Layout and rooms

There are several parts to the White House, including the residence of the president and the president's family, the West Wing, and the East Wing. In addition, some rooms on the first floor of the White House are sometimes open to the public for touring. Among them are the famous Red, Blue, and Green rooms, named for the main color used in each room's decoration. Another room on the tour is the East Room, which is so large that President Theodore Roosevelt's children used to roller-skate in it. Usually, however, the room is used for gatherings such as dances, concerts, weddings, and funerals. The State Dining Room, also sometimes open to the public on the tour, can seat up to 140 guests.

The second floor of the main building of the White House contains the presidential family's private living space. Both the second and third floors contain rooms for guests. The family and guests often make use of the White House's recreational offerings, such as the movie theater, swimming pool, tennis court, jogging track, and library.

The West and East wings of the White House were constructed to allow more room for official business. The president's office, known as the Oval Office, is located in the West Wing. When the president appears on television to make a speech, he is often sitting in the Oval Office. Press rooms and rooms for the president's staff are also located in the West Wing. The East Wing holds other offices, including those of the First Lady (the president's wife) and her staff.

Gardens and lush lawns surround the White House and serve as the site for various events. Since the late 1800s, children have gathered on the Monday following Easter for the White House Easter Egg Roll.

Employees

In addition to the president and his staff, a variety of other people work at the White House, including chefs, housekeepers, engineers, gardeners, and security guards. While today the money for supplies, repairs, utilities, and employees' salaries at the White House comes from the federal government, this was not always the case. Early presidents were responsible for paying the costs of running the White House.

History

In 1790 Washington, D.C., was chosen as the site for the new capital of the United States. Two years later Irish-born architect James Hoban won a contest to come up with a design for the “President's House.” City planner Pierre-Charles L'Enfant chose the site for the new building and construction began in October 1792. The first United States president, George Washington, and his wife Martha did not live in the White House because it was being built during his presidency. Therefore, the first residents were John Adams, second president of the United States, and his wife Abigail. Although some rooms were complete, the mansion was not yet finished when they arrived in 1800.

In 1814, during the War of 1812, the British set the White House on fire. The mansion was rebuilt, and President James Monroe and his family moved in during 1817. Changes made to the White House in the 19th century included installing gas lighting, city water, bathrooms, and electricity.

During Theodore Roosevelt's presidency at the beginning of the 20th century, the White House was remodeled to make more space. At this time the West Wing was added and “White House” became the official name of the mansion. More changes to the White House took place from 1948 to 1952, during Harry Truman's administration, when engineers feared that the building was in danger of collapsing. The inside was completely rebuilt, but the original outside walls were left standing.

National interest in the White House grew when Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of John F. Kennedy, conducted a televised tour of the mansion in 1962. She helped to make the White House a center of national culture by displaying items of historic and artistic value throughout its rooms. The White House is a unit of the National Capital Parks system.