presidents can express their individual style in how they decorate some parts of the house and in how they receive the public during their stay. thomas jefferson held the first inaugural open house in 1805. many of those who attended the swearing-in ceremony at the u.s. capitol simply followed him home, where he greeted them in the blue room. president jefferson also opened the house for public tours, and it has remained open, except during wartime, ever since. in addition, he welcomed visitors to annual receptions on new year’s day and on the fourth of july. in 1829, a horde of 20,000 inaugural callers forced president andrew jackson to flee to the safety of a hotel while, on the lawn, aides filled washtubs with orange juice and whiskey to lure the mob out of the mud-tracked white house.
after abraham lincoln`s presidency, inaugural crowds became far too large for the white house to accommodate them comfortably. however, not until grover cleveland`s first presidency did this unsafe practice change. he held a presidential review of the troops from a flag-draped grandstand built in front of the white house. this procession evolved into the official inaugural parade we know today. receptions on new year`s day and the fourth of july continued to be held until the early 1930s.
president clinton`s open house on january 21, 1993 renewed a venerable white house inaugural tradition. two thousand citizens, selected by lottery, were greeted in the diplomatic reception room by president and mrs. clinton and vice president and mrs. gore.