The large Entrance Hall and Cross Hall formed part of
James Hoban's original plans for the White House. The basic design has
not been altered, although modifications have been made during various
renovations. During the 19th century two principal stairways led to the
second floor. The broad staircase at the west end of the Cross Hall was
removed in 1902 to increase the size of the State
Dining Room. At the same time, the remaining stairway, opening into
the Cross Hall, was enlarged. During the 1948-52 renovation, this
stairway was repositioned to open into the Entrance Hall.
The Cross Hall, with marble walls and floors added during the Truman
renovation, is lighted by two Adam-style cut-glass chandeliers made in
London about 1775. The bronze light standards date from the Roosevelt
renovation of 1902 as does the design of the decorative plaster ceiling.
Other Presidential portraits hang at the east end of the Cross Hall:Lyndon Johnson by
Elizabeth Shoumatoff,
Gerald Ford by Everett
Raymond Kinstler, and
Jimmy Carter by Herbert E. Abrams. A portrait of
President Franklin D. Roosevelt painted by Frank O. Salisbury hangs at
the west end of the hall.
The Entrance Hall is seen by visitors as they leave the
White House. It is set off from the Cross Hall by a
colonnade and is decorated in the same style. Its furnishings include a
French pier table purchased by Monroe
in 1817 and a pair of French settees with carved mahogany swans' heads.
A suite of early 19th-century Italian gilded furniture in the Empire
style was placed in the halls in 1973.
Herbert E. Abrams' portrait of
George Bush hangs
in the Entrance hall as does Aaron Shikler's portrait of
John F. Kennedy.
The Grand Staircase is often used on ceremonial occasions.
Before state dinners, the President greets his guests of honor in the
Yellow Oval Room; then they descend the stairs to the East Room where the other guests
are gathered. Along the stairway hang portraits of 20th century Presidents,
including
Harry S. Truman by Greta Kempton,
Dwight D. Eisenhower by J. Anthony Wills,
Richard Nixon
also by J. Anthony Wills,
Herbert Hoover by Elmer W. Greene, and Warren Harding by F. Luis
Mora; a portrait of Mrs.
William
Howard Taft by Bror Kronstrand is also in the stairway. Above the American
pier table on the landing is F. Graham Cootes' painting of Woodrow Wilson. An English
cut-glass chandelier from about 1810 to 1815 lights the stairway at
the first landing.
The Center and Cross Halls also serve as the visitors' exit for the White
House Tour. Here visitors exit the main doors of the North Entrance to the
White House.