The White House: History and Facts

The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States.

The White House and its grounds cover 18 acres, which is about the size of 7.2 football fields.

Yes, the President of the United States lives in the White House.

John Adams, the second president of the United States, was the first to live in the White House.

The White House has over 100 rooms, including bedrooms, offices, and grand reception halls.

The White House was originally called "President's Palace" but was later renamed "Executive Mansion" to avoid connotations of royalty.

The name "White House" became official in 1901 during President Theodore Roosevelt's time in office.

The White House is the oldest federal building in Washington D.C.

The White House was designed by James Hoban, an Irish-American architect, who won a competition for the design.

The White House was built with sandstone imported from Virginia quarries.

President Jefferson opened the White House to the public every morning, a tradition maintained by his successors.

The White House was severely damaged by British troops during the War of 1812 and required extensive reconstruction.

President Jackson's extravagant inauguration celebration resulted in significant damage to the White House.

The White House became a symbol of American democracy, where the people held the power.

President Lincoln's assassination occurred at the White House, symbolizing a tragic moment in American history.

The White House was designed to be a modest and functional residence, suitable for a private family.

The White House gradually underwent modernization, with the addition of amenities such as refrigeration, gas lighting, and electricity.

Until 1909, the president was responsible for paying the salaries of White House staff, including servants.

The White House was often viewed as underwhelming by foreign visitors, who expected a more opulent residence.

The White House has been a symbol of American democracy and presidential power throughout history.

The White House was initially modeled after Leinster House in Dublin, a building that houses the Irish legislature.

The White House's exterior walls are made of Aquia Creek sandstone, which was painted white.

During the War of 1812, British forces burned the White House, causing significant damage to the interior and exterior.

President Theodore Roosevelt had all work offices moved to the newly constructed West Wing in 1901, due to crowding within the main building.

President William Howard Taft expanded the West Wing in 1909, creating the first Oval Office.

In 1948, the White House's load-bearing walls and beams were found to be in poor condition, requiring major structural work under President Truman.

President George Washington initially used private residences in New York City as the executive mansion before the current White House was constructed.

The President's House in Philadelphia, intended as a grand presidential mansion, was built but remained vacant until sold to the University of Pennsylvania.

Pierre Charles L'Enfant's original plan for the White House was much grander, envisioning a palace five times larger than the final structure.

Construction of the White House involved a diverse workforce, including enslaved and free African-Americans, Europeans, and immigrants.

There are conflicting claims about the origin of the sandstone used in the White House, with some reports suggesting Croatian stone and others claiming Aquia Creek, Virginia.

The White House was built over an eight-year period at a cost of $232,371.83, equivalent to $4,172,000 in 2023.

The White House's distinctive white color is not due to a desire to mask burn damage after the War of 1812, but rather from a mixture of lime, rice glue, casein, and lead used to whitewash the porous sandstone walls.

The South Portico has steps that have a similar curved shape to a famous French château, and some people believe this was the source of inspiration for its design. However, the exact origin remains a topic of debate.

The White House's name evolved from "President's Palace" to "Executive Mansion", and ultimately to "The White House". The formal adoption of "The White House" as the building's name occurred in 1901.

The White House underwent a significant reconstruction after it was burned by British troops in the War of 1812. Most of the structure had to be rebuilt using salvaged materials from the original building.

While the White House's design was inspired by Palladian and neoclassical styles, its construction was delayed, meaning it was not finished until several years after George Washington's presidency.

The White House's design was influenced by both Palladian and neoclassical architectural styles, creating a unique blend of elements.

Italian artisans, hired to build the U.S. Capitol, were also responsible for carving the decorative stonework on both porticos of the White House

The White House was originally called "President's Palace", then "Executive Mansion", but ultimately the name "The White House" became its official name in 1901.

The White House's construction faced challenges, including labor shortages, and the final design featured two floors instead of the planned three.

The White House's historical significance became formalized in 1961 when Congress declared it a national museum, protecting its artifacts and preventing their sale.

The White House was first decorated with a focus on different historical periods, with each room reflecting a specific style, like the Green Room with Federal style.

Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration efforts emphasized authenticity and grandeur, making the White House more representative of its historical grandeur.

The White House is a large complex, not just the main residence but also the East and West Wings, which serve different administrative functions.

The Committee for the Preservation of the White House ensures that any changes made to the State Rooms are approved, preserving their historical integrity.

Presidents, like Nixon and Carter, have introduced modern amenities to the White House, reflecting changing times and technological advancements.

Over the years, many presidents have directed redecorations and renovations of various rooms, like the Lincoln Bedroom and the Oval Office.

The White House has become more accessible for visitors, with additions like a ramp, ensuring wheelchair accessibility.

A design change to the North Portico of the White House, incorporating a swag of roses between the volutes, to visually connect the portico with the carved roses above the entrance.

Due to overcrowding and concerns about the White House's location near swamps and a canal, which posed health risks, a proposal was made to abandon the White House as the presidential residence.

Chester A. Arthur, upon taking office, ordered renovations to the White House, including removal of old furniture, replacement of the glass doors with a Tiffany stained glass screen, and redecoration of rooms like the Red Room and main corridor.

Colonel Theodore A. Bingham's plan for expanding the White House, proposed by First Lady Caroline Harrison, included a National Wing for historical art and a wing for official functions.

Theodore Roosevelt, wanting a neoclassical style suited to the White House's original architecture, oversaw expansions and renovations that removed the Tiffany screen and Victorian additions, and moved executive offices to the new West Wing.

President William Howard Taft, with the help of architect Nathan C. Wyeth, expanded the West Wing to include the Oval Office, marking a transition from the traditional residence to a more complex administrative space.

For the first time, legislation allowed the White House to accept gifts of furniture and art, impacting the house's interiors and collection of historical artifacts.

Due to poor maintenance, construction of an attic and a balcony, and other structural alterations, the White House was declared in imminent danger of collapse in 1948, leading to a complete reconstruction.

The Truman reconstruction involved dismantling the interior, building a new steel frame, reconstructing original rooms, repositioning the grand staircase, adding central air conditioning, and creating additional sub-basements.

Jacqueline Kennedy, the First Lady during John F. Kennedy's presidency, spearheaded a historic redecoration project, drawing on antiques, fine paintings, and the expertise of designers like Stéphane Boudin, to restore the White House's elegance and historical significance.