So this happened last Sunday! Every year the White House opens the South lawn to the public for a Spring or Fall Garden Tour. Having never been beyond the fence of the White House, I must say, it was ridiculously cool to be up so close.
The timing was perfect too, as my parents, sister and nephew were visiting for a long weekend to celebrate Nia’s Birthday!
It was amazing to get up so close to such a historic landmark.
Take this, for example, which is where the President comes out for formal State functions on the lawn (like the Pope’s visit).
I’m sure you’ve seen this on TV as well – it’s the Rose Garden where the President makes addresses to the nation. The oval office is directly behind it. Cool, huh?
And here are some things you may not have seen before. Like the President’s putting green,
Sasha and Malia’s playground,
and Michelle’s White House Kitchen Garden that was planted in 2009. The food that is grown in it is used to feed the first family and also for State functions. The remaining third of the harvest is donated to a local charity.
Here are some other fun facts about the White House:
- The site for the house was selected by George Washington in 1791.
- John Adams was the first to occupy it in 1800.
- The British set fire to the White House during in 1814 during the War of 1812.
- James Monroe moved into the new White House in 1817.
- It is the oldest continually maintained landscape in the United States.
- The South Portico was constructed in 1824.
- Rutherford B Hayes started the Easter tradition of children rolling eggs on the South Lawn in 1878. The event is still going and draws 30,000 guests each year.
- In 1902, Theodore Roosevelt began a major renovation of the White House and added the Tennis Court. Harry Truman also did a renovation in 1952.
- The putting green was installed by Dwight Eisenhower in 1954.
- In 1957, Dwight Eisenhower was the first President to use a helicopter and land it on the South lawn.
- The outdoor pool was added in 1975 by Gerald Ford.
- George Bush installed the Basketball Court in 1991, in addition to the horseshoe pits he installed 2 years earlier.
- Barack Obama added the swingset in 2009 for his two daughters.
- Every President since John Adams has occupied the White House.
Source: Garden Tour Booklet, https://www.whitehouse.gov/about/inside-white-house%20
How fun!