The Map Room

The Map Room now serves as a private meeting room for the President or the First Lady.

History: The Map Room was used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a situation room from which to follow the course of World War II.

Vermeil Room

The White House Vermeil Room is painted a shade of yellow to complement a collection of vermeil (gilded silver). It serves as a display room and, for formal occasions, as a ladies sitting room.

Lincoln Bedroom

The Lincoln Bedroom has Victorian furnishings from Lincoln's time, and the bed is thought to have been purchased by Lincoln. The room is now used as a guest bedroom for friends of the President.

History: During the Civil War Lincoln used the room to chart progress of the Union Army. He would hang maps and strategies for anticipated battles on the walls.

Library

The White House Library has a collection of 2700 books written by American authors or about American history.

History: The Library was official created in 1935, and in 1961 a committee was appointed to select works representative of a full spectrum of American thought and tradition.

China Room

The China Room displays a collection of White House china from several different presidents, and it was designated by Mrs. Woodrow Wilson in 1917 to display the growing collection of White House china.

History: Almost every past President is represented in the China Room either by state or family china or glassware. The collection is arranged chronologically, beginning to the right of the fireplace. Even the earliest Presidents received government funds to purchase state china. However, as new presidents came into the White House, they would sometimes remove old China and have it sold at auction so as to make room for their china.