History

History

The White House is part of the heart of the United States. George Washington himself selected the architect who would build it, James Hoban.

It has survived two fires: One that the British set in 1814 during the War of 1812, and then another one in the West Wing in 1929.

There are many important historical events that have occurred in the White House. It has housed every president except George Washington, and the lives, style, and history of each president has been embedded into this historic house. It has been known by many other names including the "President's Palace," "Presidential Mansion," and "President's House". It was officially give the title "White House" by Theodore Roosevelt in 1901 when he had it engraved on the stationery.


Fun Facts

1. Thomas Jefferson was the first president to allow tours through the White House, this has continued throughout history, except in times of War.
2. Frances Folsom married Grover Cleveland when she was 21, making her the youngest first lady in history.
3. The first bath tubs in the White House were portable and made of tin; water was hauled in buckets.
4. The White House has a variety of facilities available to its residents, including a tennis court, a jogging track, swimming pool, movie theater, billiard room, putting green, and a bowling lane.
5. The indoor pool was built for President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of his therapy for dealing with Polio.
6. After exploring the Louisiana Territory, Lewis and Clark returned to Washington with a gift for the President Thomas Jefferson, ­ two grizzly cubs never before seen on the East coast. Jefferson was fascinated with them and ordered a cage built for the White House lawn so all citizens could see the bears. It wasn't long before they grew to an alarming size and then transferred to new housing at the Washington Zoo.