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White House

✨ The heart of power

The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States, in Washington, D.C. President George Washington selected its site in 1791, and construction began the following year after Irish-born architect James Hoban won a design competition. The cornerstone was laid on October 13, 1792. Construction took eight years, and President John Adams and his wife Abigail moved into the still-unfinished building on November 1, 1800.

The original house was built mainly of Aquia Creek sandstone and had a neoclassical design. Enslaved and free workers, as well as craftsmen from Europe and local communities, contributed to its construction. The exterior was coated with white limewash in 1798 to protect the porous sandstone from moisture and freezing. The name “White House” gradually became common and was made the building’s official name in 1901. On August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812, British troops set fire to the building.

James Hoban supervised its reconstruction, and President James Monroe moved back in during 1817. The South Portico was completed in 1824 and the North Portico in 1830, giving the residence much of its familiar appearance. Major changes followed over the next century. In 1902, Theodore Roosevelt reorganized the building and created the West Wing for presidential offices; William Howard Taft later added the Oval Office.

By the late 1940s, serious structural problems required another reconstruction. Under Harry S. Truman, the interior was largely dismantled and rebuilt around a steel frame and new concrete foundations while the historic exterior walls were retained. The Truman family returned in 1952. Since John Adams, every U.S. president has lived in the White House, making the building both a working center of government and an important witness to American history.

💡 Did you know?

Did you know that to keep the White House that white, over 2,000 liters of special paint are needed? Originally, it was simply called the 'President's Palace.' It's told that the walls were painted white to hide fire damage from enemy soldiers, but in reality, the white color comes from a lime mixture to protect the stone from the cold.

Inside, the White House even features a private cinema, a bowling alley, and a swimming pool! The president can also eat vegetables grown in the house's large kitchen garden. It is a true modern fortress protected by elite guards and high-tech systems to ensure the presidential family's safety.

The world's most famous office is located here: the Oval Office. It has this original shape so the president can see everyone around. It's said to be one of the safest rooms on the planet, with bulletproof glass so thick it can withstand almost anything!