President's Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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President's Park
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The President’s Park includes Lafayette Square (lower right foreground), The White House and related grounds (center), and The Ellipse (upper center left)
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 Location in Central Washington, D.C.
Location in the District of Columbia
Location in the United States
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| Location | District of Columbia, US |
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| Area | 77.48 acres (313,536 m²) |
| Built | 1791 |
| Architect | L'Enfant, Pierre C.; Downing, A.J. |
| Visitation | 1,333,967 (2004) |
| Website | President's Park (White House) |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000347 |
| Added to NRHP | May 6, 1980 |
President's Park is a special area in Washington, D.C.. It includes the famous White House, where the President of the United States lives and works. This park also has other important buildings and open spaces.
Some of the places in President's Park are the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the Treasury Building, and the White House Visitor Center. It also features two large public parks: Lafayette Square and The Ellipse. The National Park Service takes care of President's Park.
Contents
The White House and Nearby Buildings
The city of Washington, D.C. became the capital of the United States in 1790. President George Washington was in charge of getting the city ready for the government. There were contests to design the United States Capitol building and the President's House.
James Hoban won the contest for the President's House design. He oversaw its construction. Later, the building grew to include the West Wing and East Wing. These parts now hold the President's office and staff. The White House grounds have beautiful gardens like the Rose Garden and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden.
Next to the White House, you'll find other important buildings. To the west is the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. To the east is the Treasury Building, where important financial work happens.
Lafayette Square: A Historic Park
Lafayette Square is a public park just north of the White House. It covers almost 7 acres. The park is surrounded by historic buildings and streets. It was originally part of the White House grounds.
In 1804, President Thomas Jefferson separated the park from the White House. He had Pennsylvania Avenue built between them. In 1824, the park was named after the Marquis de Lafayette. He was a French military officer who helped America in the American Revolutionary War.
Lafayette Square has a long and interesting history. It has been used for many things, like a racetrack and even a zoo. Soldiers camped there during the War of 1812. Today, it's a popular spot for protests and celebrations. In 1851, Andrew Jackson Downing designed the park's beautiful landscape.
The Ellipse: South of the White House
The Ellipse is a large park south of the White House. It is about 52 acres in size. The name "The Ellipse" actually refers to the circular street within the park. The entire park is open to everyone.
Many monuments are located in The Ellipse. It also hosts several annual events. People in D.C. often say they are "on the Ellipse" when they are on the main field.
The park was first planned in 1791 by Pierre Charles L'Enfant. During the American Civil War (1861–1865), the Ellipse was used for military purposes. It held horses, mules, and cattle, and served as a camp for Union soldiers. The United States Army Corps of Engineers started landscaping the Ellipse in 1867. They worked on it until the late 1880s.
White House Visitor Center
The White House Visitor Center is a place where you can learn about the White House. It is located in the Herbert C. Hoover Building. This building is near The Ellipse.
Since a major event in 2001, the visitor center no longer starts tours of the White House. However, it has many exhibits for people who can't take a tour. These exhibits teach you about the First Families and the White House's history. You can also learn about its architecture, interiors, and how it functions. There are also exhibits about ceremonies and celebrations held there. Other exhibits change throughout the year.
See also
In Spanish: Parque del Presidente para niños
