Although it wasn’t dubbed the White House until President Teddy Roosevelt did so in 1901, the White House held an important spot in the public consciousness of the American people from 1800, when the house was first inhabited by John and Abigail Adams. The White House, a large, elegant house, which has 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms and 6 levels to accommodate not only the presidents and their families, but all of the presidential staff who work there, is the heart of the D.C.
Since the White House combines both the personal and work lives of the President in one spot, it is the place where all important dignitaries and leaders, from all over the world, are hosted. The White House has five full-time chefs and the kitchen is able handle serving a 140-person dinner and a cocktail party of a 1,000. The White House residents do more than work, however. A swimming pool, movie theater, bowling alley, tennis court and track give the presidential family and White House staff a place to kickback and relax.
Interesting Facts
The White House survived burning by British troops in 1814.
Thomas Jefferson started White House tours.
The cornerstone of the White house was laid October 13, 1792.
James Hoban designed the White House.
Painters covered the walls with a whitewash to keep water and ice from seeping inside the walls and breaking them apart.
The construction of the White House started in 1792.
In 1800, John Adams was the first resident of the White House.
The total cost of building was $232,372.
Many of the workers who built the White House were slaves.
Between 1795-1800, 112 African Americans were used as manual labor.
When the White House was completed, it was the largest house in the United States.
