests for the White House, it is still best to participate in a tour arranged through your federal congressional representative.
