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White House - Tours
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1489970
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White House - Tours
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Sheila R. Weidenfeld Files (Ford Administration)
Sheila Weidenfeld's General Subject Files
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White House (Washington, D.C.)
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The original documents are located in Box 46, folder "White House - Tours" of the Sheila
Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
white House
Tours
guide
George Stangler
Book - 299-7507
new Settlers (for newcomers guide to wash)
Changes or impact of Mrs. Ford on White House (tour area)
Her influence can be seen in the style of flower arrangements,
which are more open, more informal.
Can see the influence she has had on entertaining -- usually
after a State or official occasion such as a State dinner
you will see exhibited a model of the tables and decorations
used ---- She prefers round tables, often uses handicrafts &
fruits for table decor
The President and Mrs. Ford have arranged for extended visiting
hours (tours) during Bicentennial:
Visiting hours on Saturday extended until 2:00 p.m.
(Presently open til 2 during June, July & Aug.
White House will stay open beyond 12: noon Tuesday
through Friday whenever official schedule in the
afternoon permits.
1
Visitors waiting area being established by the
mercli
National Park Service on the Ellipse.
Mrs. Ford will sponsor an increased number of
garden tours to make grounds more generally available.
one weekend each month (Sat & Sun) beginning with
April thru Oct.
If the subject comes up -
openness - President ocasionally
goes Mr. out F. often h great be visitns. seen waving
to visitors from baloony.
GERALD R. FORD LIBRARY
Continuey. tradition .D first Lady u acquisition
I historical pieces for WH
Digitized from Box 46 of the Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
white Home Tour
A OF
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The Assistant Secretary for Tourism
Washington, D.C. 20230
STATES OF
File
September 24, 1975
Mrs. Sheila Rabb Weidenfeld
Press Secretary to Mrs. Ford
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Sheila:
You may be interested to know that as a result of our
correspondence last month I will be speaking to the White
House Tour Guides from 1:30-3:00 on the afternoon of
October 1. Plans for this gathering have been coordinated
with Mike Farrell, Craig Ash, and I have also talked recently
with Clem Conger. I plan to talk with the guides about the
profiles of the foreign and domestic tourists who come to
visit Washington and the White House and also to stress with
this the need for as much human interest in their presen-
tations as possible, specifically making reference to the
present First Family and to Mrs. Ford's involvement in the
management and functioning of the White House.
If you know of any antidotes, favorite stories or
whatever regarding Mrs. Ford which might be appropriate
as illustrative material, I would appreciate hearing from
you. Also, if you have any suggestions for sources on
the background of first ladies that would be helpful to
me (I understand from Clem that a new book on the subject
is being published later in the fall), I would appreciate
knowing of such information.
Finally, if Mrs. Ford is in the White House on that
afternoon and not already scheduled, it might be a nice
touch if she were to come down at the end of the meeting
and share some of her personal ideas on how the guides can
convey to the tourists the best possible view of our First
Family.
BERALD R. FORD LIBRARY
AMERICAN REVOLUTION WENTENING
1776-1976
- 2 -
I will hope to hear from you soon. Meanwhile, best
regards as ever.
Sincerely,
BERALD R. FORD LIBRARY
Room 1858
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
SPECIAL
Assistant Secretary of Commerce
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20230
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300
SERVICE
1975 SEP 26 PM I 21
Mrs. Sheila Rabb Weidenfeld
Press Secretary to Mrs. Ford
RECEP. AND SECURITY UNIT
The White House
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Washington, D. C. 20500
AMERICAN REVOLUTION WENTENNING
18
1776-1976
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 7, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
RON NESSEN
ATTENTION:
LARRY SPEAKES
FROM:
MIKE FARRELL my
SUBJECT:
White House Visiting Hours
during the Bicentennial
At the request of the President and Mrs. Ford the White House
visiting hours during 1976 will be expanded in accordance with
the schedule outlined below to accommodate the increased
number of visitors expected in our Nation's Capital during
the Bicentennial.
1. Saturdays
The visiting hours on Saturday will be extended
until 2:00 p.m. beginning Saturday, March 27, 1976
through Saturday, October 2, 1976. (Presently the
White House is open until 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays
during June, July and August).
2. Tuesdays through Fridays
Beginning March 30, 1976 through October 1, 1976,
the White House will stay open beyond 12 noon Tuesday
through Friday whenever the official schedule in the
afternoon permits. A visitors waiting area is being
established by the. National Park Service during that
time on the Ellipse. This will allow visitors to be
more comfortably accommodated while they wait
to tour the White House. The closing time each day
will be posted at the White House gates and at the
visitors waiting area on the Ellipse. We expect that
2
our closing time on most days will be 1:00/1:30 p.m.
BEFORE
FORD
(Special Note: These hours should take carë of
everyone who wishes to see the White House as
LIBRARY
the present practice of admitting everyone in line
by closing time will be continued, thereby avoiding
closing the gate to anyone who has been waiting).
Continued.
MEMORANDUM
Page Two
July 7, 1975
3. Garden Tours
Mrs. Ford will sponsor an increased number of
garden tours to make the grounds more generally
available. The White House gardens and grounds
will be open to the public one weekend each month
(Saturday and Sunday afternoon), beginning with
April and continuing through October. Specific
dates and times will be announced later.
Thank you.
cc: f.y.i. Jim Connor
FORD 2. SERVIC LIBRARY
Max Friedersdorf
Ted Marrs
Jack Marsh
Sheila Weidenfeld
W.H. Tours
Fil
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 3, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL WHITE HOUSE/OEOB STAFF
FROM:
MIKE FARRELL
SUBJECT:
White House Visitors MA Waiting Area, Ellipse
Trial Program
October 7, 1975 - November 1, 1975
To better accommodate visitors to the White House during our Bicentennial,
a Visitors Waiting Area is being established on the Ellipse in cooperation
with the National Park Service.
To determine the best approach for next spring and summer, there will be
a trial period October 7 through November 1 of this year. Note: The visit-
ing hours during this trial program will remain the same, 10:00 a.m. until
12 noon, Tuesday through Saturday. There will be no change in procedures
for the early morning special tour. However, whenever we are unable to
accommodate your guests on the special tour, we hope you will encourage
them to take advantage of this tour which is not by reservation.
The following information should be helpful to visitors during the trial
program:
1. Kindly direct visitors to the Ellipse, south of the White
House, not to the East Gate.
R.
FORD
2. Ticket booths will open at 8:00 a.m. each day, Tuesday
through Saturday, and will remain open until 12 noon. Visitors
may obtain tickets the morning of the tour only.
LIBRARY
3. Each visitor will be issued a ticket specifying the time of
the tour. Visitors may then leave the park, visit other
attractions, and return at the indicated time. They may also
choose to view the entertainment program (9:30 a.m. to 12 noon).
Bleachers will be available.
N
White Hanse
Spung tam + fall
It is a special pleasure for our family to
welcome you to the White House, which is owned
and cherished by all Americans. It has been the
living symbol of America and the home of the First
Families since 1800.
May the unique history and treasures of our
heritage here be the source of an enjoyable visit
which you can rekindle through the memento of this
book.
with our warm wishes,
BEFORE R. FORD LIBRARY
It is a special pleasure for our family to
welcome you to the White House, which is owned
and cherished by all Americans. It has been the
living symbol of America and the home of the First
Families since 1800.
May the unique history and treasures of our
heritage here be the source of an enjoyable visit
which you can rekindle through the memento of this
book.
with our warm wishes,
R. FORD LIBRARY
It is a special pleasure for our family to
welcome you to the White House, which is owned
and cherished by all Americans. It has been the
Living symbol of America and the home of the First
Families since 1800.
May the unique history and treasures of our
heritage here be the source 06 an enjoyable visit
which you can rekindle through the memento of this
book.
with our were wishes,
BERNID R FORD LIBRARY
It is a special pleasure for our family to
welcome you to the White House, which is amed
and cherished by all Americans. It has been the
living symbol of America and the home of the First
Families since 1800.
May the unique history and treasures of our
heritage here be the source of an enjoyable visit
which you can rekindle through the menento of this
book.
with our Ide/ue wishes,
File - Special
W.H. lown
vinor was
January 16, 1976
Dear Cherry:
Thank you so much for sending me
the information on your proposal for the
"Welcome to Washington," program.
I have sent a copy to Mike Farrell,
who is Director of the White House Visitor's
Office. He would be the appropriate person
to contact should the National Capital Parks
Service act favorably on it. I would suggest
you give him a call as soon as you have some
word.
I hope everything works out well.
Sincerely,
Sheila Rabb Weidenfeld
Press Secretary to Mrs. Ford
Ms. Cherry Adler
Library Theatre
6805 Florida Street
Washington, D.C. 20015
GENALD R. FORD LIBRARY
SRW/fp
CC: Mike Farrell
LIBRARY THEATRE
OFFICE : 6805 FLORIDA STREET
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20015
(301) 656 6264
December 23, 1975
A NON-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO INTRODUCING CHILDREN TO LITERATURE THROUGH THE ARTS
Ms. Sheila Weidenfeld
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sheila:
I am enclosing two proposals for musicales for
children who will be visiting Washington, D.C. during
the Bicentennial celebration, a segment of each of which
involves President or Mrs. Ford.
Should the National Capital Parks Service act
favorably on these proposals, I would very much like to
discuss with you the implementation of the White House
segment of the proposals.
Best personal regards from Leon and me.
Cordially,
Cherry
Cherry Adler
CA:cf
Encl.
GERMIT R. FORD LIBRARY
PROPOSAL "D"
for the
BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION FOR VISITORS TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
of the
NATIONAL CAPITAL PARKS SERVICE
"WELCOME TO WASHINGTON"
Library Theatre will present an original musicale for
children, "Welcome to Washington", created especially for
young visitors to Washington, D.C. during the Bicentennial
year celebration. The theme of the musicale will be "a
child's tour of Washington", and the presentation will include
song, music and dance in a full scale production, including
sets, costumes, etc.
The presentation will conclude with a taped "welcome
message" from the President and/or Mrs. Ford, if approval
is forthcoming from the White House. The program will be
about twenty minutes in length and will be performed at
appropriate intervals from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
The above presentation will rehearse for three weeks
and be presented from July 4 to Labor Day, 1976, at a cost
of $39,500.
Library Theatre suggests that the National Capital
Parks Service develop a "Children's Guide to Washington",
to be distributed at the conclusion of each performance.
AMERICA BERALD = FORD
PROPOSAL "E"
for the
ELIPSE PROGRAM FOR VISITORS TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
of the
NATIONAL CAPITAL PARKS SERVICE
"WELCOME TO THE WHITE HOUSE"
Library Theatre will present an original ten munite child-
ren's musicale, "Welcome to the White House", for young
visitors to the White House during the Bicentennial year
celebration. It will be presented on the Elipse. The theme
of the musicale will be the "mystery and intrigue" of each
of the rooms visited in the White House when they once again
come alive in dramatic incidents.
"Welcome to the White House" will be presented at
appropriate intervals during those times when the White
FORD LIBRARY
House is open to visitors. The production will be
full scale, including scenery, costumes, etc. A one minute
taped message from the President and/or Mrs. Ford would be
a most effective and human way of welcoming young children
to the national landmark of the White House. Such a message
will be included in the presentation if approval is forthcomin
from the President's office.
"Welcome to the White House" will be presented at
appropriate intervals during those times when the White
House is open to visitors.
The above presentation will rehearse for three weeks and
will be presented from July 4 to Labor Day, 1976, at a cost
of $37,200.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 16, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL WHITE HOUSE/OEOB STAFF
FROM:
MIKE FARRELL rmy
SUBJECT:
July 4, 1976 Fireworks Display
The President and Mrs. Ford have asked that the South Lawn be
open for you and your families to enjoy the 4th of July fireworks
display. We will begin admitting White House and OEOB pass
holders through the Southwest Gate at 8:15 p.m. The fireworks
are expected to be exceptionally good, and it is anticipated they
will begin at about 9:00 p.m.
Thank you.
BERALD R. FORD LIBRARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 26, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL WHITE HOUSE/OEOB STAFF
FROM:
SUBJECT:
White House Visiting my Hours
MIKE FARRELL
Saturday, July 3, 1976
Monday, July 5, 1976
Garden Tours
Saturday, July 17, 1976
Sunday, July 18, 1976
To accommodate visitors who will be in the Washington area the
4th of July weekend, President and Mrs. Ford have asked that the
White House visiting hours on Saturday, July 3, 1976 be extended
until 5:00 p.m. In addition, the White House will be open on
Monday, July 5, 1976 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A limited
number of reservations are available for the early conducted tour
on July 5. The White House will be closed for all tours on
Wednesday, July 7, 1976.
For future planning, the July garden tours will be held on Saturday,
July 17, 1976 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on Sunday, July 18,
1976 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. As in the past, White House and
OEOB pass holders and their guests will be admitted through the
Appointment Gate on East Executive Avenue.
Thank you.
BERALD R. FORD LIBRA-Y
THE WHITE HOUSE
Is Rons
6/21
WASHINGTON
we
June 18, 1976
office headling? ?
MEMORANDUM FOR:
RON
FROM:
MIKE NESSEN FARRELL MA
SUBJECT:
White House Visiting Hours
Saturday, July 3, 1976'
Monday, July 5, 1976
I would very much appreciate your issuing a press release in order
to provide the following information:
To accommodate visitors who will be in the Washington
area the 4th of July weekend, the President and Mrs. Ford
have asked that the White House visiting hours on Saturday,
July 3, 1976 be extended until 5:00 p.m. In addition, the
White House will be open on Monday, July 5, 1976 from
10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
The special Bicentennial Visitors Waiting Area program
will be in operation on the Ellipse south of the White House
both days. People who wish to tour the White House should
go to the booths in that area to secure tickets for a definite
time. The ticket booths will open at 8:00 a.m.
Thank you.
cc: Sheila Weidenfeld
GERALE R. FORD LIBRARY
For immediate release
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1976
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary to Mrs. Ford
To better accomodate visitors to the White House during the Bicentennial,
the President and Mrs. Ford have asked that a number of changes
be made in White House tour procedures.
These changes include:
- the extension of regular visitors hours.
- opening the grounds and gardens of the White House on a number
of weekends throughout the year.
-establishing a waiting area on the Ellipse so that visitors will be
comfortable while awaiting their tours. This also allows a system
of ticketing so that visitors can better utilize their time until the
hour of their tour.
Details of the changes:
From Tuesday, March 16 - - Saturday, Oct. 23, a Visitors Waiting Area
will be established on the Ellipse in cooperation with the National Park
Service. During this period, visitors should proceed to the Ellipse south
of the White House. not the East Gate. Tickets for the White House
tours will be issued at the Ellipse from 8a. m. -12 noon Tuesday through
Friday, and 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday. Once tickets are obtained,
visitors are free to do as they like until the time of their tour. Bleachers
are available, and there will be entertainment most days. Visitors will
be escorted from the Ellipse to the White House at the appointed time.
Tickets are available on the day of the tour only. The Ellipse system
was tried on a temporary basis last fall and found successful.
Visitors hours will be extended an hour during the week and two hours
on Saturdays. Hours between March 16 and Oct. 23 will be 10 a. m.
1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a. m. till 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
In addition, the President and Mrs. Ford have asked that the grounds
and gardens of the White House be open one weekend a month from
April through October. Dates will be announced.
In addition, to accomodate weekend trav elers, the White House will
remain open on three Monday holidays (it is normally closed on Mondays).
These Mondays are: Memorial Day (May 31), Labor Day (Sept. 6) and
Columbus Day (Oct. 11). Hours on those days will be 10-1 p.m. Ticket
booths will be open 8 a.m. till 12 noon.
FORD R. GENALD LIBRARY
####
Some items in this folder were not digitized because it contains copyrighted
materials. Please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for access to
these materials.
on
DEOLMDLA
AJIT
Tours
S15 BILLION
U.S.News
TAX CUT
&WORLD REPORT®
COMING?
THE UNITED STATES NEWS@
WORLD REPORT@
Betty
Ford's
Folksy
White
House
THE
NEW PROGRESS AGAINST PAIN
Interview With a Leading Medical Authority
TAI AUN
ornamenting Christmas trees, handcraft-
Betty
ed wooden toys and handmade wooden
baskets filled with nuts or gumdrops.
The tree ornaments were made by
elderly people and women of Appa-
Ford's
lachia. The toys-to be given to under-
privileged children-were donated by a
Pennsylvania toymaker.
Parties in the Christmas-decked
Folksy
White House before the Fords' depar-
ture for the President's annual skiing
trip to Vail, Colo., were aglow with
warmth and liveliness. This was- strik-
White
ingly evident at one of the biggest and
cheeriest social events in recent Wash-
ington history-a gala Christmas ball on
December 17 for members of Congress,
House
with a guest list that totaled more than
900. It was a get-together that largely
dispensed with protocol and ignored
political divisions.
"Warm and genial." Many of the
"Happy, free and open."
guests were old friends made during the
That's what the First Lady
President's quarter century of service in
Congress. For them, it was a happy
wants the Executive Mansion
reunion. As one guest put it, "It was
to be-and she's doing her
warm and genial-like a party in a
private house, not a formal function in
best to make it that way.
an official residence."
Since her recovery from the cancer
operation she underwent on September
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT glowing in the
28, Mrs. Ford has done much to enliven
The First Lady, shown before the White
this year reflects the
entertainment at the White House. For
House Christmas tree, has brought a re-
life style of the President and First
one thing, people who hadn't been
laxed feeling to home of U.S. Presidents.
Lady-friendly, relaxed and low-keyed.
invited to the Mansion in years are
The Fords have brought to the Execu-
showing up at the South Portico.
tive Mansion a new informality-to
One of the First Lady's innovations:
which Betty Ford has contributed her
An unmarried guest may now be accom-
own brand of flair and elegance.
panied by someone of his or her own
Despite health problems-a cancer
choice. That's how Barbara Howar, once
operation in September and a recur-
a White House "regular" during the LBJ
rence in mid-December of the os-
era, and Lee Radziwill, sister of former
teoarthritis which has been a problem
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis,
for years-Mrs. Ford has given the social
happened to be among those present at
side of the White House a special am-
a recent state dinner.
biance. It is described as blending
In the Ford White House, the wel-
warmth and easy hospitality with the
come mat is out for old foes. Thus,
traditional dignity of the home of Amer-
Supreme Court Justice William O.
ica's Presidents.
Douglas, whose impeachment Mr. Ford
And it is in keeping with what Mrs.
sought when he was Republican Leader
Ford told columnist Betty Beale about
of the House of Representatives, was a
the White House just before Richard
guest at a party honoring Austria's Chan-
Nixon's resignation catapulted her hus-
cellor Bruno Kreisky.
band into the Presidency:
The Ford guest list. The informal
"If I go there, I'm going to make it
touch shows up even at official black-tie
fun. I couldn't stand to live there unless
dinners, where guest lists are no longer
it were happy, free and open. Because
top-heavy with names of big financial
we are that kind of people and we're not
contributors to political campaigns.
going to change."
Nancy Lammerding, Mrs. Ford's social
Staff members and guests alike agree
secretary,şexplains:
that the Ford White House is "happy,
"Both the President and Mrs. Ford
free and open"-and marked by many
think of the White House as America's
distinctive touches.
house. They want to bring to it all
Christmas handcrafts. Yuletide dec-
segments of American society."
orations, for instance, are characteristic
As a result, actors and athletes, schol-
of the Ford family's adherence to the
ars and scientists, singers and dancers
The President and Mrs. Ford, ready to
idea of an old-fashioned Christmas. Fea-
are rubbing elbows at White House
greet old friends, make their entrance at
tured in the decorations are American
social events with businessmen and
Christmas ball for members of Congress.
handcrafts, such as 550 patchwork balls
(continued on page 14)
12
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, Dec. 30, 1974
The Chatter's Back at the Most times, Visitesited SUNDAY, UNDAY, JANUARY Home 25, 1975 in the World
By FREDERICK PLATT
moody predominantly dark blue and
AMIE EISENHOWER, then First
green, it was printed in 1834 by Zuber &
that include one submitted anonymous-
M
Lady, was visiting a: famous
Co. of France and brought to the White
ly by Thoma Jefferson, President
House in from-a-Maryland res-
Washington thought the accepted design
American mansion open to the
public when the manager of
idence about to. be demotished This
bland, but after delays In the prog-
the attraction announced: "This house
chamber was formerly the White House
ess of the Great Columbian Federal
is toured by 50,000 people a year."
boiler room. All the rooms on view in
City, he was happy to finally have any-
the basement have been reclaimed from
thing at all to approve. The building
Later, to friends, Mrs. Eisenhower
such ignominious earlier uses! The visi-
was set ablaze by British troops in 1814,
laughed, 50,000 people! We get that
tors who now flock through the con-
but it was soon rebuilt; to hide the dis-
many through the White-House every
day before lunch.
necting hallways would at the end of
coloration caused by the flames the
Well,"not quite, but the White House
the last century have found themselves
Virginia sandstone was for the first
is far and away the most visited home in
among the White House chickens.
time painted. white, and the Presidential
Mansion took on a look to match its
the world. Daily attendance varies with
Long before the last of these special
name: George Washington, it is believed,
the seasons-the least crowded months
had called it the White House for
being November through March, the
tours have gotten under way, people
have begun to gather at the Visitors
Martha's plantation home in Virginia;
most crowded April through October-
but the mean is 5,000, all the more im-
Gate on East Executive Avenue for the
the designation became official under
Theodore Roosevelt.
pressive considering that the hours for
general admission tours. Even when it
Pavilions that had been added In
general admission are short: 10 A.M. to
rains, they wait patiently as if they
noon, Tuesday through Saturday, ex-
think rain is a low enough price to pay
1807 to each side of the house grew
cepting holidays.
for a free trip through so prestigious a
eventually to be the present East Gal-
house. They really need not have arrived
lery and the Executive Office Wing
Last fall the number of visitors rose 25
before 10 o'clock, since everyone in line
Over 150 years after the bullding's con-
per cent from the same period the previ-
by noon is guaranteed entrance; coming
struction, a chandelier swaying at a
ous year, a fact attributed to the recent
an hour early only means an hour longer
reception during the Truman Admini-
I
transfer of power in unusual circum-
wait. The White House line moves
stration led to the discovery that the
1
stances. The changing of Presidencies
brought about changes in the attitude of
quickly, and the cause of its fabled
mansion was "standing up purely from
After installation: of , new steel
THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 1975
Touring
The White
House
Continued From Page 7
and observe that the rooms are still
used today and are not merely museum
settings. The Green Room is and gener-
ally has been a sitting room, but Jeffer-
son made it his dining room, where he
served innovations like ice cream, maca-
roni and waffles.
The Blue Room, most formal of the
The Washington Post
METRO
Local N
A8
WEDNESDAY, 0,0
Tour Wait
White House Tour Tickets
lickets
Boredom
Is at End
By Linda Newton Jones
Washington Post Staff Writer
Many tourists ignored the
seats and the stage show that
the National Park Service
provided yesterday as part of
a new program designed to
help relieve the boredom of
waiting in line for White House
tours.
Two singing groups
provided the entertainment.
But the majority of the
tourists ignored the singing
and the seats for a place in
line.
"Some people just can't get
used to the fact that they don't
have to stand in line
anymore," Mary Krug, a
National Capital Parks press
officer, said.
The bleachers Park Service
set up by the will ac-
commodate 2,000 people. The
average number of visitors to
tour the White House during
October is about 5,600 a day.
The White House is open only
for tours during the fall from
10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday
through Saturday.
"For the first day we're
doing just fine," said Joe
Lawler, a park ranger who
helped coordinate the four-
week test program. "After a
few days, people will realize
that once they get their
tickets, they are free to do
By Frank Johnston-The Washington Post
other things until the tour.
When tourists arrive at the
Back-packing mother gets directions from tour guide on waiting area for tour.
White House they are directed
to the Ellipse where they
receive free color-coded
tickets that indicate the time
of their tour and where they
should meet their tour group.
y
nial year has begun with initial success. It calls for tour-
waiting lines for White House tours during the Bicenten-
An experimental program designed to eliminate long
phenomenon of the rock film.
comedians, Sherlock Holmes and the movies and the
upcoming articles include Alfred Hitchcock, silent film'
cently. "Not cultish, not a fan magazine." The subjects of
"We want this to be a classy magazine," Alpert said re-
the filming of "All the President's Men."
on Hollywood and the newsroom and a special feature on
membership. Edited by Hollis Alpert, it contains articles
magazine, is out, available by subscription or through AFI
The institute's first issue of American Film, its new
Continued from First Page
GREEN BOOK
8 Part V-Sun., Oct. 19, 1975
W.H. W. H. Tours
Los Angeles Times
Local News
Weather
Obituaries
EDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
ir Wait
redom
it End
ida Newton Jones
Formation
Formation
gton Post Staff Writer
tourists ignored the
in
Area B
Area A
I the stage show that
onal Park Service
yesterday as part of
20
Tour 11
Tour 10
rogram designed to
by
eve the boredom of
Now
1 line for White House
Forming
Now
Forming
singing groups
the entertainment.
majority of the
ignored the singing
seats for a place in
White House Report
To the Editor:
During the Christmas holidays, I
ly in total disillusion.
visited the White House. I report brief-
those like my daughters and myself
of visitors to that historic building:
First, there seem to be two classes.
who stand in line and wait, and those
like the people behind us who are
ushered in immediately though there
are hordes ahead of them. The former.,
in are rushed through the public
The Times welcomes letters from
readers. Letters for publication
Because of the
address and telephone number.
must include the writer's name,
UP- 131
R B
(WHITE HOUSE TOURS)
WASHINGTON ( UP D -- THE PRESIDENT AND MR S. FORD HAVE ORDERED
TOUR IST VISITING HOURS EXTENDED TEMPORARILY AT THE WHITE HOUSE TO
GIVE THE PUBLIC MORE ACCESS TO THE EXECUTIVE MANSION FOR THE
BICENTENNIAL YEAR, SPOKESMEN ANNOUNCED TODAY.
FOR THE SAME REASON, THE WHITE HOUSE GROUNDS AND GARDENS ALSO WILL
BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ONE WEEKEND A MONTH FROM APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER,
WITH DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED.
UNDER THE REVISED SCHEDULE, TOUR ISTS WILL HAVE AN EXTRA HOUR TO
SEE THE WHITE HOUSE FROM TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY BETWEEN MARCH 16 AND
OCT. 23. ON THOSE DAYS, THE BUILDING WILL OPEN AT 10 A.M. AND END AT
1 P.M, INSTEAD OF NOON AS USUAL.
ON SATURDAYS, VISITORS WILL TWO EXTRA HOURS, WITH TOURS RUNNING
FROM 10 A.M. UNTIL 2 P.M.
TOURISTS NORMALLY ARE NOT ADMITTED SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS. BUT TO
ACCOMMODATE WEEKEND VISITORS DURING THE B ICENTENNIAL PERIOD, THE
WHITE HOUSE WILL BE OPEN ON THREE MONDAY HOLIDAYS -- MEMORIAL DAY,
LABOR DAY AND COL UMBUS DAY.
UPI 02-17 05:20 PES
Washington Post. 9/15/75 15
PEOPLE/ADVICE
Associated Press
The National Park Service
Visitors will be given free
is going to test a new plan
color-coded tickets which in-
designed to eliminate the
dicate the time of their tour.
They then will be free to sit
An Extra
long queues for persons
and relax or see other sites
touring the White House.
in the Mall area until their
Starting in early October,
scheduled tour begins.
White House visitors will be
This is a pilot program
For White
able to relax on the grass or
which will be tried from
on bleachers and listen to
Oct. 7 to Nov. 1. Fish indi-
musical entertainment such
cated that if it is successful
as high-school
the program will be
House
Tourists
White House Tours
The gardens and grounds of the White House will be
open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 and
19, from 2 to 5 p.m. White House and National Park
Service staff will be on hand to guide visitors through
the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the South Lawn, the
Children's Garden and the Rose Garden.
W. Star Oct //
248
R
WHITE HOUSE TOURS
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A TEST PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE LONG LINES OF
TOURISTS AT THE WHITE HOUSE INCLUDES SEATING ON THE SOUTH ELLIPSE
BEHIND THE MANSION WHERE SINGING GROUPS ENTERTAIN VISITORS WAITING TO
ENTER THE FIRST FAMILY'S HOME.
BLEACHERS WHICH CAN SEAT 2,000 PERSONS HAVE BEEN SET UP, AND TWO
SINGING GROUPS WERE ON HAND TUESDAY FOR THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW
TOURIST SYSTEM AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
IT CALLS FOR TOURISTS TO PICK UP FREE COLOR-CODED TICKETS THAT
INDICATE WHEN AND WHERE THEIR WHITE HOUSE TOURS BEGIN. VISITORS CAN
RELAX ON THE BLEACHERS OR WANDER OFF IN OTHER AREAS UNTIL TOUR TIME.
HOWEVER, MOST OF TUESDAY'S VISITORS WERE APPARENTLY UNAWARE OF THE
PURPOSE OF THE BLEACHERS AND ENTERTAINMENT OR CHOSE TO BYPASS THEM IN
FAVOR OF STANDING IN LINE, ANYWAY, OFFICIALS SAID.
SOME PEOPLE JUST CAN'T GET USED TO THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE
TO STAND IN LINE ANYMORE,' SAID MARY KRUG, A NATIONAL CAPITAL PARKS
PRESS OFFICER.
10-08-75 12:06EDI
UP-084
(WHITE HOUSE VISITORS)
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- PRESIDENT FORD HAS DECIDED TO OPEN THE WHITE
HOUSE AND ITS GROUNDS FOR LONGER HOURS FOR BICENTENNIAL VISITORS.
THE WHITE HOUSE GARDENS AND GROUNDS wILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ONE
WEEK IN EACH MONTH FROM APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER OF NEXT YEAR. THEY ARE
NOW ONLY TWO SUCH TOURS A YEAR.
THE WHITE HOUSE SAID VISITING HOURS wILL DL EXTENDED UNTIL 2 P.M.
ON SATURDAYS FROM MARCH 27 THROUGH THE FOLLOWING OCTOBER 2. NOW THE
WHITE HOUSE IS OPEN UNTIL 2 P.M. ON SATURDAYS ONLY DURING JUNE, JULY
AND AUGUST.
A SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THAT WHENEVER THE OFFICIAL AFTERNOON
SCHEDULE PERMITS, THE WHITE HOUSE WILL BE OPEN BEYOND NOON TUESDAY
THROUGH FRIDAY STARTING NEXT MARCH 30. IT SAID THE CLOSING TIME MOST
DAYS WILL BETWEEN 1 P.M. AND 1:32 P.M.
UPI 07-08 01:42 PED
House Grounds and Touring President's Residence
Touring the
President's
Residence
By Dorothy McCardle
Of the more than 1 million visitors
to the White House every year, only
a few ever get a glimpse of the person
they ask about most-the President
of the United States
LINES GONE FOREVER? WHITE HO USE 'SPEEDUP'
Washington Star 10/8/75
For years visitors to the White House have become accustomed to waiting in long lines that wind along the fence
1975 White House Tour
By John Sherwood
From bleacher seat, listen to
Washington Star Staff Writer
entertainment, which is also free and
Remember that long, long trail a-
not too good, but helps to kill the
winding to the White House, land of
time.
the tourists' dreams? It was such a
Upon arrival of designated time,
traditional part of Washington, head-
look for "Area B" and assemble in
ing south on East Executive Avenue,
second short line.
west on E Street, north on 17th Street
Wait until directed to "Formation
and on to Chevy Chase.
Area" for your tour number and
bunch un in third line