State Dining Room

The State Dining Room in the White House — which now holds around 140 people — wasn't always used for dining. In fact, until 1809, there wasn't much use for a large dining room. According to The White House Historical Association, the number of guests invited to the White House grew as the United States expanded. And though they originally attempted to host dinners in the Cross Hall, the drafts made it too cold for that purpose. Thus, the official State Dining Room was born.