Diocesan homeschool families paid a special visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., with a tour of the White House June 5.
More than 75 students from kindergarten through high school attended the tour with their parents and college-aged siblings through Mary’s House Homeschool Group, based out of the neighboring counties of Loudoun and Fairfax.
The tour group received a rare glimpse of the White House staff in action, as they prepared for the ceremonial welcome of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who visited President Donald Trump later that day.
The students enjoyed learning about White House security, particularly dogs from the Secret Service’s Canine Explosives Detection Team. They visited the East Room — the largest of the ceremonial state rooms — the State Dining Room, the China Room and the library, among other rooms. The students enjoyed peeking into the presidential movie theater and identifying the individual seats used by the president and first lady. The group received complimentary treats, including red, white and blue chocolate candies.
Seventh grader Matthew Harvey enjoyed the historical aspects of the tour. “It was great to see the history of the White House, especially the portrait of George Washington that Dolley Madison saved,” he said, referring to the portrait that First Lady Dolley Madison saved during the British burning of Washington in 1812.
The students also brought their patriotic spirit with them. “It was amazing to see where the president lives and to do (the tour) with my friends. I got dressed up and wore red, white, and blue for the day,” said fourth grader Patrick Collins.
