The State Department's Diplomatic Reception Rooms

U.S. State Department's Flag-Filled Lobby

Not everyone may visit the U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Reception Rooms, but visiting foreign dignitaries are certainly welcomed here.  In these rooms, the U.S. Vice President, the Secretary of State and Cabinet Members welcome and entertain visiting Chiefs of State, Heads of Government, Foreign Ministers and many others.  Who knows exactly how many wars have been avoided, thanks to the diplomacy and exchange of ideas that have occurred within these rooms?

The high point of civilization is that you can hate me and I can hate you but we develop an etiquette that allows us to deal with each other because if we acted solely upon our impulse we'd probably go to war.

~ American poet and syndicated columnist Stanley Crouch 

Luckily, I was welcomed to visit to these rooms, too.  In fact, anyone may visit the State Department's Reception Rooms if one makes an online reservation through the department's web site.  Just be sure to leave your backpack or any large handbags at home on the day of your tour and be prepared to willingly submit to a thorough security check upon your arrival.  

Entry Hall

After ascending to the 8th floor of the State Department building, my tour guide welcomed our group to the Entry Hall.  There I began to realize that I was in for a rare treat.  Exquisite works of art from the early years of our country's history were on display.

Included in the rooms were..

George Washington's set of fine china used during his administration

The United State seal which cemented the Treaty of Ghent, signed in 1814 to end the hostilities between our fledging country and England.

Exquisite articles of silver

The desk Thomas Jefferson reputedly used when he drafted the Declaration of Independence

Gilbert Stuart's portrait of George Washington

 Our guide led us past...

The Walter Thurston Gentlemen's Lounge 

The Martha Washington Ladies Lounge

and on into...

The John Quincy Adams State Drawing Room

The Thomas Jefferson State Reception Room

The Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room
where intimate dinners for 250 guests may be served.

"Sharing a meal can help people transcend boundaries and build bridges in a way that nothing else can."

~ Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

Even the ceilings in these rooms were interesting!

The Great Seal of the United State is embossed on the ceiling of the Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room

The chandelier in the Entry Hall

The brochure we were given at the start of our tour has a fitting quote to close this posting because it stated so eloquently, "These are the rooms of a thousand stories where history's treasures inspire and welcome the world."

I felt fortunate that I could visit these rooms.