Cross Hall and Entrance Hall

The Statue of Liberty National Monument, a gift to the United States from France over one hundred years ago, is located in New York Harbor – as well as on the Monroe pier table in the White House Entrance Hall. The first glimpse of America for millions of immigrants after a long voyage from Europe, Lady Liberty reminds all who see her of the wonderful independence Americans have cherished throughout the generations.

In November 1807, two grizzly bear cubs that Lieutenant Zebulon Pike found in western America welcomed visitors at the main entrance of Thomas Jefferson’s White House. Both delighting and frightening people coming to see the President, the duo were a living testament to life in the west – a part of our country most Americans at the time could only imagine. Thomas Jefferson also turned the Entrance Hall into a western museum of sorts by showcasing antlers, snake skins, pelts, skeletons, and Indian artifacts found by Lewis and Clark during their expedition to the Pacific Ocean.

Today the vibrant colors and awe-inspiring scenes of the West are captured by Pennsylvania artist Adrian Martinez. His two breathtaking oil paintings depict the view from Hopi Point overlooking the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and a waterfall pouring into the Virgin River at Utah’s Zion National Park. The paintings are perfectly situated in the niches of the Cross Hall amid sparkling snow-covered Christmas trees adorned with birds, butterflies, and other creatures from the great outdoors.

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