History of the White House

The White House holds many stories within its walls, and the land it was built on. As Americans this is the home to what builds our country every single day, where many decisions are made, and bills are signed by the President of the United States sits and tries to make the best choices for all Americans. In this article we will talk about the history of the White House and some events that have taken place there that you may not have been aware of. However you feel about your government or your political affiliation, you should take the time to visit the White House and stand where history has been made time and time again, let’s get started and go back in time!

George Washington the very first President of the United States was the one who selected the site where the White House would be placed in the year 1791.One year later, the cornerstone was laid and a design submitted by Irish-born architect James Hoban was chosen for the task. After eight years of construction, President John Adams and his wife Abigail moved into the still-unfinished residence. During the War of 1812, the British set fire to the President’s House,  and James Hoban was chosen to repair and rebuild. In the year 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt started the renovation process of the White House, including the relocation of the President’s offices from the Second Floor of the Residence to the newly constructed temporary Executive Office Building, which we now know as the West Wing. Almost every single President has made changes to the White House during their term. It it ever changing and growing larger and larger through decades of each persons new vision within reason of course. George Washington probably never imagined the White House to be what it to today, and I do not doubt he would be pleased with its progression.

• There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels, there are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators.
• 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.
• 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. The name “Executive Mansion” was used in official contexts until President Theodore Roosevelt established the formal name by having “White House–Washington” engraved on the stationery in 1901.

For two hundred years, the White House has stood as a symbol of the Presidency, the United States government, and the American people. This is the home of the President of the United States, and is treated as such with security on hand at all times, and keep in mind in order to visit the White House you have to start the process 3/4 months before you are thinking of going, as security issues have rose since the tragic events of 9/11. Something magical about walking through doors that many amazing legends have also walked through, feeling the essence of America and what it stands for to be American.