When was the White House built in Washington? White House
320 years ago, on October 13, 1792, the foundation stone was laid for the residence of the US President, which in 1901 became known as the White House.
The permanent working residence of the US President is located in the heart of Washington - on Pennsylvania Avenue. The site for the construction of the White House was chosen by the first US President George Washington, who signed an act of Congress ordering the seat of the American government to be “at a distance of no more than 10 miles from the Potomac River.” In 1791, a competition was announced for the best design of the new residence of the US President, which was won by the American architect of Irish origin, James Hoban.
In 1800, US President John Adams and his wife, First Lady Abigail Adams, became the first occupants of the White House. They moved into an unfinished building.
From that moment on, the White House became the permanent residence of all US presidents.
At first, the building was called the “Palace of the President,” “Presidential Mansion,” or “House of the President,” but later the mansion began to be called the White House, as it stood out strongly among the surrounding houses built of red granite. In print, the combination “White House” first appeared in 1810 in the Baltimore Whig newspaper, and in 1901, Theodore Roosevelt officially assigned the name “White House” to the presidential residence in Washington.
The more than two-century history of this building was accompanied by repeated changes and reconstructions. In 1814, during the Anglo-American War (1812-1815), the White House was set on fire by British soldiers. The presidential residence was very badly damaged, the interiors were completely destroyed.
Restoration work began almost immediately and was carried out under the leadership of the author of the house project, James Hoban. After construction was completed, the walls were coated with a mixture of lime, rice glue, casein and lead, which gave the building a white color instead of sand. In October 1817, US President James Monroe moved into the renovated building.
In 1824, a semicircular southern portico was added to the house, and in 1829, a northern one with a colonnade was added.
In 1901, during Theodore Roosevelt's presidency, a West Wing was added to the White House. At the same time, the first, small, eastern wing was built, which served as the entrance for guests during various events.
US President William Taft expanded the West Wing of the White House in 1909, and the first Oval Office was created at the same time.
In 1927, under US President Calvin Coolidge, the attic of the main building was converted into living quarters.
In 1942, during the Second World War, under US President Franklin Roosevelt, the east wing was rebuilt. It was built above the underground Presidential Emergency Operations Center.
By the middle of the 20th century, the building required major repairs - the load-bearing walls and wooden beams were in disrepair. In 1949-1952, during the second term of President Harry Truman, the White House was completely reconstructed. Everything in the house except the walls was dismantled. The wooden frame of the building was replaced with steel, and the interior was rebuilt.
Almost every presidential family that moves into the White House makes some changes to the interiors of this state residence. However, all these changes are coordinated with specialists in historic preservation, architecture, arts and crafts and design who are members of the White House Preservation Committee. By tradition, the chairman of this committee is the president's wife, the First Lady of the United States.
The White House is the only residence in the world of a sitting head of state that is open to the general public.
This is an unusual museum: each presidential family left pieces of their life in it. Martha Washington's sugar bowl and Abigail Adams' silver coffee pot are kept here. In one of the rooms of the palace there is Eleanor Roosevelt's dressing table. Jacqueline Kennedy left a significant mark on the history of the White House. She filled the mansion with the best examples of furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries, asked US museums to donate 150 antique paintings to the White House, and purchased handmade curtains in France. At her request, the historical rooms of the palace changed color. The Red Room became dark cherry, the Green Room became the color of Chartreuse liqueur, and the oval Blue Room became white. It wasn't until Hillary Clinton moved into the White House that the Blue Room regained its deep sapphire color.
The modern White House building has six floors (two of them basements), 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 147 windows, 412 doors, three elevators, 28 fireplaces, and eight staircases. The White House consists of a central part and the eastern and western wings connected to it by colonnades.
In the central part of the building is the presidential residence, where the “first family” lives and various official and ceremonial events are held.
The basement and ground floors of the presidential residence are occupied by technical services.
The first floor of the White House was originally intended to house support services (kitchen, laundry, etc.). Nowadays there is a library, a Diplomatic Reception Hall, a Map Room, a Chinese Room, a Gilded Room, a bowling alley and a number of service premises - a doctor’s office, a kitchen, etc.
The second floor (called the "state floor") is used for various official events - receptions, dinners, press conferences. In the State Dining Room on this floor, the mantelpiece is engraved with words from a letter from President Adams to his wife Abigail, which is called the “White House Prayer”: “I pray that heaven will send all the best gifts to this house and to all who will hereafter live here.” Let only honest, wise people rule under this roof."
Most of the rooms on the third floor of the White House are the living quarters of the President's family, but some are also used for official purposes.
On the last, fourth, floor of the White House there is a music room, a solarium, as well as guest rooms and office space.
All presidential administrative offices are “collected” in the three-story west wing. This is where the Oval Office, the offices of presidential advisers, and the press room are located. In the basement of the west wing there is a situation room designed to work during crises, Secret Service premises, a dining room, and a swimming pool.
The two-story East Wing of the White House houses the office of the First Lady of the United States, the White House Cinema and office space. The nuclear-resistant Presidential Emergency Operations Center is located underground in the east wing.
In addition to the building itself, the White House complex includes the Rose Garden, Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, and the North and South Lawns. Together they form a park with an area of about 7.3 hectares.
Adjacent to the White House complex is the Eisenhower Building, where the US Presidential Administration staff operates.
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
When reading or listening to the news, we often hear the expression “The US White House believes...” (says, does, and so on). The main thing in this phrase, naturally, is the place of concentration of power of the overseas superpower. However, how much do we know about this place? Where is the US White House located? What is he? Who lives there? Let's figure it out.
Location
Naturally, before delving into the essence of this symbol, it is necessary to mention some “geographical” facts. The US White House is located in the capital of this state.
His address is not a secret. Here it is: Washington, Pennsylvania - 1600 Avenue. If you want, go and see for yourself. By the way, Americans are proud of their landmarks, especially symbols of power. They will definitely show and tell you everything. All the country's presidents lived in this building. That is, the US White House is not just the “place of work” of the head of state. He and his family live there. Each president brings something of his own to the interior of the rooms, leaving rarities collected during his work to future generations. By the way, they are collected in the local museum. It is necessary to understand that the US White House (photos presented in the article) is a complex symbol of the power of American democracy, the personification of the achievements of the people.
A little history
The idea to create the White House (USA) came to their first president. took the matter seriously. He was in no hurry because he wanted to build a symbol of real democracy. This monument to the just structure of society had to make an indelible impression on the viewer, and at the same time not repel with officialdom or cumbersome structures. It seemed important to create an image that would not lose its meaning and significance for centuries. D. Washington provided the opportunity for architects to think over and propose their projects, that is, he announced a competition. James Habon was chosen as the winner. Construction work was also in no hurry. They were finished only eight years later, in 1800. D. Washington did not have the chance to settle his brainchild. His successor John Adams was the first to settle there. Since then, the White House of the US President has been rebuilt and reconstructed many times. But the basic style was not changed. Nowadays it occupies a huge space - more than seven hectares.
Architectural style
The creators of this symbol of power decided to focus on conservatism. The US White House (photos presented) was created in the English style. This is most likely natural. Since in those distant times, Great Britain was associated in the minds of people with strength and stability. It itself consists of six floors (two underground). It is perfectly protected. It contains a shelter in case of a nuclear attack. The building has two wings. The premises have various purposes. Thus, the upper floors are given over to public visits. It contains collections collected by the temporary owners of this building. The two middle floors are the personal space of the president's family. The lower ones are used for government events and needs. You can visit the public rooms of the White House on any working day. Tours run from ten o'clock to noon.
The most famous rooms
The US President receives official guests in the very center of the building. This is the Blue Room. It was decorated in sapphire tones. There are always fresh flowers in this room. The main Christmas tree is also placed there. Many people want to personally examine the famous marble countertop, located here. The East Room is considered the largest room in the White House. It is used for holding public events, for example, conferences. The Green Room is famous for the fact that its walls are decorated with silks and there is a portrait on the wall. The owner holds informal receptions in this room. There is a Red Room in the house. It is known for its precious handmade furniture by French craftsmen. Its colors are rich and aggressive. The ceiling is decorated with a gilded chandelier.
Oval Office
This particular room is known to almost every person on the planet.
The head of a superpower, which has been the leader of the democratic world for many years, works here. Fateful decisions are made here that affect the lives of millions of people on Earth. This is where the president most often addresses his voters. Although often the most wonderful speeches are made on the lawn, which is visible from the Blue Room. Known for high-profile scandals. It was here that the story of Monica Lewinsky happened, which compromised one of the owners of the White House. The building itself is rightfully considered a national treasure. Each of its temporary owners considers it their duty to enrich its interior with unique exhibits, which have a huge It is also worth mentioning the unique garden surrounding the building. Its creation was organized by Thomas Jefferson (one of the presidents). Each of the owners of the White House tries to make their contribution to the arrangement of the garden. Yes, it contains hives here. She treats guests to honey at official receptions.
White House- this is the residence of the US President in Washington (English 1600, Pennsylvania Avenue - Pennsylvania Avenue, 1600). It is a mansion in the Palladian style (architect James Hoban). Construction began in 1792 and ended on November 1, 1800. On the same day, the second US President John Adams became its first owner. Featured on the $20 bill.
For Americans, the White House is a symbol of power, stability and prosperity. This is one of the symbols of statehood along with the flag, coat of arms and anthem of the state. The history of the White House goes back centuries, symbolizing the strength and unity of the American nation. Construction of the building, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, began on October 13, 1792. The first name of the White House was different; it was called differently: “Presidential Palace”, “President’s Mansion”, “President’s House”.
Fountain
Historians disagree about the origin of the current name. Some argue that the White House began to be called that way after a fire during the 1812 War between the United States and England. Then the building suffered greatly, and during restoration it was repainted white - hence the name. Other researchers believe that the current name of the White House has been mentioned in official documents since 1809, that is, before the fire. In 1901, by order of President Roosevelt, the name “White House” began to be used on official papers, documents, and state seals. In any case, now the name of the presidential residence is based on the color of the building’s walls: they are covered with a composition of lime, casein, and lead.
Fountains
James Hoban, an Irish-American, was appointed architect of the White House. He was one of nine architects competing to draw up the project. James Hoban's co-author can be considered the first US President George Washington. He made his own adjustments to the project of the future residence. Thanks to Washington, the White House increased its area by almost a third compared to the first version and became more solemn.
For obvious reasons, Americans do not like to advertise that the labor of slaves and emigrants from Scotland, Italy, and Ireland was used in the construction of the country’s main building. Construction lasted more than eight years and cost the American treasury two and a half million dollars. The first residents moved into the White House on November 1, 1800.
The history of the White House renovation
The White House is the residence of the US President in Washington. This is the only residence of a sitting head of state in the world that is open to the public. The history of the construction of the residence is connected with the name of the first US President George Washington, who personally chose the location for his “presidential home” and signed an act of Congress ordering the residence of the American government to be “at a distance of no more than 10 miles from the Potomac River.” In 1791, a competition was announced for the best design of the new residence of the US President, which was won by the American architect James Hobans. Construction of the presidential residence began in October 1792 and ended in 1800 under President John Adams.
Blue room
White House old photo
In the 20s of the 19th century, after a fire, the presidential administration building was rebuilt and painted white. During the reconstruction, western and eastern terraces were added to the building, as well as a semicircular southern portico and a northern colonnaded portico. Since then, the building remained virtually unchanged until the middle of the last century, except for the provision of electricity and telephone.
In 1948, under President Truman, the White House underwent significant renovations, including the construction of a two-story basement that still serves as the headquarters for the operational management of the president's foreign policy and military activities. Currently, the White House occupies an area of about 7.2 hectares. The central part includes living rooms and halls for official receptions. The State Floor contains the East, Green, Blue and Red Rooms, as well as the State and Family Dining Rooms. Family rooms—the Yellow Oval Room, East and West Drawing Rooms—as well as the Presidential Dining Room, Meeting Room, Lincoln Bedroom and King Bedroom are located on the third floor. All presidential administrative offices are “collected” in the west wing. Including the famous Oval Office, where the president holds his most important meetings.
While the exterior of the presidential residence remains virtually unchanged, the interior changes with the arrival of each new president. America's Great Family is allowed to remodel the interior as they see fit, but changes to the so-called State Quarters must be approved by the Building Preservation Committee.
Helicopter
Jacqueline Kennedy left the most significant mark in the history of the White House. It was under Jacqueline Kennedy that many of the residence's historic rooms changed color: the Red Room became dark cherry, the Green Room became the color of chartreuse liqueur, and the oval Blue Room became white. In addition, Jacqueline Kennedy filled the residence with the best examples of furniture from the 18th-19th centuries, asked US museums to donate 150 antique paintings to the White House, purchased expensive handmade curtains in France, and restored everything that could be restored. Mrs. Kennedy herself selected the fabrics for draperies, upholstery and walls, as well as lamps. An interesting fact is known: when Jacqueline Kennedy looked for 19th-century wallpaper from a house museum in Maryland to decorate the White House, this wallpaper was immediately removed from the walls and sent to Washington. But at the same time, many items of the historical furnishings of the White House, which Jacqueline Kennedy considered to be in bad taste, were sold at auction. Designers have been searching for them for many years to restore historical justice.
In the 1990s, under President Bill Clinton, changes were made to the East and Blue Rooms, as well as to the State Reception Hall and the Lincoln Drawing Room. Refurbishment of the Lincoln Bedroom also began and was completed after George W. Bush came to power. In addition, it was under Hilary Clinton that the Blue Room of the White House regained its deep sapphire color.
The first changes made by President George W. Bush to the White House environment were made in the Oval Office, which is the main office of the American president. So, for example, instead of Bill Clinton’s favorite bright blue oval wool carpet with the presidential seal in the middle, Bush ordered a similar carpet, but light cream color, to be placed on the floor in his office. Yellow silk "Clinton" sofas with pinstripes of cherry are replaced by the same ones, but upholstered in simple cream brocade with a subtle pattern. George W. Bush decided to keep the famous oak desk that was John Kennedy's favorite desk and that Clinton used. This table, made from the wood of the English sailing ship Resolute, was presented to the US President in 1880 by Britain's Queen Victoria and is considered a historical relic. The table was also used by Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and, for several months, George HW Bush. In addition, George Bush hung two paintings that he brought from Texas on the walls near his desk. One depicts a fisherman boy, the other a rider on a horse.
White House night
White house drawing
It is also known about George Bush that he was constantly concerned about saving electricity in the White House. During his time, special sensors were installed in some rooms of the house that automatically turn on the lights if someone enters the room, and turn them off when no one is in the room.
Architecture and interiors of the US White House
Americans joke: if you want to see the real America, you don’t have to go to Washington. And there is a lot of truth in this statement. It would probably be difficult to find a city on the entire continent that would be so “un-American.” The reason lies in the very origin of the metropolis and in its original purpose. Washington was built almost like St. Petersburg. Just as Peter the Great once said “here a city will be founded” and built the Northern capital of Russia, so a stick was stuck into the soil of the state of Columbia at one time. And on this site one of the most beautiful and most unusual cities in America was built.
White House
Facade
The history of the building began with George Washington, who personally chose the site for his “presidential home” and signed an act of Congress requiring the seat of the American government to be “not more than 10 miles from the Potomac River.”
Columns
As mentioned above, in 1791 a competition was announced for the best design of the new residence of the US President, in which the American architect of Irish origin James Hobans won, and construction began in October 1792. And although George Washington did a lot to build one of the most famous buildings in the world, he never got to live there.
Main office
Fireplace in the room
Construction dragged on until 1800, when John Adams was already in the presidential chair. It was he, along with his wife Abigail, who became the first occupants of the White House.
Corridor
Priyomnaya
By the way, this house was immediately called white, albeit unofficially, thanks to the light sandstone from which it was built. But only in the late 20s of the last century, when after a fire the oldest administrative building in America was rebuilt and painted white under the leadership of the house's architect, Hobans, President Theodore Roosevelt officially approved this name.
Meeting room
During the reconstruction, Hobans added western and eastern terraces to the building, as well as a semicircular southern portico and a colonnaded northern portico. Since then, the building remained virtually unchanged until the middle of the last century, except for the provision of electricity and telephone.
Scene
Currently, the White House occupies an area of about 7.2 hectares. It has 6 floors (two of them are basements), 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms, 147 windows, 412 doors, 3 elevators, 7 stairs.
Living room
Living room
The main building still remains a residential building, where the apartments of the presidential family are located, the interior of which is designed in the style of the 18th and 19th centuries.
All presidential administrative offices are “collected” in the west wing. Including the famous Oval Office, where the president is known to hold his most important meetings.
The most beautiful room in the house is considered to be the Blue Room, which, however, was not always blue. The fact is that Jacqueline Kennedy, when she was the first lady of the state, tried to literally change the interior design of the White House, as a result, at her request, many of the historical rooms of the palace changed color. The Red Room became dark cherry, the Green Room became the color of Chartreuse liqueur, and the oval Blue Room became white.
It was only when Hillary Clinton moved into the White House that the Blue Room regained its deep sapphire color.
By the way, this is where the main Christmas tree of the country is installed in winter. And although it is much smaller in size, for example, than New York, it is still considered the main one. As decorations, small models of memorials, which are symbols of each of the American states, are hung on the tree. These toys are made by artists in each state, and the best craftsmen in the country compete for the right to make a Christmas model for the next holiday.
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
A few more words about the interior. If the appearance of the residence on Pennsylvania Avenue has remained virtually unchanged since its founding, the interior changes with the arrival of each new president, and especially the first lady.
America's leading family is allowed to redecorate the interior as they see fit (within certain boundaries, of course). So the first lady of the country, like any other woman in the world, begins her housewarming with renovations and a change of scenery.
It is thanks to the first ladies that the White House is the most interesting museum in the country, since each presidential family left fragments of their life in it.
Both Martha Washington's sugar bowl and Abigail Adams' silver coffee pot can be seen here.
One of the palace's 132 rooms contains Eleanor Roosevelt's dressing table. Jacqueline Kennedy, as we have already said, left a significant mark on the history of the White House. She filled the mansion with the best examples of furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries, asked US museums to donate 150 antique paintings to the White House, and purchased handmade curtains in France.
And in the State Dining Room, everyone can read the lines from President Adams’ letter to his wife Abigail, engraved on the mantelpiece, which are a kind of “prayer” of the White House: “I pray that heaven will send down all the best gifts to this house and to all who will hereafter live here. Let only honest, wise people rule under this roof.”
House diagram
The first floor, on which there are 10 rooms, connects the west wing with the east. Once upon a time it was a semi-basement room in which servants lived.
1. Map room
Used for one-on-one meetings between the President and First Lady and guests. During World War II, Franklin Roosevelt used this room as an operations room.
2. Reception
This is actually the entrance to the White House. This is where ambassadors present their credentials to the president.
3. Bronze room
It is also sometimes called the “Golden Room” or the “First Ladies Room.” Here are portraits of some of the president's wives.
4. Porcelain room
It was once a storage room, a fireman's room and a dressing room. Since 1917, a collection of porcelain and glass has been exhibited here, which is replenished with each president. The room is used by first ladies for meetings and small receptions. Traditionally, the interior is decorated in red tones, matching the color of the dress in the portrait of First Lady Grace Coolidge.
5. Library
Until 1935, this room housed a laundry room and then a service locker room. The room acquired its current interior under Bush Jr., previously the library was decorated in green tones. The second floor is called the state floor, since all state receptions take place here. There are eight rooms here. This floor is on the same level as the third floor of the western and eastern wings of the building.
6. Formal dining room
Under Jefferson, the room served as a library and study. At various times there was a living room, then a billiard room and, finally, a dining room.
7. Red room
Under Madison, Lincoln, Grant and Kennedy, the room was used as a music room - in memory of this there is a music stand opposite the fireplace.
8. Blue room
Under Carter, it was his daughter Emmy's playroom, and Ronald Reagan built a small gym here. George Bush Sr. restored the room to its original appearance, and this room is now intended for guests.
9. Green room
Used for meetings and receptions. Traditionally decorated in green tones. In 2007, the interior was updated under the leadership of First Lady Laura Bush: the walls were covered with silk, as under Jacqueline Kennedy, and the brick upholstery of the chairs was replaced with scarlet. The Turkish carpet laid under Nixon was replaced with a new one in the French Savonari style.
10. East room
The largest room in the White House. It is used for press conferences and ceremonies. On the third floor there are living rooms for members of the presidential family, as well as several guest bedrooms. On the fourth floor there are bedrooms, a solarium, a music room, a billiard room, offices and office space.
11. Oval Office
According to tradition, with the arrival of a new administration, the interior is updated, the curtains, the oval carpet with the seal of the head of state and some furniture are changed. Presidents can also borrow art from the vaults. Under Clinton, Rodin’s sculpture “The Thinker” stood in his office. Bush Jr. replaced the statue with paintings of Texas landscapes. The fireplace chairs in Bush's office were initially reddish. But because reporters started calling them pink, Bush ordered the upholstery changed to blue.
12 facts about the White House
Throughout the world, the White House is known as the residence of the US President and one of the symbols of American power. But, like the nation of which it is a symbol, the White House is fraught with mysteries and unexpected surprises.
1. The exact double of the White House is located in Ireland. The architect of the White House was James Hoban, an American of Irish descent who was educated in Dublin. He was one of nine architects competing to draw up the project. According to historians, Hoban took as the basis for the project one of the palaces in Dublin, Leinster House, where the Irish parliament sits today.
2. Another double of the White House is located in France. The White House has been rebuilt several times. At the beginning of the 19th century, President Thomas Jefferson, together with architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe, designed a number of additions to the White House. In 1824, architect James Hoban, based on this project, added some architectural elements, including colonnades. Thus, the semicircular southern colonnade of the White House repeats the shape of the colonnade of Chateau de Rastignac, an elegant French mansion built in 1817.
3. Slave labor was used in the construction of the White House. The land on which Washington was later built was purchased from the states of Virginia and Columbia, where slave labor was still used. According to historical documents, a large number of black workers were involved in the construction of the White House, most of whom were slaves. Black workers worked alongside white workers: they quarried sandstone in a field in Virginia, dug a foundation pit for the White House, laid foundations and fired bricks to build interior walls.
4. Europeans took part in the construction of the White House. The construction of the White House would have been impossible without the participation of European craftsmen and immigrant workers. So, Scottish masons built sandstone walls. Scottish craftsmen also carved the stone into the rose and garland design that today adorns the west entrance. Immigrants from Ireland and Italy did the laying work. In addition, Italian craftsmen also carved decorative stone elements that decorate the columns of the White House. Construction lasted more than eight years and cost the American treasury two and a half million dollars.
5. George Washington never lived in the White House James Hoban's co-author can be considered the first US President, George Washington. It was he who approved the project of the Irish architect, but considered it not large-scale and grandiose enough, so he made his own adjustments to the project of the future residence. Thanks to Washington, the White House increased its area by almost a third compared to the first version and became more solemn. However, President Washington never lived in the White House. In 1800, when the construction of the residence of American presidents was almost completed, the first tenant, the second US President John Adams, moved in. His wife Abigail subsequently repeatedly complained that the president's house was unfinished. Adams lived in the house for only about a year, after which he was succeeded by Thomas Jefferson.
6. The White House for a long time remained the largest house in America. The new capital of the country - Washington - was built according to a pre-developed plan by the French architect Pierre Charles Lanfant, and he conceived the White House in the image and likeness of the huge majestic buildings of Ancient Rome. However, Lanfant's project was not accepted - the much less grandiose project of Hoban and Latrobe was preferred to him. However, the White House was simply huge by the standards of the time. It remained the largest house in America until the end of the Civil War, when active construction began in the country.
7. The White House almost burned down due to the fault of the British army During the War of 1814, the White House almost completely burned down - only the outer walls remained. Washington was set on fire by the British army - in retaliation for the arson of the Parliament building in Ontario, which was set by American soldiers two years earlier, in 1812. Of the artifacts stolen by looters after the fire, the American state managed to save only two: a painting painted by George Washington and a box with jewelry. The latter was returned in 1939 to then US President Roosevelt by a certain Canadian citizen. He said that the jewelry was taken from Washington by his grandfather. After the fire, the White House was rebuilt almost anew, and President James Madison at that time lived in the Octagon House, which later became the headquarters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). President Monroe did not move into the partially reconstructed White House until October 1817.
8. The West Wing of the White House was destroyed by fire In 1929, shortly after the start of the Great Depression, a fire broke out in the West Wing of the White House caused by a short circuit. Almost all the rooms on the first two floors of the West Wing had to be rebuilt after the fire.
9. Under President Roosevelt, the White House was remodeled to accommodate the needs of the disabled. The original builders of the White House could not have foreseen that one day it would be occupied by a disabled president. It became possible to move around the White House in a wheelchair only in 1933, when Franklin Delano Roosevelt assumed the presidency. Because President Roosevelt was paralyzed by polio and could not move freely, the White House was rebuilt to be accessible by a wheelchair. In addition, under Roosevelt, an indoor heated swimming pool appeared in the White House - this was necessary for his treatment.
10. President Truman saved the White House from destruction One hundred and fifty years after its construction, the wooden supports and external load-bearing walls of the White House were significantly weakened. Engineers sounded the alarm, declaring the building unsafe and requiring immediate major repairs. In 1948, President Truman ordered reconstruction and installation of new steel support structures. While the reconstruction lasted, the president's family lived in a nearby mansion, Blair House.
11. The White House used to be called differently. During its two-hundred-year history, the White House has changed several names: it was called the “presidential castle”, and the “presidential palace”, and the “presidential house”. Officially, the White House began to be called that only in 1901, when President Theodore Roosevelt introduced this name into use.
12. The White House was not always white. The White House was built from gray sandstone mined from a mine in Virginia. The sandstone walls were painted white only after the White House was rebuilt after the 1814 fire. It took about 570 gallons of white paint to paint the building. The original wall covering was made from rice paste, casein and lead.
The White House in Washington is one of the most famous places among the population not only of the United States, but of the whole world. There is probably no person in the world who has not heard of him. The White House is located in Washington, the capital of the United States, and is the residence of the President. It is located in the northwestern part of the capital in the District of Columbia. The construction of Washington was carried out in the 90s of the 18th century, and the construction of the White House itself began in October 1792. Even then, everyone knew that this building would become the residence of the President of the United States.
The White House was designed by architect James Hoban. It was made in the neoclassical style. Virginia sandstone was chosen as the material for the construction. Due to the fact that this material was porous, after construction was completed, the walls of the White House were covered with a lime mixture with the addition of rice glue, casein and lead, which determined the color of the building. The grandiose construction lasted for eight years. 233 thousand dollars were spent, and in modern terms this is approximately three million US dollars.
The first person to live in the White House was John Adams, the second President of the United States. This happened in November 1800. Adams was simply delighted with this structure. An excerpt from John Adams' letter to his wife was carved into the residence's formal dining room on the mantelpiece. It said that Adams prayed for the blessing of this house and for all its future inhabitants, so that only honest and wise people would rule and work under this roof.
Initially, this building was called the “House of the President”, “Palace of the President” or “Presidential Mansion”. But in 1811 it began to be called the White House. Officially, this name came from Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States.
Today, the White House is a six-story building with a total area of five thousand square meters. It consists of 35 bathrooms and 132 rooms, there are 8 staircases, 28 fireplaces, 3 elevators, 147 windows and 421 doors. There are also entertainment options such as a jogging track, a swimming pool, a cinema, a tennis court, a bowling alley, and a whole host of office spaces.
The main US family lives in the central part of this residence. All celebrations and official events are usually held here. The White House also includes the West and East Wings. The ensemble of the house is also decorated with the South and North Lawns, the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, and the Rose Garden. White House Park has an area of 7.3 hectares.
The famous Rose Garden was created in 1913 by Ellen Wilson, the wife of the 28th US President Woodrow Wilson. The rose garden is quite small - only 38 by 18 meters, but often serves as a place for receiving famous guests. In addition, it was here that at one time a law was passed assigning the rose the status of the official flower of the United States of America. This law was signed by the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.
Near the East Wing of the White House there is the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, which is named after the wife of John Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States. He rightfully deserved it, because it was she who made a huge contribution to the renovation and restoration of the White House parks.
The Office of the President of the United States operates in the Eisenhower Building, adjacent to the White House complex.
As noted above, the White House is considered one of the most popular attractions in the United States and a favorite place for tourists. But after the September 11 terrorist attacks, the number of excursions was strictly limited due to security concerns. In the list of monuments of the United States, the White House takes an honorable second place after New York's Empire State Building.
Book a hotel in Washington
To get acquainted with the sights of the United States, in particular the interesting places of Washington, you will need to stay somewhere. Especially for you, below are hotels in Washington, divided into three categories: popular hotels, luxury hotels and cheap hotels. Here you can book a hotel room in Washington in advance according to your wishes and financial capabilities. For your convenience, here is information about the location of the hotels relative to the city center, as well as the number of stars.
Simply select the hotel you like by clicking on the “View Hotel” button. Next you will find yourself on a page where you can book a hotel. There you can also find more detailed information about it, reviews, ratings, photographs, location on the map, features and, of course, prices.
If you want to look at other hotels, you can simply select the city “Washington” from above, and a list of all Washington hotels available for booking will open in front of you.
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The White House is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. And like any other building with a centuries-old history, it hides many secrets behind its facades.
website found out about 9 secrets of the White House that are known only to insiders. And at the end of the article you will find out what it is like to live in the White House.
9. Kindergarten
The kindergarten was founded in 1968 as a parting gift from President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife at the end of their presidential term. It was then that the first bronze prints of children's hands were embedded in the stone. Since then, a path with the prints of the presidents' grandchildren and children has symbolized the families' connection to the home they once occupied.
8. Food and drinks
The president's family living in the White House can be compared to a hotel, because at the end of each month the president is billed for food and housekeeping services. Moreover, as former chief executive Harry Walters recalls, all presidential families complain about high prices. In addition to high prices, the president is limited in the choice of drinks - in the White House, all wine served at the table must be only American-made.
7. City in the basement
In order to shop or visit the dentist, members of the presidential family only need to go down to the basement. There, under the northern wing of the building, there were shops, a bowling alley, a dentist's office, a flower shop, a pastry shop, and office space.
6. Secret entrance to the White House
Underground passages between the Treasury and the Department arose in the 1920s to protect employees during an armed attack; during World War II, it was decided to connect them to the east wing of the White House. It is unknown whether the secret passage is currently in use, but the entrance to it is under 24-hour video surveillance and protected by a barrier.
5. Outdated technology
Until recently, the White House used outdated technologies, from organizing management to storing important documents. Slow Internet without Wi-Fi support, black-and-white printers, floppy disks and outdated telephones often caused delays in the work of the presidential administration.
4. Blue Goose Catwalk
There are two podiums in the White House briefing room, one of which is called the Blue Goose. This unique structure is used only when the president speaks and primarily ensures his safety thanks to bulletproof materials, an unusual shape and an increased height. Before each presentation, the podium is thoroughly checked and a special presidential emblem is attached to it.
3. US Government Conference Room
Only the President has the right to hold meetings in this room. This right is symbolically expressed in the presidential chair, which is 5 cm higher than the others. In addition, under the table there is a special “presidential button”, which many mistake for the button from the “nuclear suitcase”. In fact, this is a button to call the president's personal waiter.
2. Holidays
In addition to lavish wedding celebrations, the White House also hosts more unusual events. So, in 1835, President Andrew Johnson held a “cheese party”, where more than 10 thousand people were present. And in 1975, a graduation ceremony was held for the daughter of the 38th president, Susan Ford, the only one in the history of the official residence. The cost of one ticket was $1,300.