The White House
The White House, the official residence of the president, is
at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC 20500. The site, covering about
18 acres, was selected by President Washington and city planner Pierre Charles L'Enfant,
and the architect was James Hoban. The
design appears to have been influenced by Leinster House, Dublin, and James
Gibb's Book of Architecture. The cornerstone was laid Oct. 13, 1792,
and the first residents were President John Adams and
First Lady Abigail
Adams in Nov. 1800.
The White House has a fascinating history. The main building was burned by the British in 1814 during the War of 1812. Afterward, when the building was being restored, the smoke-stained gray stone walls were painted white. The name “White House,” however, was not used officially until President Theodore Roosevelt had it engraved on his stationery in 1901. Prior to that, the building was known variously as the “President's Palace,” the “President's House,” and the “Executive Mansion.”
The White House has a fascinating history. The main building was burned by the British in 1814 during the War of 1812. Afterward, when the building was being restored, the smoke-stained gray stone walls were painted white. The name “White House,” however, was not used officially until President Theodore Roosevelt had it engraved on his stationery in 1901. Prior to that, the building was known variously as the “President's Palace,” the “President's House,” and the “Executive Mansion.”
Over the years, there have been several additions made to
the main building, including the west wing (1902), the east wing (1942), and a
penthouse and a bomb shelter (1952). The west wing, which contains the
president's oval office and the offices of his staff, is the center of activity
at the White House. During Harry Truman's presidency,
from Dec. 1948 to March 1952, the interior of the White House was rebuilt, and
the outer walls were strengthened. Nevertheless, the exterior stone walls are
the same ones that were first put in place when the White House was constructed
two centuries ago.
The rooms for public functions are on the first floor; the
second and third floors are used as the residence of the president and first
family. The most celebrated public room is the East Room, where formal
receptions take place. Other public rooms are the Red Room, the Green Room, and
the Blue Room. The State Dining Room is used for formal dinners. In all, there
are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators.
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