White House tours resume just in time for Christmas, with new changes in place

WASHINGTON (AP) The ongoing construction of a new, expansive ballroom where the East Wing once stood has transformed the way visitors experience the White House. Entry is now through a different door, and the tour is shorter due to the reduced number of historic rooms accessible to the public.

Despite these changes, visitors who explored the self-guided tour on Wednesday were delighted to see the White House decorated for Christmas by First Lady Melania Trump. Tours resumed on Tuesday after being paused in September to allow for the ballroom construction, which included the East Wings demolition in October.

Im happy they reopened the tours, said Kevin Heins from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He and his wife enjoyed visiting the White House, particularly the Red Room, adorned with more than 10,000 blue butterflies. These butterflies, symbolizing transformation, honor young people supported through the First Ladys Fostering the Future initiative, part of her Be Best program launched during the Trump administration.

Susan Bare from Kannapolis, North Carolina, also appreciated the butterflies, which reminded her of her late son who had planted a butterfly bush before his untimely passing. My Christmas tree has butterflies on it, she shared.

Some visitors noted how quickly the tour could be completed now, as it is limited to the State Floor, including the East Room, Green, Blue, and Red Rooms, the State Dining Room, Cross Hall, and Grand Foyer.

The tour was much longer last year, commented Amiah Henry, a student from Sulphur, Louisiana. Its been significantly shortened. Rooms on the ground floor, like the China and Vermeil Rooms, remain closed to the public due to construction. Additionally, displaced staff are temporarily using some of these spaces as offices.

Its a noticeable change. The East Wing had a lot of charm, and I loved that part of the tour, said Henry, as construction noise echoed in the background. Im disappointed I couldnt see it today, but theres nothing I can do.

Heins, now retired after careers in law enforcement and the military, expressed optimism about the new ballroom. The tour may be shorter now, but eventually, the expanded ballroom will be beneficial. Itll reduce the need for outdoor tents during events, he said. Our country deserves a proper space to host events at the White House.

Author: Logan Reeves