"President Donald Trump's decision to build a big ballroom where the East Wing once stood has significantly altered the visitor experience at the White House. Tourists enter through a different door now, and the tour is shorter because there are fewer historic rooms to see. But some people who took the self-guided tour on Wednesday were just happy to glimpse the White House all decked out in its Christmas glory by first lady Melania Trump."
"Tours resumed Tuesday after being suspended in September because of the ballroom construction, including October's leveling of the East Wing. "I'm glad they started it up again," Kevin Heins, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, said about the tours. He and his wife visited the White House, and he said a highlight of the tour was the Red Room, which has been decorated with more than 10,000 blue butterflies."
"Other visitors commented on how quickly they were able to finish the tour, which has been limited to just the State Floor, which includes the East Room; the Green, Blue and Red Rooms; the State Dining Room; the Cross Hall; and the Grand Foyer. "The tour was significantly longer last year," said Amiah Henry, a student at Sulphur High School in Sulphur, Louisiana."
A new ballroom replacing the East Wing has changed the White House visitor experience, prompting demolition and staff relocation. Public tours were suspended in September and resumed with a different entrance and a shortened route. Tours are limited to the State Floor: East Room; Green, Blue and Red Rooms; State Dining Room; Cross Hall; and Grand Foyer. The Red Room is decorated with more than 10,000 blue butterflies symbolizing transformation and tied to the Fostering the Future initiative of First Lady Melania Trump. Ground Floor rooms like the China and Vermeil Rooms remain closed and are used temporarily by displaced staff.
Read at Fortune
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