The White House – Information, Tours and Fun Facts

by Petr Novák, ? The accuracy of the information provided in this article was last verified on this date. If you spot any errors, please let us know in the comments. Thank you. :-) Updated 04/09/2024 Tips for Trips, Washington D. C.

The White House is perhaps the most renowned building in America. The stately residence of the American President stands in the USA capital, resembling more of a luxury hotel than a fairytale mansion. Notably, the president has to cover the cost for all the food his family consumes.

1. Table of Contents

   1. History of the White House
   2. Fun Facts about the White House
   3. Information and Tips for Visitors
   4. White House Photos

   History of the White House

   Construction of the White House began on October 13, 1792, following the design of Irish architect James Hoban. The Late Georgian-style structure was completed in November 1800, with John Adams becoming its first presidential occupant. Interestingly, before this, American presidents had resided in New York and Philadelphia.

   During the British-American War in 1814, the White House was burned down. The interiors were destroyed, and most of the exteriors were blackened by the smoke. After its reconstruction, the walls were repainted with the typical white paint. In 1901, the White House underwent a significant reconstruction when the West Wing was completed. Eight years later, the Oval Office, the most iconic room in the presidential mansion, was inaugurated.

   Minor changes to the White House happen almost continually, with changes in presidents leading to modifications in furniture, carpets, and paintings to match the preferences of each head of state.

   The White House complex includes the residence itself, the East Wing (mainly used by the First Lady), and the West Wing (the office of the President and his administration).

2. Fun Facts about the White House

   The White House spans over six floors and comprises 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, 3 elevators, 5 full-time cooks, a tennis court, a bowling alley named after President Harry S. Truman, a movie theater, a jogging track, a swimming pool, and a small golf course.

   • One USA real estate company estimated the property’s market value at $379,600,000.
   • American presidents are required to pay for everything their family consumes in the White House. At the end of each month, they receive a bill detailing all the food, groceries, drinks, and even toothpaste or soap consumed.
   • A unique presidential beer was brewed right in the White House.
   • The first American president to use a telephone was Rutherford B. Hayes. Despite a machine with the telephone number “1” being introduced to the White House in 1879, it wasn’t widely used at the time. There was simply no one to call.
   • The White House did not receive its name until 1901, thanks to President Theodore Roosevelt. Before that, the President’s residence was referred to as the “Executive Mansion”, “President’s House”, or “President’s Palace”. The White House pays tribute to its name; 2,160 gallons of paint are needed to maintain the building’s hue.
   • President Richard Nixon had a fondness for the fireplace in the Lincoln Room, so much so that he had a replica built in his office. Despite the hot summer days, he kept the fireplace burning, balancing the temperature by using the air conditioner.
   • In 2004, the White House received approximately 65,000 letters a week; the president himself read only 10 of them. He also dealt with 2,500-3,500 phone calls, 1,000 faxes, and 100,000 emails daily.
   • The White House welcomes an average of 6,000 visitors a day. Among them in 1979 was John Paul II, the first pope to visit the White House.
   • Two weddings have taken place at the White House. Tricia Nixon, daughter of President Richard Nixon, married Edward Cox, and Hillary Clinton’s brother Anthony Rodham married Nicole Boxer, daughter of a USA senator.
   • There are replicas of the White House in France and Ireland. The former serves as a tourist attraction, the latter as the Irish Parliament.

3. Information and Tips for Visitors

   📍 Where is the White House

   The address is The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20500, United States of America. You can see the White House on a map.

   🚇 How to Get to the White House

   The White House is hard to miss. If traveling by subway, get off at either the Farragut West Metro Station or Metro Center. The best photographs of the White House are taken from Lafayette Square and from The Ellipse in front.

   It’s recommended to walk from the United States Capitol and around the towering Washington Monument. The walk alone will take you about 40 minutes.

   🪪 White House Tour

   While it is possible to visit the White House grounds, it is quite complicated. USA residents must contact their local senator, while foreigners must request a visit through their embassy in Washington. Requests must be made 3 weeks to 6 months in advance. Unguided tours are free of charge and typically occur from Tuesday to Saturday, but this depends on the current schedule of the USA President.

   A simpler option is to visit The White House Visitor Center.

   • The official White House website

4. White House Photos