White House

The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., it has been the home of every U.S. president since John Adams moved there in 1800, after the capital moved from Philadelphia. The White House also stands for the whole Executive Office of the President.

An aerial view of the White House complex, including Pennsylvania Avenue (closed to traffic) in the foreground, the Executive Residence and North Portico (center), the East Wing (left), and the West Wing and the Oval Office at its southeast corner in April 2007

Designed by Irish architect James Hoban in a grand Neoclassical style, the White House was built between 1792 and 1800. It was inspired by Leinster House in Dublin. Sadly, during the War of 1812, British soldiers burned the building, but it was quickly rebuilt. Over the years, leaders like Theodore Roosevelt added new areas such as the West Wing to give workers more space. Today, the White House includes many special rooms and offices where important decisions for the country are made.

Early history

1789–1800

After becoming president in 1789, George Washington lived in two homes in New York City. He first stayed at a house owned by Samuel Osgood on Cherry Street until early 1790. Then he moved to a larger home at Alexander Macomb House on Broadway, where he stayed until August 1790.

Later, the nation’s capital moved to Philadelphia. There, Washington lived in a home rented from a merchant named Robert Morris from late 1790 until early 1797. This house was made bigger to fit Washington’s team. When John Adams became president in 1797, he also lived in this Philadelphia home until May 1800.

James Hoban's Charleston County Courthouse in Charleston, South Carolina, whose design Washington admired

Adams was the first president to live in the White House when it was finished, moving in on November 1, 1800.

Architectural competition

The White House was an important part of Pierre L’Enfant’s plan for the new capital city of Washington, D.C. After L’Enfant left, President Washington and his secretary of state, Thomas Jefferson, decided to hold a contest to choose the best design.

Nine designs were entered, and the winner was Irish-American architect James Hoban. Hoban was chosen after President Washington met him when visiting Charleston, South Carolina, in 1791 and saw his work on the Charleston County Courthouse.

A 1793 elevation by James Hoban; his three-story, nine-bay original submission was altered into this two-story, 11-bay design.

Design influences

The White House’s design uses ideas from old Roman and Venetian architecture. The upper floors look like Dublin’s Leinster House. Some Irish country homes also inspired the layout. There is also a theory that French designs might have influenced the White House, but Hoban never visited France.

Construction

Building the White House started on October 13, 1792. Most of the main structure was built by European workers, while enslaved African-Americans provided stone. Other workers included immigrants who built the sandstone walls.

The principal story plan for the White House by Benjamin Henry Latrobe in 1807

There is debate about where the sandstone came from—some think it was from a Croatian island, while others believe it came from Virginia. The building took eight years and cost around $232,371.83, which is about $4,408,000 today. The house was ready for presidents to move in by November 1, 1800, even though it wasn’t fully finished.

Architectural description

The White House’s north side has a big entrance with Ionic columns. The ground floor is hidden by a slope leading up to the house. The center part of the north side has a small porch added around 1830. The windows on the first and second floors have different-shaped tops.

The south side mixes two styles of architecture. The center part has a bow shape with windows that also have different-shaped tops. This side has a staircase leading to a balcony added in 1946. The newer third floor is hidden behind a railing.

Naming conventions

The White House was called many things in the past, like “President’s Palace” or “President’s House.” People first started calling it the “White House” in 1811. President Theodore Roosevelt made “The White House” the official name in 1901. Some think the name might come from Martha Washington’s home in Virginia, called White House Plantation.

Evolution of the White House

The White House ruins after the Burning of Washington during the War of 1812 on August 24, 1814

On November 1, 1800, John Adams became the first president to live in the White House when he moved there from Philadelphia. He wrote to his wife about his hopes for the house. Later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had Adams’s words carved into a mantel.

Thomas Jefferson moved in next and thought the house was very big. He helped design special covered walkways called colonnades to connect different parts of the building.

In 1814, during the War of 1812, British soldiers burned the White House down. Only the walls stayed standing. The building was rebuilt, and new parts like the south and north porticos were added later.

A 19th-century view of Jefferson and Latrobe's West Wing Colonnade, now the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

By the time of the American Civil War, the White House was too small and in a bad location because of unhealthy air. Plans to build a new home for the president were not used.

The White House and North Lawn during the Lincoln administration during the American Civil War in the 1860s

When Theodore Roosevelt became president, he made big changes to give the president more space. He created a new wing called the West Wing for offices.

By 1948, the White House was in very bad shape and could have fallen down. President Harry S. Truman had to live elsewhere while the whole inside was rebuilt with a strong steel frame. When the work was done, Truman moved back in.

Jacqueline Kennedy, who was married to President John F. Kennedy, led a big project to decorate the White House with old pieces of furniture and art. She picked different styles for each room to make the house look more historic. She even made a television show to show the public the restored White House.

The White House since the Kennedy restoration

Congress made a rule in 1961 that the White House is like a museum. Important furniture and decorations can’t be sold, and if they aren’t being used, they can be kept safe by the Smithsonian Institution. The White House can always get these items back if needed.

Since the Kennedy family lived there, each president’s family has made small changes to the private rooms, but big changes to the public rooms need approval from a special committee. This committee makes sure the White House stays the same for history.

The White House complex and vicinity in 2006, viewed from the north with the Potomac River, Jefferson Memorial, and Washington Monument visible to the south

First Lady Pat Nixon added many pieces to the White House during her time there. Her husband, President Nixon, added a press briefing room and a bowling alley. Later, President Carter added computers and solar panels, though these panels were taken down during President Reagan’s time. In the 1990s, President and Mrs. Clinton added new decorations to several rooms.

The White House was made easier for people who use wheelchairs during President Roosevelt’s time. In the 1990s, a ramp was added to help with tours.

In 2013, President Obama added new solar panels. In 2025, President Trump began building a new East Wing with a big ballroom, but this project was stopped by a court order.

Cross Hall, which connects the State Dining Room and the East Room on the State Floor

Layout and amenities

The White House has many buildings and rooms. The main building, called the Executive Residence, has six stories and includes rooms for the president and for special events. It has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and many doors and windows.

The West Wing has the president’s office and offices for important workers. It also has a room where the president meets with advisors and the press.

The East Wing, first built in 1902, was recently torn down to make way for a new building with a ballroom and offices for the first lady. The grounds of the White House have gardens, a tennis court, and a jogging track. First Lady Michelle Obama started an organic garden, and later changes included new flagpoles and a patio in the Rose Garden.

Public access and security

The White House welcomes up to 30,000 visitors each week. A special staff member called the chief usher manages daily activities.

Historically, the White House was open to visitors, much like grand homes in England and Ireland. Early presidents, such as John Adams, started the tradition of welcoming people on New Year's Day. Thomas Jefferson allowed tours of his home, which continue except during times of war. He also held special events on the Fourth of July. These open houses could get lively — in 1829, Andrew Jackson had to leave when crowds celebrated his inauguration inside the White House. Open houses ended in the early 1930s, but Bill Clinton brought back New Year's open houses for a short time.

The White House has strong safety measures. Security teams work to keep everyone safe, especially during important events. Airspace around the White House is closely watched to ensure safety.

Births, deaths and weddings at the White House

Births

Many children have been born at the White House, including Grover Cleveland’s daughter Esther.

Other children born at the White House include:

James Madison Randolph, grandson of Thomas Jefferson
Asnet Hughes, son of Ursula Granger and Wormley Hughes, who were owned by Jefferson
Two children of Frances Hern and David Hern, who were owned by Jefferson
The Fossett children, born to Fanny Fossett and Edith Fossett, who were owned by Jefferson
Mary Louisa Adams, granddaughter of John Quincy Adams
Mary Emily, John Samuel, and Rachel Jackson Donelson, who were related to Andrew Jackson
Rebecca Van Buren, granddaughter of Martin Van Buren
Letitia Christian Tyler and Robert Tyler Jones, grandchildren of John Tyler
Julia Grant Cantacuzène, granddaughter of Ulysses Grant
Francis Bowes Sayre Jr., grandson of Woodrow Wilson

Deaths

Some important people have passed away at the White House. Two presidents, William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor, died there, as did three first ladies, Letitia Tyler, Caroline Harrison, and Ellen Wilson. Others who have passed away at the White House include Rebecca Van Buren, granddaughter of Martin Van Buren, and Abraham Lincoln’s son, William Wallace Lincoln.

Weddings

Many weddings and wedding celebrations have taken place at the White House. Grover Cleveland was the only president to get married in the White House, marrying Frances Folsom on June 2, 1886, in the Blue Room.

Children of presidents have also married in the White House. These include Maria Hester Monroe Gouveneur in 1820, John Adams II in 1828, Elizabeth Tyler in 1842, Nellie Grant in 1874, Alice Roosevelt Longworth in 1906, Jessie Wilson Sayre in 1913, Eleanor Wilson McAdoo in 1914, and Tricia Nixon Cox in 1971. Luci Johnson in 1967 and Jenna Bush Hager in 2008 had their wedding celebrations at the White House.