President's Park
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Location	District of Columbia, USA
Nearest city	Washington, D.C.
Coordinates	38°53′42″N 77°2′12″W / 38.895, -77.03667
Area	18.07 acres (73,130 m²)
Established	July 16, 1790
Total visitation	1,333,967 (in 2004)
Governing body	National Park Service

President's Park, located in Washington, D.C., includes the White House, a visitor center, Lafayette Park, and the Ellipse. President's Park was the original name of Lafayette Park and Square. The current President's Park is administered by the National Park Service. The World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ... A Natural Monument is a natural/cultural feature which is of outstanding or unique value because of its inherent rarity, representative of aesthetic qualities or cultural significance. ... Image File history File links Red_pog. ... Image File history File links US_Locator_Blank. ... For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ... is the 197th day of the year (198th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1790 (MDCCXC) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ... For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ... The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ...

White House

The White House north facade.

Main article: White House

The White House Complex is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. It includes: Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ... The White House Complex showing location of the West Wing, Rose Garden, West Colonnade, Executive Residence, East Colonnade, Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, and East Wing. ... Pennsylvania Avenue street sign, 2004. ...

• The White House Executive Residence, official residence of the President of the United States. The residence is open to the public for reserved tours. Requests for tour reservations must be submitted through one's Member of Congress and are accepted one to six months in advance.
• The West Wing, office of the President and staff. The West Wing is closed to the public.
• The East Wing, office space for the First Lady, White House Social Secretary, and other staff. The East Wing is closed to the public.
• The White House Gardens including the South Lawn, Rose Garden, Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, and North Lawn. The gardens are open to public tours seasonally by advance appointment through an individual's senator or member of congress.

White House Ground Floor showing location of principal rooms. ... For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... Congress in Joint Session. ... The West Wing (in foreground) The West Wing is the part of the White House Complex in which the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, and the Situation Room are located. ... The East Wing is the part of the White House Complex. ... First Lady Laura Bush and former first ladies (from left to right) Rosalynn Carter, Sen. ... The White House Social Secretary is responsible for the planning, coördination and execution of official social events at the White House, the official residence and principle workplace of the President of the United States. ... The tulips are in full bloom in the Rose Garden at the White House, April 20, 2005. ... Spring in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. ...

White House Visitor Center

Aerial view of Department of Commerce Building and the East Wing

The White House Visitor Center is located in the north end of the Department of Commerce Building between 14th & 15th Streets on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. The visitor center serves as a starting point for those going on a reserved tour of the White House. The various exhibits also provide an alternate visitor experience for those who did not schedule a tour. The themes of the six permanent exhibits include First Families, Symbols & Images, White House Architecture, White House Interiors, Working White House, and Ceremonies and Celebrations. A variety of other exhibits change frequently during the year. Aerial view of U.S. Commerce Deartment building This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Aerial view of U.S. Commerce Deartment building This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... The United States Department of Commerce is a Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. ... A visitor center is a place where visitors to a location can get information on the areas attractions, lodging, maps, and other items relevant to tourism. ...

Lafayette Park

Lafayette Park is a 7 acre (30,000 m²) public park located directly north of the White House on H Street between 15th and 17th Streets, NW. The park and the surrounding structures were designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1970. Planned as part of the pleasure grounds surrounding the Executive Mansion, this park was originally called "President's Park," which is now the name of the larger National Park Service unit. The H Street Corridor is a commercial district in Northeast Washington, D.C. It was one of Washingtons earliest and busiest commercial districts, but after World War II, the neighborhood went into decline. ... This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ...

The Ellipse, early 1900s

The park was separated from the White House grounds in 1804 when President Thomas Jefferson had Pennsylvania Avenue cut through. In 1824, the park was officially renamed in honor of General Lafayette of France. Image File history File links Ellipse-1900s. ... Thomas Jefferson (13 April 1743 N.S.–4 July 1826) was the third President of the United States (1801–09), the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776), and one of the most influential Founding Fathers for his promotion of the ideals of Republicanism in the United States. ... Marie-Joseph-Paul-Roch-Yves-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette (September 6, 1757 – May 20, 1834), was a French aristocrat most famous for his participation in the American Revolutionary War and early French Revolution. ...

Lafayette Park has been used as a race track, a graveyard, a zoo, a slave market, an encampment for soldiers during the War of 1812, and many political protests and celebrations. Andrew Jackson Downing landscaped Lafayette Park in 1851 in the picturesque style. Today's plan, with its five large statues, dates from the 1930s. In the center stands Clark Mills' equestrian statue of President Andrew Jackson, erected in 1853; in the four corners are statues of Revolutionary War heroes: France's General Marquis Gilbert de Lafayette and Major General Comte Jean de Rochambeau; Poland's General Thaddeus Kosciuszko; Prussia's Major General Baron Frederich Wilhelm von Steuben. A race track (or racetrack), is a purpose-built facility for the conducting of races. ... Graves at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York A cemetery is a place (usually an enclosed area of land) in which dead bodies are buried. ... Giraffes in Sydneys Taronga Zoo A zoological garden, zoological park, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures and displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about the U.S. – U.K. war. ... Andrew Jackson Downing (born October 31, 1815 - died July 28, 1852) was an American landscape designer and writer from Newburgh, New York and the editor and publisher of The Horticulturist magazine. ... Clark Mills (1810-83) was an American sculptor born in Onondaga County, New York. ... For other uses, see Andrew Jackson (disambiguation). ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau (July 1, 1725 – May 10, 1807), French soldier, was born at Vendôme (Loir-et-Cher). ... Tadeusz Kościuszko. ... Baron von Steuben Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus Steuben, Baron von Steuben (November 15, 1730-November 28, 1794) was a German army officer who served with George Washington in the American Revolutionary War and is credited with teaching American troops the essentials of military drill and discipline. ...

The Ellipse (President's Park South)

President's Park South, commonly called the Ellipse, is a 52 acre (210,000 m²) park located just south of the White House fence. Properly, the Ellipse is the name of the 5 furlong (1 km) circumference street within the park. The entire park is open to the public.

Features

Boy Scout Memorial in President's Park

• Visitor pavilion. Location of visitor facilities and staffed by park rangers and NPS volunteers.
• Boy Scout Memorial
• Charles Bulfinch Gatehouses
• Butt–Millet Memorial Fountain
• Enid Haupt Fountains
• First Division Monument
• Second Division Memorial
• Original Patentees of District of Columbia
• National Christmas Tree
• Zero Milestone

Annual events on the Ellipse include the Christmas Pageant of Peace, the "Twilight Tattoo" military pageant, and the graduation ceremony for George Washington University. It is also the queueing location for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll and the White House garden tours. Under the auspices of the National Park Service, the Capital Alumni Network and a number of neighborhood and military sports leagues play softball and flag football games on the grounds of the Ellipse. A number of Ultimate frisbee competitions are also held by various groups throughout the warmer months. Image File history File links Boy_Scout_Memorial. ... Image File history File links Boy_Scout_Memorial. ... It has been suggested that some sections of this article be split into a new article entitled National Park Ranger (United States). ... The Massachusetts State House, designed by Charles Bulfinch and completed in 1798. ... Lieutenant Archibald Butt in 1909. ... Francis Davis Millet Francis Davis Millet (name sometimes given as Francis David Millet; November 3, 1846 - April 15, 1912) was an American painter and writer and one of those who died in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. ... The 1st Infantry Division of the United States Army —nicknamed “The Big Red One” after its shoulder patch—is the oldest continuously serving division in the United States Army. ... The 2nd Infantry Division (Heavy) is a formation of the United States Army. ... National Christmas Tree (December 2, 2004) The National Christmas Tree is a 40-foot (12 m) Colorado blue spruce from York, Pennsylvania, planted on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. on October 20, 1978. ... Zero Milestone, 1923 The Zero Milestone is a monument in Washington, D.C. intended as the initial milestone from which all road distances in the United States should be reckoned. ... The George Washington University (GW), is a private, coeducational university located in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The school was founded in 1821 as The Columbian College in the District of Columbia by Baptist ministers using funds bequeathed by George Washington. ... Egg roll at the White House lawn, 1929 Egg rolling, or an Easter egg roll is a traditional game with Easter eggs. ... The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ... The Capital Alumni Network (CAN) was founded in 1997[1] as an association of alumni chapters and clubs serving the Greater Metropolitan Washington, DC area. ... Ultimate Frisbee is a competitive non-contact team sport played with a Frisbee or similar flying disc most commonly weighing 175 g. ...

Of interest to mathematics teachers, students, engineers, and landscape architects is the likelihood that the Ellipse is the world's largest ellipse. Here are some measurements:

• Major axis: 1,058.26 feet
• Minor axis: 902.85 feet
• Area: 751,071.67 square feet (more than 16 acres)
• Perimeter: 3,086.86 feet

The Meridian Stone, located near the center of the Ellipse, slightly under the surface, commemorates President Thomas Jefferson's idea of an American prime meridian. Remarkably precise measurements for the little brass hole at the top the granite Meridian Stone are as follows:

• Latitude: 38° 53' 38.17002" North of the Equator
• Longitude: 77° 02' 11.55845" West of Greenwich Meridian
• Elevation: 5.205 meters above sea level

History

In 1791, the first plan for the park was drawn up by Pierre Charles L'Enfant. The Ellipse was known as "the White Lot" due to the whitewashed wooden fence that enclosed the park. Pierre (Peter) Charles LEnfant LEnfants plan for Washington, as revised by Andrew Ellicott Pierre (Peter) Charles LEnfant (2 August 1754, Paris, France – 14 June 1825, Prince Georges County, Maryland) was a French-born American architect and urban planner. ...

During the American Civil War, the grounds of the Ellipse and incomplete Washington Monument were used as corrals for horses, mules, and cattle, also camp sites for Union Troops. Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... The Washington Monument at dusk For other Washington Monuments, see Washington Monuments (world). ...

Work on the Ellipse was begun by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1867. The park was landscaped in 1879, and American Elms were planted around the existing portion of roadway. In 1880, grading was begun and the Ellipse was created from what had been a common dump. In 1894, the Ellipse roadway was lit with electric lamps. The USACE gold castle insignia, worn by officers of the Corps The United States Army Corps of Engineers, or USACE, is made up of some 34,600 civilian and 650 military men and women. ... Binomial name Ulmus americana L. The American Elm Ulmus americana is a species of elm native to eastern North America, occurring from Nova Scotia west to southeast Saskatchewan, and south to Florida and central Texas. ...

In the 1890s, Congress authorized the use of the Ellipse grounds to special groups including religious meetings and military encampments. As late as 1990 baseball fields and tennis courts existed in the park. Today sporting events as well as demonstrations are still held on the Ellipse. President's Park South came under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service in 1933. The baseball diamond of the San Diego Padres PETCO Park, seen from the stands. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Main article: National Christmas Tree

On Christmas Eve, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge started an unbroken tradition by lighting the first "National Christmas Tree." The first tree, a cut balsam fir, was placed on the Ellipse by District of Columbia Public Schools. From 1924 to 1953 live trees, in various locations around and on the White House grounds, were lit on Christmas Eve. In 1954 the ceremony returned to the Ellipse and with an expanded focus: the "Christmas Pageant of Peace." From 1954 through 1972 cut trees were used, but in 1973 a Colorado blue spruce from York, Pennsylvania was planted on the Ellipse. The current tree is a replacement, planted in 1978. National Christmas Tree (December 2, 2004) The National Christmas Tree is a 40-foot (12 m) Colorado blue spruce from York, Pennsylvania, planted on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. on October 20, 1978. ... A Christmas tree from 1900. ... Binomial name Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. ... Binomial name Picea pungens Engelm. ... Nickname: Coordinates: , Country United States State Pennsylvania County York Incorporated  - Borough September 24, 1787  - City January 11, 1887 Government  - Mayor John Brenner Area  - City  5. ...

In 1942, during World War II, the National Park Service granted permission for the construction of barracks as a special emergency war-time measure. The temporary barracks were erected on the south side of the Old Executive Office Building and the entire First Division Monument grounds. The "White House Barracks" were demolished in 1954. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... President William Howard Tafts prized Holstein cow, Pauline Wayne, poses in front of the Navy Building, which is known today as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. ...

The Ellipse Visitor Pavilion was opened for visitors in May 1994. This facility is used to distribute free tickets for special events at the White House such as the Easter Egg Roll and Fall and Spring Garden Tours. There also is an information window, concession area, restrooms, telephones, water fountains, and First Aid area, all accessible.

Egg roll, 1929

Download high resolution version (864x633, 99 KB)Source: Library of Congress TITLE: Easter egg rolling at the White House today (April 1, 1929) National Photo Company Collection. ... Download high resolution version (864x633, 99 KB)Source: Library of Congress TITLE: Easter egg rolling at the White House today (April 1, 1929) National Photo Company Collection. ...

Administrative history

Transferred on August 10, 1933, to the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, the legal successor of three Federal Commissioners appointed by the President under an act of July 16, 1790, who directed initial construction. Their authority developed through acts of May 1, 1802; April 19, 1816; March 3, 1849; March 2, 1867; July 1, 1898; February 26, 1925; March 3, 1933; and Executive Order of June 10, 1933. Under act of September 22, 1961, "the White House. . .shall be administered pursuant to the act of August 25, 1916" and supplementary and amendatory acts. This NPS area was originally referred to simply as "The White House." is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 197th day of the year (198th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1790 (MDCCXC) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... --69. ... April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). ... 1816 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... is the 62nd day of the year (63rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Cunt BAg Twat Fuk suck my penis ring 0778851865!!!!!!Year 1867 (MDCCCLXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 57th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 62nd day of the year (63rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 161st day of the year (162nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 265th day of the year (266th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 237th day of the year (238th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1916 (MCMXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ...

Reference

• The National Parks: Index 2001-2003. Washington: U.S. Department of the Interior.

The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is a Cabinet department of the United States government that manages and conserves most federally owned land. ...

External links

• National Park Service: President's Park
• Maps and aerial photos for 38°53′45″N 77°02′12″W / 38.8959, -77.0366Coordinates: 38°53′45″N 77°02′12″W / 38.8959, -77.0366
  • Maps from WikiMapia, Google Maps, Live Search Maps, Yahoo! Maps, or MapQuest
  • Topographic maps from TopoZone or TerraServer-USA

• The White House

• White House Historical Association

• The Shape and History of The Ellipse in Washington, D.C. by Clark Kimberling

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President's park