The Cross Hall connects the main rooms and parlors on the State Floor. It is used as an elegant thoroughfare and more recently as a gallery for presidential portraits. Next to it is the Entrance Hall remains largely faithful to James Hoban’s original design. The hall is also adorned with portraits of former presidents. Learn more about the history of these spaces with White House Historical Association historian, Dr. Matthew Costello in this short video, made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.

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