From the first person. As I went on a trip to the White House

Photo by the author

Going to "guests" to the President of the United States is almost impossible, but please visit the White House gardens.

Even during the time of President Nixon (1972), a tradition arose twice a year - in autumn and spring - to open the White House gardens to visitors.

I went there for 2 years in a row and I want to say that, despite the weather - whether it’s cold or rainy - there are a colossal number of people who want to see the grounds of the presidential residence.

The history of the Gardens began with the first “tenant” of the White House – John Adams, the second President of the United States. He gave instructions to plant a vegetable garden. But this did not happen, because Adams left the office 4 months after he moved to the presidential residence. Then each subsequent president tried to create something of his own on the territory of the White House. Some planted flowers, some planted fruit trees and medicinal herbs, some built greenhouses. Since 1878, there has been a tradition of planting “memorable” trees.

But first lady Michelle Obama completely surpassed everyone: on her initiative, in 2009, a vegetable garden was planted, in which she personally also loved to “dig.” Although the idea of ​​planting a vegetable garden on the grounds of the White House had already been somehow implemented by Eleanor Roosevelt as a means of combating the crisis, this did not prevent Michelle’s vegetable garden from gaining popularity - even, one might say, becoming a national symbol of a healthy lifestyle and the fight against the obesity epidemic in the United States.

First Lady Obama is concerned about the future of her garden. And now the National Park Service has $2,5 million in donations to preserve it—enough for at least 17 years.

In fact, just walking around the territory of the White House is very cool. There is some kind of atmosphere. All around are the same as you: smiling, satisfied and trying to catch successful shots and examine literally every leaf.

And all this is accompanied by live music. When the weather is nice, the orchestra plays right outside, and when it rains it sits on the balcony of the residence. In general - cool.

As my friend said: "This is probably the only place where I was not ashamed to take a selfie." Especially when you're not one of the tourists behind the fence.

Here comes the Rose Garden, which is not only beautiful, but also important. It is here that events such as speeches by the President of the United States, welcoming guests of honor, signing laws, and holding various ceremonies such as Thanksgiving Day take place. Remember turkeys? This is where the President will pardon them.

I read that in this garden President Ronald Reagan signed a law securing the status of an official flower, the symbol of the United States, to a rose. The Rose? Symbol of the USA? I would never have thought, but interesting.

And this path leads to the Oval Office, the walls of which keep many secrets.

On the territory of the White House, besides gardens and a vegetable garden, there are still fountains, a swimming pool, a helipad, a children's play area, and also a golf course.

It's great that there is such a tradition - to open the White House gardens for visitors. I hope it will continue in the future.

Original article published on the site On The Move and reprinted with permission of the author.

Learn about the schedule and conditions of visiting the White House on his the official website. The entrance is free.

If you want to be the author of the column, send your stories to [email protected]

See also:

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