Green Room (White House)
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| Green Room (White House) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Green Room |
| Caption | The Green Room following the 2010 redecoration. |
| Location | White House, Washington, D.C. |
| Building type | State parlor |
| Architect | James Hoban |
| Style | Federal architecture |
| Owner | White House Historical Association |
Green Room (White House). The Green Room is one of three state parlors on the State Floor of the Executive Residence of the White House. Located between the Blue Room and the East Room, it traditionally serves as a parlor for small receptions and as a venue for post-dinner gatherings. The room's name derives from the green silk fabrics first used in its decoration during the presidency of James Monroe.
History
The room's location has been part of the White House since its original construction by architect James Hoban following the Burning of Washington. Early uses were varied, serving as a "Lodging Room" for Thomas Jefferson and later as a antebellum dining room for James Madison and James Monroe. Its identity as a formal parlor solidified under Monroe, who, with the assistance of French architect and upholsterer Pierre-Antoine Bellangé, furnished the space in the Empire style with green draperies. Subsequent renovations occurred under nearly every administration, with significant contributions from first ladies like Lou Henry Hoover, who initiated historic restoration efforts, and Jacqueline Kennedy, whose Fine Arts Committee for the White House guided a major refurbishment in the 1960s. The Committee for the Preservation of the White House has overseen periodic redecoration projects, including comprehensive updates in 1971, 1995, and 2007 under the auspices of the White House Historical Association.
Design and furnishings
The room is a prime example of American Empire style, heavily influenced by the early 19th-century Neoclassicism championed in France and popular during the Federal period. Its most consistent feature is the use of green silk moiré on the walls, a tradition maintained through multiple redecorations. Key antique furnishings include a circa 1810 New York sofa and armchairs attributed to the workshop of Michel Bouvier, and a pair of Baltimore-made Gueridon tables from the Monroe administration. The mantelpiece, a Carrara marble replacement installed after the War of 1812, is adorned with ormolu mounts. Artwork typically includes 19th-century American pieces, such as portraits by Gilbert Stuart and landscapes from the Hudson River School, curated to reflect the room's historical period.
Notable events and uses
The room has been the setting for numerous historic gatherings and ceremonies. President Monroe signed the Declaration of War against Great Britain in the room in 1812. It has hosted small diplomatic receptions, teas, and intimate concerts for visiting dignitaries, including performances for the King of Spain and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Several presidents have used it for private meetings, and it is a favored location for broadcast interviews, such as those conducted by Walter Cronkite and Barbara Walters. Notably, the daughters of President Theodore Roosevelt, Alice Roosevelt Longworth and Ethel Roosevelt Derby, were married in ceremonies held within the Green Room. It also served as the viewing room for the Lincoln catafalque of President Lincoln before his state funeral.
Cultural significance
As a meticulously preserved period room, the Green Room embodies the evolution of American decorative arts and presidential history. It functions as a living museum, showcasing the work of early American craftsmen and the collecting tastes of the First Families. Its image is widely disseminated through official White House photography, public tours, and features in media like National Geographic and documentaries on C-SPAN. The room's aesthetic, particularly its association with the Federal era, has influenced interior design trends and public perception of historical style. It remains a vital space for the ceremonial and social diplomacy of the President of the United States, representing continuity and tradition within the Executive Office of the President.