The White House

Construction began on the White House in October 1792, and George Washington is the only President to not have lived in it. It is 55,000 square feet, and 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.

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.

The West Wing

The Oval Office and the Presidential staff work in the West Wing. In the 1940's, after going through many changes, the building became officially known as the "West Wing" by Theodore Roosevelt.

Cabinent Room

The cabinet room is the place where the president meets with his cabinet

Diplomatic Reception Room

The Diplomatic Reception Room in the White House serves as an entrance from the South Lawn. The President often receives foreign ambassadors here.

History: This is the room in which Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his Fireside Chats during WWII.

Oval Office

The President often gives TV speeches from the Oval Office, and he meets with advisers here.

History: Although the president may choose the furniture for the room, and has a wide variety of desks available for his use, the flags to either side of the desk always remain stationary.

The Map Room

The Map Room now serves as a private meeting room for the President or the First Lady.

History: The Map Room was used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a situation room from which to follow the course of World War II.

Vermeil Room

The White House Vermeil Room is painted a shade of yellow to complement a collection of vermeil (gilded silver). It serves as a display room and, for formal occasions, as a ladies sitting room.

Lincoln Bedroom

The Lincoln Bedroom has Victorian furnishings from Lincoln's time, and the bed is thought to have been purchased by Lincoln. The room is now used as a guest bedroom for friends of the President.

History: During the Civil War Lincoln used the room to chart progress of the Union Army. He would hang maps and strategies for anticipated battles on the walls.

Library

The White House Library has a collection of 2700 books written by American authors or about American history.

History: The Library was official created in 1935, and in 1961 a committee was appointed to select works representative of a full spectrum of American thought and tradition.

China Room

The China Room displays a collection of White House china from several different presidents, and it was designated by Mrs. Woodrow Wilson in 1917 to display the growing collection of White House china.

History: Almost every past President is represented in the China Room either by state or family china or glassware. The collection is arranged chronologically, beginning to the right of the fireplace. Even the earliest Presidents received government funds to purchase state china. However, as new presidents came into the White House, they would sometimes remove old China and have it sold at auction so as to make room for their china.

State Dining Room

The State Dining Room is used for formal dinners when the President and First Lady are hosting Heads of State. It is one of the two main dining areas, and can hold up to 140 people.

History:
Carved into the mantel below a portrait of President Lincoln is an inscription from a letter written by John Adams on his second night in the White House:
I pray Heaven to Bestow the Best of Blessings on THIS HOUSE and on All that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but honest and Wise Men ever rule under this roof.

East Room

The East Room of the White House is the largest room and is used for entertaining, and large parties and receptions are held there.

History: During the Civil War years and the administration of Abraham Lincoln there was much activity in the East Room. At one time during the war Union troops occupied the room.

During the Ford Administration, Ford's daughter, Susan, held her senior prom in the East Room.

Green Room

The green room is one of the three states rooms. It is used for small receptions, and guests are served cocktails here while they wait for the President and First Lady to arrive.

History:Florence Harding conducted afternoon teas for wounded servicemen here, a tradition that continues today.

Blue Room

The Blue Room is one of the three states room, and it is known for using various shades of blue, and its distinct oval shape. It is where the President formally receives guests.

History: Grover Cleveland wed
Frances Folsom in this room on June 2, 1886.

Red Room

One of the three state reception rooms located in the White House. It is historically decorated in shades of red and has served many purposes, including being used as an area for small dinner parties and as a music parlor.

History: President Hayes lost the popular and electoral vote in 1876 to Samuel Tilden, but Congress overturned the election in favor of Hayes. President Grant was worried that there would be a great disruption from crowds at Hayes's inauguration so he was inaugurated at night in the Red Room.