Sunday, December 11, 2016

Christmas at the White House


Looking out a White House Window
at the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial
East Wing Entrance to
the White House
Visiting the White House during the Christmas season is an experience not to be missed. 

On one of the coldest mornings of the season so far, Chris and I headed into Washington, DC, for our appointment, with eight of our friends, to tour the Christmas decorated White House.

There is something truly special about visiting the White House. It is the "People's House."

Decorations in the East Room
Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington
The White House is decorated festively and each room holds new excitement. The self-guided tour allows for thorough exploration of the decorations and the rooms. The tour enters through the East Wing and winds through the White House coming out through the front entrance. I found security to be efficient and the Secret Service agents to be pleasant but thorough. 

Vermeil Room
The Library, the Vermiel Room, the China Room, the East Room, the Blue Room, the Green Room, the Red Room, and the State Dining Room are all on the tour. The exit is out through the front and we had some great pictures taken in the doorway. Along the tour, however, there are decorations and lots of art to enjoy. The art is fantastic and represents a wide cross section of American art. It is not just portraits, but one of the most famous is that of George Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1796 and hangs in the East Room. This painting was saved by Dolley Madison when the British burned the White House. 

I highly recommend this tour and I thank my good friends who did all of the work to get our group approved and scheduled. Unfortunately, this tour must be requested months in advance and so it can't be done this Christmas, but next Christmas is still possible. 

Leaving the White House
One Last Look

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

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