The DC Traveler

The 2008 National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC will be lit this evening, Thursday, December 4, 2008, at 5:00 p.m.  It is the last time the tree will be lit by President and First Lady Bush.  Next Christmas, President Obama will have the honors.
Tickets went fast for the event, but the grounds will be open to public 24-hours through January 1, 2009.
Besides the National Christmas Tree, visit the Pathway of Peace, with decorated Christmas trees from each of the states and U.S. territories, along with the National Yuletide Log.
The grounds are illuminated each evening from dusk until 11:00 p.m.  …read more

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Lafayette Park, directly north of the White House, was originally part of a larger “President’s Park,” which makes up much of the grounds surrounding the White House. It was until 1804, originally part of the White House grounds, but when President Thomas Jefferson ordered that Pennsylvania Avenue be connected between 15th and 17th Streets, the plot of land was cut off from White House grounds.
Twenty years later, the 7-acre President’s Park was renamed Lafayette Park, after the French General who participated in the Revolutionary War.  He was one of the six foreigners that were ever granted Honorary Citizenship of the …read more

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It’s time for the children’s event at the South Lawn of the White House. The Annual White House Easter Egg Roll is a tradition dating back to 1878.
Kids of all ages get to to hunt for Easter eggs and listen to stories.  The Easter Bunny is even going to make a visit. 
While at the White House Visitor getting your tickets, check out the 2008 State Easter egg display.  Artists from around the U.S. States decorate eggs representing their state. Check out some of this year’s eggs.
Annual White House Easter Egg RollTickets – White House Visitor Center 1450 …read more

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As yet another sign of Spring, the annual White House Spring Garden Tour is just around the corner.
 
The tour will commence at Sherman Park located between E. Executive Drive and 15th Street, NW near E Street, just to the south of the Department of the Treasury building.
For some additional information on the White House gardens and their history check out my post from the Fall tour.
 
White House Spring Garden Tours
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
 
Dates and Times – Saturday, April 21st 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 22nd Noon – 4:00 p.m.
 
Tickets – A free time …read more

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Photo Location: The 1600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue at W. Executive Avenue in front of the Old Executive Office Building Washington DC.
Several government agencies that make up the Executive Office of the President work in the building, including the Office of the Vice President, the National Security Council and the Office of Management and Budget.
The closed street, which is now a pedestrian mall in front of the building, is also used for pick-up street hockey games.
 

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Going back to the days of George Washington when the south lawn of the White House was purchased from a local tobacco farmer, it’s had a history of beautiful gardens.  President John Adams was the first to have flowers planted in the White House gardens; while President Rutherford B. Hayes was the first to have commemorative tree planted marking the nation’s centennial in 1876.  Woodrow Wilson’s wife planted the first rose garden in the west garden, which is the location of today’s famous White House Rose Garden. 
During President Kennedy’s term, he had the Rose Garden, located just steps from the …read more

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