White House

I

Introduction

White House, official residence of the president of the United States, situated at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. The White House was built between 1792 and 1800 in a simple neoclassical style. Despite numerous renovations and additions since then, the White House has retained its classically simple style. The White House has been the home of every U.S. president except George Washington, the nation’s first president, who selected the site for the building and supervised its construction. His successor, John Adams, became the first president to occupy the White House in 1800.

Throughout its history the White House has also housed offices where successive presidents have carried out the duties and responsibilities of their position as head of the executive branch of the government. The building’s first official title, from 1810 to 1901, was the Executive Mansion, which reflects its dual purpose as a home and a place of business. At times the White House also has been known as the President’s House, the President’s Mansion, and even the President’s Palace. However, it has always been popularly known as the White House. Theodore Roosevelt made this designation official in 1901, after he had the name engraved on his stationery.

The White House also is a museum of American history and art. The state, or ceremonial, rooms of the White House are open to visitors who make reservations in advance. Although visitors see only seven rooms, the White House remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in Washington, D.C.

II

Exterior of the White House

Today, the main building of the White House houses the presidential living quarters as well as rooms for entertaining and holding official ceremonies. Two wings extend from the main building and house offices where the president and his staff conduct business. The president works in the oval office in the West Wing, meeting heads of state, cabinet members, and other officials; conferring with advisers; reading reports; making decisions; signing laws; and conducting other business. The White House and its grounds occupy 7.3 hectares (about 18 acres).

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A

The Building

The main building of the White House is a simple yet stately edifice in a neoclassical style made popular by 16th-century Italian architect Andrea Palladio. The first White House architect, Irish-born James Hoban, based his design on English and Irish country houses. The White House is constructed of light gray sandstone painted white. According to popular legend white paint was applied to cover black soot marks left after the British set fire to the White House during the War of 1812. According to White House historians, however, the outer walls were covered with whitewash from the outset to protect the soft stone.

The original design for the White House called for two wings flanking the main building to the east and west. The wings were eliminated from the final design but added, in modified form, in the 20th century to house the growing and more complex executive branch. Today, offices and other facilities occupy the Executive Wing, also known as the West Wing, and the East Wing. Colonnades—covered, columned walkways—link the three-story wings to the main building. Tour groups enter the White House from the East Wing.

B

The Grounds

The White House grounds, together with a grassy area called the Ellipse to the south and Lafayette Square to the north, make up President’s Park. Two trails lead through the park, starting from the White House Visitor’s Center at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue. President’s Park covers 82 acres.

The lawns and gardens surrounding the White House include numerous trees of historical interest. Thomas Jefferson planted hundreds of seedling trees on the White House grounds, and subsequent presidents have followed his lead. Rutherford Hayes began the tradition of planting commemorative trees associated with each president. The oldest surviving tree is a magnolia planted by Andrew Jackson in 1830.