White House Area, Washington

The White House is the official residence of the President of the United States. It has been the home of every president except George Washington.It was originally built by James Hoban in 1792, and after being burned down by British forces in 1814 was rebuilt in 1818. On the guided tours (tickets issued free of charge from 8 a.m. at the kiosk on the Ellipse; long lines) visitors do not see a great deal of the interior - a few small room in period styles, the East, Blue, Green and Red Rooms, the Ballroom, the State Dining Room and the entrance hall: the rooms where government policy is made, such as the Oval Office, are not open to the public.

The Organization of American States is found in the Pan American Union Building, built in 1910. The building is a mixture of architectural styles representing the diversity of membership countries in the organization. There is a tropical patio, the Hall of the Americas with flags and sculpture, an art gallery and the Aztec Garden.Behind the O.A.S. is the Art Museum of the Americas with contemporary Latin American art.

The Ellipse, also known as the President's Park South, is a 54-acre stretch of lawn bordered by 15th and 17th Streets and Constitution Avenue. In the past, The Ellipse has served as a military campground, a corral for mules, horses and cattle and the site of an open sewer. It was developed in 1880 by the Army Corps of Engineers and now hosts summer concerts by the U.S. Army Band.

The National City Christian Church congregation in Washington was established in 1843 and the meeting house that still stands today was constructed in 1930. The building's neoclassical exterior was built using Indiana limestone. Each Sunday services include Gospel, Hispanic and Traditional as well as a Children's Ministry.

A $110 million restoration project on the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel was finished at the end of the 1990's. It features Italian marble, ornate carved millwork and gold leaf ceilings. There are 660 rooms here and the Grand Ballroom has been the site of inaugural balls since the presidency of Calvin Coolidge.

The U.S. Department of Treasury is housed in the 1833 Greek Revival building found next door to the White House. It takes up an entire city block and is decorated elaborately with golden eagles, balustrades a two-story marble Cash Room.

One of the best know squares in Washington, Lafayette square overlooks the White House and contains numerous statues including those of Andrew Jackson, Lafayette and Prussian Hero Baron von Steuben.

One of the most striking old government buildings in Washington, the Old Executive Building was erected in 1871-88 to house the State Department and the Army and Navy Departments. It is now occupied by White House offices.

Long View Gallery opened in 2006 with a focus on promoting local and regional artists. There are temporary monthly exhibits as well as a permanent collection.