lesson 9 White House The USA Chief Executive Mansion, White House, stands on a knoll on the Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington overlooking the Potomac River. The cornerstone was laid in 1792 and in 1800 it was initially completed. Since the second President John Adams first moved into the house, all the US presidents have lived and worked there. However, in 1814, when the English was at war with America, the White House was set on fire by the British army. Only its enclosing wall survived but stained with scorch marks. It took three years to hide the White House renovated and be available for use.In order to hide the scars of war, the burnt wall was covered with many layers of white paint, hence the name White House was given. It was President Theodore Roosevelt who officially named it first in 1902.
The White House is an 18-acre-estate, yet the major of the ground is filled with lawns, gardens, tennis courts, outdoor swimming pools, bowling alleys, game rooms, movie theaters, horseshoe pits and other subsidiary facilities. The 26-meter highs 3-floored main section consisting of 132 rooms is mot quite spacious. In the west are the magnificent State Dining Room and the bright and commodious East Room which is the place for balls and art performances. The other three smaller rooms are resplendent in their decorations. Each of them has its distinctive features and has its name matching the colors of the wall, ceilings, carpets, and the like in it. The Blue Room in the middle is an oval office used officially for receiving heads of state and foreign diplomats. The Red Room in the west characterized in the US style in early 19th century, is a family parlor, and the Green Room is used as an all-purpose parlor for playing cards and chess or having a chat. The second floor is president family’s private living quarters, and on the third floor are offices of president’s secretaries’ store rooms and service center.
President’s office complex is in the west wing. In addition to the Cabinet Room, The Diplomat Reception Room, the Treaty Room, etc., the most important one is the Oval Office, the heartland for president to formulate policies and make decisions. Just outside the Oval Office is the charming Rose blooming with flowers and plants, where state dinners and ceremonial events are sometimes held. In the East Wing, are offices of First Ladies’ and wording staffs. The Kennedy Garden lying outside of those offices is for press conferences and tea parties. The well-known South Lawn is often used for arrival ceremonies in honor of visiting heads of state.