As most of us have never had the chance actually visit The White House, we may have all wondered what it looks like, what goes on there, and a little history about it.
Interested in this information ourselves, LifeDaily did their research and compiled a list of 7 Cool Things You Never Knew About The White House:
Derry Moore/AP
Numerous rooms
As you can imagine, there are many rooms at the White House, but did you know there are 132 rooms to be exact? This consists of 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels of residence- 2 levels being private floors strictly for the First Family. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators. Image shown above is the Queens’ Bedroom, shown in 2008 in Architectural Digest.
Tons of food
As the First Family is always hosting guests for dinner at the White House, it only seems fitting they have five chefs on hand to help them prepare their meals. At any given time, the chefs can prepare dinner for up to 140 people, as well as serve appetizers to at least 1,000 visitors.
Presidential pets
The First Family wouldn’t be complete without a Presidential Pet. Usually dogs like Bo Obama or Barney Bush call the White House their home, and even birds may sometimes reside there, as did Thomas Jeffersons mockingbird. Legend has it that his mockingbird was allowed to freely fly around the White House residence, unless of course the First Family was expecting guests over for dinner.
Different atmospheres
Who the current President is has a major impact on the overall atmosphere, mood and vibe at the White House. When Andrew Jackson was elected for President, he had a party at the White House where his supporters broke things and tracked mud all over the furniture and floor. James Polk’s wife was different however, and refused to allow anyone to dance, drink or even play cards on the premises.
Christmas at the White House
Christmas at the White House is very special, and it follows a different theme each year. The theme is set by the First Lady and her staff- a tradition Jacqueline Kennedy started. First Lady Kennedy chose a nutcracker suite theme, a theme that was repeated in later years by First Ladies such as Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton. Each family brings their own traditions to the White House Christmas and modify existing traditions to suit their own tastes. A cool thing is that the public is allowed to visit and see all of the White House Christmas festivities.
The Rose Garden
The Rose Garden might be the most beautiful and tranquil area on the White House grounds. This iconic garden was established by Woodrow Wilson’s wife Ellen in 1913. President John F. Kennedy later hired Rachel Lambert Mellon to oversee the design of the Rose Garden, which to this day holds the same layout. The Rose Garden is responsible for holding important press conferences, speeches and declarations. President Obama is even said to ponder his strategies and occasionally catch a smoke in the garden.
The White House Calendar
The White House Calendar is one of the most common forms of regular correspondence used by the White House, in which the President and Vice President’s schedules are displayed. This calendar is an officially released document by the White House staff, and is available for the public to view on the White House’s website. This calendar serves as a tool to provide some transparency in the process of governance, allowing us to see how our tax dollars are being spent. Next time you are wondering what the President or Vice President is doing, you can check there.
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[Featured Image Credit: seen on UAnews.org by Teddy Yoshida]
7 Cool Things You Never Knew About The White House is a post from: LifeDaily