State Dining Room

The State Dining Room is used for formal dinners when the President and First Lady are hosting Heads of State. It is one of the two main dining areas, and can hold up to 140 people.

History:
Carved into the mantel below a portrait of President Lincoln is an inscription from a letter written by John Adams on his second night in the White House:
I pray Heaven to Bestow the Best of Blessings on THIS HOUSE and on All that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but honest and Wise Men ever rule under this roof.

East Room

The East Room of the White House is the largest room and is used for entertaining, and large parties and receptions are held there.

History: During the Civil War years and the administration of Abraham Lincoln there was much activity in the East Room. At one time during the war Union troops occupied the room.

During the Ford Administration, Ford's daughter, Susan, held her senior prom in the East Room.