State Floor diagram (click to enlarge)

Unlike the Ground Floor, all of the rooms on the State Floor of the White House are used on a regular basis.

EAST ROOM

The East Room is the largest room in the White House. It is used for receptions, ceremonies, performances, and press conferences. Elvis performed here, and the daughters of five Presidents were married here. The Civil Rights Act was signed by Lyndon Johnson in this room, and the bodies of both Lincoln and Kennedy lay in state here.

The portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart is the only item that has been in the White House since it was first used as the home of President John Adams in 1800. When the White House was burned during the War of 1812, Dolly Madison, wife of President James Madison, removed the painting just before the British arrived.

East Room

Portrait of George Washington in the East Room

GREEN ROOM

Named for its green decor, the Green Room was used by Thomas Jefferson as his dining room. Today it is used for small receptions. It was decorated by Jacqueline Kennedy in 1962 when she spearheaded an interior renovation of the White House.

Most of the furniture in the room dates to around 1810. You can find a coffee urn owned by John and Abigail Adams and the candlesticks of James and Dolly Madison. The portrait of Benjamin Franklin is the oldest in the White House, having been painted in 1767 by David Martin when Franklin was in London. Franklin was allergic to the powder used in wigs, so this painting is rare in that he is wearing a wig.

Benjamin Franklin portrait in the Green Room

Green Room

John and Abigail Adams’ coffee urn and candlesticks of James and Dolly Madison

BLUE ROOM

The Blue Room is where the President often receives guests, I assume because when entering the White House from Pennsylvania Avenue that this is the room you come to if you keep walking straight ahead. When you get to the Entrance Hall just before finishing the tour, you will see the Presidential Seal above the door.

National Park Planner’s Steve Markos and daughter Sasha at the Blue Room entrance

James Monroe purchased the furniture in the room to replace what was destroyed in the 1814 fire set by the British when they burned many buildings in Washington during the War of 1812. These pieces include the seven chairs and one sofa on display. The Hannibal Clock on the mantel was purchased in 1817.

Chairs purchased by James Monroe

Sofa purchased by James Monroe

Chairs purchased by James Monroe

Hannibal Clock

President Grover Cleveland married Frances Folsom in the Blue Room, making him the only president to be married in the White House. This is also the room used for the White House Christmas tree. The chandelier has to be removed each year to make room for the tree.

RED ROOM

The Red Room is another room popular for receptions, most often for those given by First Ladies. It was used as a breakfast room by John Adams, as well as a music room. Rutherford Hayes was inaugurated here. The furniture dates to the early 1800s.

Red Room

Furniture in the Red Room

STATE DINING ROOM

As you might have guessed, official state dinners are held in the State Dining Room, which can seat up to 140 people. However, the room was not always this large. It wasn’t until 1902 that a wall was torn down to make the room bigger, and most of the furniture you see dates to this time as well. Prior to that, a section of the room was used by Thomas Jefferson as his office.

The portrait of Abraham Lincoln that hangs over the fireplace was painted after his death by G.P.A. Healy. It was donated to the White House in 1939 by Mary Harlan Lincoln, the widow of the President’s oldest son, Robert Lincoln.

State Dining Room

State Dining Room

OLD FAMILY DINING ROOM

Prior to 1961, the Old Family Dining Room is where most meals for the President and his family were served. The dining room has since been moved to private quarters upstairs. Today the room is used for small events. It was recently redecorated by Michelle Obama and was only added to the White House tour in 2015.

Old Family Dining Room

ENTRANCE HALL AND CROSS HALLWAY

Guests entering the White House on the north side from Pennsylvania Avenue first set foot in this grand hall. It is large enough that receptions are often held here. The hall has a marble floor and portraits of recent presidents hang on the wall.

Portrait of Bill Clinton hangs in the Entrance Hall

Just beyond the Entrance Hall is the Cross Hallway where you will find doors to the Green, Blue, and Red Rooms.

Cross Hallway

Portraits of Lyndon Johnson and Jimmy Carter hang in the Cross Hallway

For the purpose of the tour, the Entrance Hall is the Exit Hall for guests. When leaving the White House, follow the sidewalk around to Pennsylvania Avenue. You are now on the north side of the White House.

Entrance to the White House

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