| History By Day |
| The White House |
| History by Day - Copyright 2009-2010 |
Get your daily history via twitter - twitter.com/Historyday
| ***Books For Sale*** |
White House History
For more than 200 years, the White
House has been more than just the
home of the Presidents and their
families. Throughout the world, it is
recognized as the symbol of the
President, of the President's
administration, and of the United
States
About the Building
For two hundred years, the White
House has stood as a symbol of the
Presidency, the United States
government, and the American
people. Its history, and the history
For more than 200 years, the White
House has been more than just the
home of the Presidents and their
families. Throughout the world, it is
recognized as the symbol of the
President, of the President's
administration, and of the United
States
About the Building
For two hundred years, the White
House has stood as a symbol of the
Presidency, the United States
government, and the American
people. Its history, and the history
of the nation's capital, began when President George Washington signed an Act of Congress
in December of 1790 declaring that the federal government would reside in a district "not
exceeding ten miles square…on the river Potomac." President Washington, together with city
planner Pierre L’Enfant, chose the site for the new residence, which is now 1600 Pennsylvania
Avenue. As preparations began for the new federal city, a competition was held to find a
builder of the "President’s House." Nine proposals were submitted, and Irish-born architect
James Hoban won a gold medal for his practical and handsome design.
Construction began when the first cornerstone was laid in October of 1792. Although
President Washington oversaw the construction of the house, he never lived in it. It was not
until 1800, when the White House was nearly completed, that its first residents, President
John Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved in. Since that time, each President has made his
own changes and additions. The White House is, after all, the President’s private home. It is
also the only private residence of a head of state that is open to the public, free of charge.
The White House has a unique and fascinating history. It survived a fire at the hands of the
British in 1814 (during the war of 1812) and another fire in the West Wing in 1929, while
Herbert Hoover was President. Throughout much of Harry S. Truman’s presidency, the interior
of the house, with the exception of the third floor, was completely gutted and renovated
while the Trumans lived at Blair House, right across Pennsylvania Avenue. Nonetheless, the
exterior stone walls are those first put in place when the White House was constructed two
centuries ago.
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.
in December of 1790 declaring that the federal government would reside in a district "not
exceeding ten miles square…on the river Potomac." President Washington, together with city
planner Pierre L’Enfant, chose the site for the new residence, which is now 1600 Pennsylvania
Avenue. As preparations began for the new federal city, a competition was held to find a
builder of the "President’s House." Nine proposals were submitted, and Irish-born architect
James Hoban won a gold medal for his practical and handsome design.
Construction began when the first cornerstone was laid in October of 1792. Although
President Washington oversaw the construction of the house, he never lived in it. It was not
until 1800, when the White House was nearly completed, that its first residents, President
John Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved in. Since that time, each President has made his
own changes and additions. The White House is, after all, the President’s private home. It is
also the only private residence of a head of state that is open to the public, free of charge.
The White House has a unique and fascinating history. It survived a fire at the hands of the
British in 1814 (during the war of 1812) and another fire in the West Wing in 1929, while
Herbert Hoover was President. Throughout much of Harry S. Truman’s presidency, the interior
of the house, with the exception of the third floor, was completely gutted and renovated
while the Trumans lived at Blair House, right across Pennsylvania Avenue. Nonetheless, the
exterior stone walls are those first put in place when the White House was constructed two
centuries ago.
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.
- There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels in the Residence. There are also 412
doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators. - At various times in history, the White House has been known as the "President's Palace,"
the "President's House," and the "Executive Mansion." President Theodore Roosevelt
officially gave the White House its current name in 1901. - Presidential Firsts while in office... President James Polk (1845-49) was the first
President to have his photograph taken... President Theodore Roosevelt (1901-09) was
not only the first President to ride in an automobile, but also the first President to travel
outside the country when he visited Panama... President Franklin Roosevelt (1933-45)
was the first President to ride in an airplane. - With five full-time chefs, the White House kitchen is able to serve dinner to as many as
140 guests and hors d'oeuvres to more than 1,000. - The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface.
- For recreation, the White House has a variety of facilities available to its residents,
including a tennis court, jogging track, swimming pool, movie theater, and bowling lane.