What Is the Map Room in the White House?
The Map Room is a small interior room on the Ground Floor of the White House. It is used for meetings, receptions, and as a secure workspace. The room is named for the large map fixtures that have historically decorated its walls.
History and Purpose of the Map Room
The Map Room has served as a situation room, a waiting area, and a secure communications hub. During World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt used the room to follow wartime maps and coordinate strategy. It later became a private lounge for first families and a setting for official photographs and small gatherings.
Location and Access Inside the White House
The Map Room is located on the Ground Floor of the Executive Residence, near the Entrance Hall and the East Wing corridor. It is not part of the public tour route and is reserved for official use. The White House maintains detailed floor plans and historical records of the room’s uses, which are documented by the White House Historical Association.
Learn more about White House rooms and their functions from the White House Historical Association.
