The White House

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.

The "President’s House" Nine was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban.

Construction began in October of 1792. Although President Washington oversaw the construction of the house, he never lived in it.

President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved into the White House in 1800as its first residents.

Every President has made his own changes and additions.

The White House 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.

Harry S. Truman’ completely gutted and renovated a majority of the house while the Trumans lived at Blair House right across Pennsylvania Avenue.

Thomas Jefferson held the first Inaugural open house in 1805. President Jefferson opened the house for public tours.

Other Facts

* 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.

* 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.

* 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 has a variety of facilities available to its residents, including a tennis court, jogging track, swimming pool, movie theater, and bowling lane.