Private Tour of the Capitol Building
The White House has long been called the “People’s House,” and we have always hoped to tour its public areas. Rich contacted Senator Josh Hawley (R‑MO) and requested a pass to visit the White House.
His aide, Chrystal Lee, graciously arranged for Rich and Carol, Greg, and friends to tour the White House on January 20, 2025. Due to the construction of the new White House Ballroom, the tour was significantly curtailed, and many of the rooms formerly included on the route were not accessible.
We entered and exited through the Grand Staircase area and saw the following rooms on the State Floor:
East Room:
The largest room in the White House; used for ceremonies, press events, and receptions.
Green Room:
Traditionally used as a parlor; decorated in green fabrics and furnishings.
Blue Room:
An oval room facing the South Lawn; often where the official Christmas tree stands.
Red Room:
A smaller parlor in red tones; used for receptions and small gatherings.
State Dining Room:
A large dining space used for official dinners; often one of the final major rooms on the tour.
As we exited, we saw the cranes and dump trucks at work on the new White House Ballroom.
It truly is a house fitting for the Chief Executive of the United States, and we were grateful to have toured it.
His aide, Chrystal Lee, graciously arranged for Rich and Carol, Greg, and friends to tour the White House on January 20, 2025. Due to the construction of the new White House Ballroom, the tour was significantly curtailed, and many of the rooms formerly included on the route were not accessible.
We entered and exited through the Grand Staircase area and saw the following rooms on the State Floor:
East Room:
The largest room in the White House; used for ceremonies, press events, and receptions.
Green Room:
Traditionally used as a parlor; decorated in green fabrics and furnishings.
Blue Room:
An oval room facing the South Lawn; often where the official Christmas tree stands.
Red Room:
A smaller parlor in red tones; used for receptions and small gatherings.
State Dining Room:
A large dining space used for official dinners; often one of the final major rooms on the tour.
As we exited, we saw the cranes and dump trucks at work on the new White House Ballroom.
It truly is a house fitting for the Chief Executive of the United States, and we were grateful to have toured it.
