THE WHITE HOUSE
Автор: Абрамова Т.И.
Место работы : ГОУ Гимназия № 426 г. Санкт Петербург
Должность : Учитель английского языка
The White House is
the oldest public
building in the
District of Columbia,
and 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue
is the most famous
address in the US.
George Washington
The first President George Washington picked a patch of land
on the Potomac River and named this land the District of
Columbia, in honor of Christopher Columbus.
Washington decided to
put the Capitol
Building on a hill at
one end of the city,
and the president` s
house on a hill at the
other end.
The first stone was laid on October 13, 1792. It took eight
years to finish enough of the house to make it livable .George
Washington never lived in it. The construction of the House
finished in 1800. It was the largest residential building in the
US.
The first
President to live
in the White
House was John
Adams.
Two years after the
war of 1812 the White
House was set on fire
in attempt to burn it
down by the British
Army.
When the war was
over, the house was
rebuilt and repainted
white to cover the
smoke marks. People
began to call it the
White House.
At various times in history, the White House has been known
as the “President` s Palace”, the “President`s House”, and the
“Executive Mansion”. President Theodore Roosevelt
officially gave the White House its current name in 1901.
President Jefferson
opened the house for
public tours, and it
has remained open,
except during
wartime, ever since.
White House Floor Plan
The first room that you enter on the State Floor is the EAST
ROOM, which is the largest in the White House. It is used for
receptions, ceremonies, press conferences, and other events.
The portrait of George
Washington has hung in
the East Room since
1800. Dolley Madison
saved the painting when
the British burned the
White House in 1814.
It is the only object
known to have remained
in the White House
since 1800.
East Room
The Green Room
The Green Room was
served as Thomas
Jefferson`s dining
room. Now it is
furnished as a parlor
and is used for
receptions. The
walls are covered with
watered green silk of
striped silk damask.
The Green Room
The Green Room has served many purposes since the
White House was first occupied in 1800. This Room
traditionally served as a parlor for small teas and
receptions and on occasion for formal dinners.
THE BLUE ROOM
The Blue Room is
often used by the
President to receive
guests. It is furnished
to represent the
period of James
Monroe, who bought
pieces for the room
from a French
cabinetmaker after
the fire of 1814.
Seven of the French
chairs and one sofa
of the set are in the
room today.
The White House Christmas tree is placed in this room.
THE RED ROOM
The Red Room is
used for small
receptions and it has
long been a favorite
of the First Ladies.
John Adams used this
as a breakfast room
and Rutherford. B.
Hayes took the oath
of office here on
March 3, 1877.
The Red Room on Christmas
The State Dining Room
The State Dining Room
The State Dining
Room can seat 130
guests at dinners and
luncheons. It was
originally much
smaller and served at
various times as
drawing room, office,
and Cabinet Room.
Above the mantel
hangs the portrait of
Abraham Lincoln.
The Oval Office
The Oval Office
Its décor may vary
from one
administration to
another, but the flags
standing behind the
desk remain in their
traditional places: to
the President` s left,
the Presidential flag:
to his right , in the
place of honor, the
flag of the United
States of America.
The Second and the
Third Floors are
used only by the
Presidential family
and guests. Located
here are the Lincoln
Bedroom, the
President` s Office
( used as the Cabinet
Room) and the
Queen` s Bedroom,
named for its royal
visitors.
Opening Hours:
The White House
is open to visitors
from 10 am to 12
noon, Tuesday
through Saturday:
it is closed
Sunday, Monday,
some holidays,
and for official
functions.
Quiz
1) How many years did it take to build the White House?
Answer: 8 years
2) What is the address of the White House?
Answer: Pennsylvania Avenue 1600
3) Who gave the White House its current name?
Answer : Theodore Roosevelt
4) Which Room is the largest?
Answer : East Room
5) Where is the Christmas Tree placed?
Answer : Blue Room
What do remain in their traditional places in the Oval Office?
Answer: Flags - The Presidential Flag and the Flag of the
US.
Источники
http://www.whitehouse.gov
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/history
http://www.elcivics.com/presidents-day.html
http://www.georgewashington.si.edu/portrait/non-flash.html
http://www.solcomhouse.com/whitehouse.html
Газета “English” №12/2007 стр. 32