East Room

Though the East Room is used to house bill-signings, musical performances, and press conferences today, it was originally created to be a "Public Audience Room" by George Washington and James Hoban. And, according to The White House Historical Association, the room has had multiple other uses as well — including several years where it sat unfinished and undecorated. As a matter of fact, because John and Abigail Adams were the first presidential pair to actually reside in the Executive Mansion, there were several rooms still under construction at that time. But that doesn't mean they didn't make use of these spaces. During the Adams presidency, the East Room actually served as a place to dry laundry.