Press Corps Offices

President Obama takes an impromtu tour of the press area just after taking office in 2009 (Getty Images)

 

Press Corps Cube Zoo The White House Press Corps occupies a section of the West Wing gallery, where they are tightly packed together in cramped cubicles and tiny offices. In December 2005, the White House announced that the Press Briefing Room and Press Corps Offices would be renovated in the coming year. (adapted from The Washington Post) Reporters from the networks, wire services and some of the larger newspapers have desks, small offices and working spaces in [this] room and downstairs in a windowless basement. There is a small coffee room, with a few vending machines and restrooms. The room is, quite literally, a fire hazard, with wires fraying and cameras, cords and equipment piled throughout. It has all the comforts of a 1970s schoolroom: cramped, ergonomically challenged desks and seats for reporters, and no high-speed Internet access.... This means the television, print and radio reporters and crews will be booted from the White House for at least seven months as the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room is modernized. In July 2007, the offices were reopened for use by the press. Until 1969, the Press Office space was occupied by the White House Gymnasium and Flower Shop. Around 1961, doors were cut through their walls to allow President Kennedy to pass through them from the swimming pool (now the Press Briefing Room) to the Residence without going outside in his robe. The Flower Shop is now in the White House Basement; a workout room is now in one corner of the third floor. The Old Press Room was in the northwest corner of the West Wing.

More Images

President Obama walks through the Press Kitchen in 2009, looking west (AP)

President Obama walks through the Press Kitchen in 2009, looking west (AP)

The Daily Show's John Oliver descending to the basement in 2009 (Comedy Central)

John Oliver descending to the basement in 2009 (Comedy Central)

Outgoing Dana Perino passes out White House candy on inauguration day, 2009 (Getty Images - Brendan Hoffman)

Veteran reporter Helen Thomas returns to the White House in 2008 (AP - Gerald Herbert)

The press corps at work in 2007 (Julie Mason)

The first lady visits in 2007 (Corbis)

Laura Bush visits the new offices in 2007 (White House Press Corps)

Laura Bush visits the new offices in 2007 (White House Press Corps)

The first lady at the bottom of the basement stairs ing 2007 (Corbis)

The AP's Terry Hunt and his collection of neckties in 2007 (Time - Chris Usher)

The new Radio Row in the basement in 2007 (Julie Mason)

The Houston Chronicle's basement desk in 2007 (Julie Mason)

AP photographer Pablo Martinez, right, and others crammed into the press room in 2006 (Susan Biddle)

Sam Donaldson and Helen Thomas chat just inside the Press Corps Offices, 2006;
through the doorway to the left is the Press Briefing Room (Julie Mason)

The Houston Chronicle's Julie Mason at her basement desk in 2006 (Julie Mason)

Radio Row in the basement, 2006 (Julie Mason)

Voice of America "office" in 2006 (Julie Mason)

The stairs down to additional press offices, 2006 (Julie Mason)

Incoming Press Secretary Tony Snow (R), talks with NBC New correspondents in 2006 (Getty Images - AFP)

The offices in 2006 (Getty Images - Brendan Smialowski)

The offices in 2006, looking north into the push-out (Getty Images - Brendan Smialowski)

The offices in 2006, looking south from the north push-out (Getty Images - Brendan Smialowski)

The offices in 2005, looking south (Getty Images - Mark Wilson)

The offices in 2004 (Corbis)

Press Briefing Room view into the Press Corps offices, circa 2003 (note the stairs just inside to the right)