White House in Washington. More than just the White House: interesting facts about the residence of the US President
Stelmakh T.
One can easily put an equal sign between the White House and the US administration. However, this building began its history somewhat later than the declaration of independence of the American state. George Washington, as the first President of the United States, did not yet have an official residence. The White House was completed in 1800, when John Adams was president.
The White House address is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C. It is a mansion made in the style of early classicism, which is characterized by adherence to the strict principles of symmetry and classical architecture of Ancient Greece and Rome. The author of the project was the Irish-born architect James Hoban, although the city of Washington itself was built under the leadership of the Frenchman Pierre Charles Lefant. The co-author was the first US President himself. Historians are inclined to believe that the basis was taken from one of the palaces in Dublin - Leinster House - now the seat of parliament. The project was approved, construction began on October 13, 1772. 8 years and $2.5 million later, everything was ready, and the second president and the first lady moved into the house.
The residence did not immediately acquire its famous name. It was called the “House of Presidents”, and the “Presidential Palace”, and the “Presidential Castle”. Officially, the combination “White House” appeared in 1901 under Theodore Roosevelt and became firmly established in everyday use.
However, the White House we see today is very different from 
model of 1800. Each visiting president could reconstruct the house at his own request. In 1814, it was completely burned by British troops - nothing remained but the walls. All property was stolen by looters. Later, only a painting by George Washington and some jewelry were returned. James Hoban had to restore the structure, following the original. True, this time the walls were painted white instead of sand color. Then the house began to be called “White”. During the next reconstruction under the direction of T. Jefferson, the eastern and western colonnades were added. In 1824 and 1829, two galleries were added to the house. In 1835, running water and central heating were installed in the White House. On the eve of the Civil War, it became obvious that the house was simply overcrowded with people and a new expansion was needed. This is how the West Wing was completed. In 1901, electrification was carried out. Under W. Taft, the first Oval Office was designed.
The next misfortune befell the White House in 1929, when a fire occurred in 
West Wing. All rooms on the first and second floors of this wing had to be restored from scratch. When F. Roosevelt became president, the house was forced to be remodeled - it was not suitable for the movement of a person in a wheelchair. In addition, an indoor heated swimming pool was created so that the president could undergo medical procedures. In 1948, under G. Truman, a two-story basement appeared in the building, which served as the headquarters for the operational management of military actions. He also saved the house from complete destruction when it turned out that the existing wooden supports were completely rotten. After that they were replaced with steel ones. The White House underwent truly grandiose transformations during the time of J. Kennedy's wife, Jacqueline. For each individual room, she thought out its own interior in the best traditions of the French Empire or the Victorian era, and filled the house with antique furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries. and museum exhibits. The house was constantly replenished with new relics and antiques. Only under R. Nixon's wife, Pat, 600 new ones appeared. Here you can see Martha Washington's sugar bowl, Abigail Adams' silver coffee pot, and Eleanor Roosevelt's dressing table. Despite repeated reconstructions, James Hoban's original design has been preserved.
Today, the White House, together with the surrounding area, covers an area of about 7.2 hectares, it has 6 floors, 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases and 3 elevators, a tennis court, a golf course, several jogging tracks tracks, swimming pool, bowling alley and cinema. The central part includes living rooms and halls for official receptions. The most beautiful is the Blue Room, which was repainted white through the efforts of Jackie Kennedy and returned to its traditional color only under Hillary Clinton. This is one of three oval-shaped rooms. It is used for receptions or small dinners. Above the Blue Room is the Yellow Oval room. Currently, it is a meeting place for heads of state on the eve of an official dinner. On the ground floor there is a third oval room - the Diplomatic Reception Room, through which you can enter the White House. In this room, the president holds meetings with foreign ambassadors and receives heads of state.
Other famous corners of the White House are the Green Room (a place for tea drinking), the Red Room (a small living room and music room), the China Room (a collection of porcelain items), the Map Room (which During the war, F. Roosevelt studied maps), etc. Most of the rooms described above, as well as dining rooms, are located on the State Floor. All family rooms - bedrooms and living rooms - are located on the third. The world famous Oval Office is located in the West Wing on the same floor.
Interesting facts about the White House:
- One of the White House colonnades is “copied” from the French mansion “Chаteau de Rastignac”.
Slave labor was used during construction. European craftsmen and immigrant workers took part in the work. The ornaments were the work of the Scots, the masonry was the work of the Irish and Italians.
For a long time, the White House remained the largest house in America.
While the reconstruction was underway, J. Madison lived in the Octagon House, now the headquarters of the American Institute of Architects, and F. Roosevelt lived in the neighboring Blair House mansion.
5 chefs work in the kitchen around the clock, ready at any time to serve lunch for 140 people and more than 1000 light snacks.
On the eve of the Christmas holidays, the country's main Christmas tree is installed in the White House.
Based on materials from sites:
Little-known facts about the White House http://clubs.ya.ru/4611686018427398066/replies.xml?item_no=265404
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In the movie Independence Day, aliens blew up the White House, the image of which adorns the 20 USD banknote. However, it is not this fact that puts the White House in the ranking of US attractions in an honorable second place after the Empire State Building in New York. First of all, the White House is a symbol of the American nation and the power of presidential power. It's already the third century The White house symbolizes the strength of the nation and the presidential power of the United States. The classic architecture of this building, located on Pennsylvania Avenue, is quite laconic, but at the same time elegant and sophisticated.
For the third century now, the White House has symbolized the strength of the nation and the presidential power of the United States.
Statistics show that many Russians confuse the White House with the Capitol, the building in which the US Congress meets. To avoid confusion, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the history of the legendary White House
At the start of construction and project implementation
The first stone of the official residence of American presidents, known throughout the world as the White House, was laid in Washington on October 13, 1792 at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The site of the "Presidential Palace", or "Presidential Mansion", or "President's House", as the White House was originally called, it was chosen by George Washington himself, the first president of the United States of America. According to the ruler, it was to be a place “not exceeding ten square miles...on the Potomac River.”
The first stone of the official residence of American presidents, known throughout the world as the White House, was laid in Washington on October 13, 1792.
The President also acted as a co-author of the building project, the main developer of which was the architect James Hoben. deservedly won the competition announced by George Washington in 1790 to develop an architectural design for the residence.
According to the project, the building of the presidential residence was to be designed in the Palladian style, which was based on borrowing the principles of classical temple architecture of Ancient Greece and strict adherence to symmetry. $2.5 million was allocated for the construction of the White House.
The Presidential Palace welcomes its first guests
The project of George Washington and James Hoben was fully materialized by the early summer of 1800. The date June 4, 1800 is considered the day the construction of the White House was completed. The completed building of the presidential residence fully corresponded to the ideas of its architectural authors.
Unfortunately, construction that dragged on for 8 years deprived George Washington of the right to become the first honored resident of the “Presidential Palace”.
Unfortunately, construction that dragged on for 8 years deprived George Washington of the right to become the first honored resident of the “Presidential Palace”. At the time of the opening of the White House, November 1, 1800, the country had already been led by the second president, John Adams, for several years, and it was he who moved into the luxurious mansion with his wife Abigail.
“I pray that heaven will send all the best gifts to this house and to all who will subsequently live here. Let only honest, wise people rule under this roof,” are the words carved from John Adams’ letter to the First Lady on the fireplace in the State Dining Room of the residence.
The mystery of the name
There are several versions regarding the origin of the current name of the residence. According to one of them, the presidential mansion began to be called the White House, since it, lined with white Virginia sandstone and covered with a composition of lime, casein and lead, clearly stood out against the background of the surrounding red granite buildings.
Some scholars note that the name White House was first used in 1811, that is, 11 years after construction was completed. However, historians do not name the reason for the name.
However, there is another version. The opinion of some historians is that the residence began to be called the White House only after restoration work carried out to eliminate the consequences of the fire of 1814. It is believed that it was during this global restoration that the building was painted white.
Be that as it may, the name White House was officially assigned to the building only a century after the opening of the residence, in 1901, by Theodore Roosevelt.
Time for architectural change
The first century for the White House was an era of destruction and new life. In the 19th century, the White House expanded significantly: in 1801, the western and eastern terraces were added to the building.
The residence underwent a special reconstruction after the War of 1812. In August 1814, the "Presidential Palace" was burned by the British. Work to restore the mansion began almost immediately, and by 1817 the White House appeared before the people as good as new. Moreover, two underground floors appeared in the building, where the headquarters for the operational management of foreign policy and military actions of the president was located. The rounded southern portico was added to the building in 1824, and the northern columned portico six years later.
At the beginning of the 20th century, in 1901 (during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt), the White House acquired two wings - the West, in which the first Oval Office was created 8 years later, and the East, which served as the entrance for guests. By the way, the East Wing acquired its modern appearance only in 1942. In 1927, the attic of the mansion was rebuilt into living quarters. And two years later, in order to eliminate the consequences of a strong fire, restoration work was carried out in the West Wing.
By the mid-20th century, the building required major renovations. In this connection, under President Harry Truman, in 1949-1952, a major reconstruction of the White House was carried out. The building's wooden frame was replaced with steel, and the interior was remodeled.
Today, the White House is a six-story building with 132 rooms, three elevators and many staircases. Tourists who come here on an excursion have a unique opportunity to explore the most beautiful and historically significant premises. The famous “colorful rooms” (Blue, Green, Eastern and Red) are open to the public, where special events and business and personal meetings are held. Guests are received in the stunning Dining Room, and the Oval Office is the president's own workplace. Two entire floors are dedicated to these and other reception rooms; the rest belong to the presidential family (in addition to the basement).
Tour of the President's Residence
The White House is located in the heart of the US capital and is an integral part of the Presidential Park, which covers an area of 7.2 hectares. The White House ensemble also includes amazing gardens - on the west side there is the Rose Garden created by Woodrow Wilson's wife, and near the East Wing there is the beautiful Jacqueline Kennedy Garden.
The White House is located in the heart of the US capital and is an integral part of the Presidential Park, which covers an area of 7.2 hectares.
The building of the presidential residence itself has 6 floors, 2 of which are underground. The total area of the building is more than 5 thousand square meters. m. The White House has 132 rooms, including the famous colored rooms: the Oval Blue Room for formal receptions, the Green Room for informal meetings, the Red Room, as well as the Family Dining Room, the Great Hall, the Cross Room, and the Oval Office, where the President himself, the Dining Room for official receptions and other rooms. The building also has 32 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases and 3 elevators.
Interior of the "Presidential House"
The interior of the White House has changed several times. Since the mid-20th century, each presidential family considered it necessary to add something of its own, special, to the decoration of the mansion. However, despite all the changes, the interior of the White House remains in the style of the 18th and 19th centuries to this day. Moreover, all work related to changes in the design of the residence on the state floors must certainly be approved by a special White House Board Committee.
Today, walking through the rooms of the White House that are open to the public, you can see things that once belonged to members of the presidential families. For example, Eleanor Roosevelt's dressing table or Abigail Adams' silver coffee pot.
Visit to the White House
Anyone can visit the presidential residence any day from Tuesday to Saturday. Premises on two floors are open for excursions.
The doors of the White House were first opened to the general public under Thomas Jefferson.
By the way, the doors of the White House were opened to the general public for the first time under Thomas Jefferson. In 1805, the third President of the United States received guests for the first time in the Blue Drawing Room. The reception included people who followed the president to the White House after his swearing-in at the Capitol. Soon Jefferson opened the doors of the residence to everyone. He also introduced the tradition of hosting receptions at the White House in honor of the New Year and Independence Day, celebrated annually on July 4th.
One of the legendary buildings of the Russian capital is the White House. Most tourists are interested in seeing it with their own eyes.When was the Government House built in Moscow and how was it?
Even the indigenous residents of the Mother See do not know all the details of the history of the building.
The so-called White House is a building on the banks of the Moscow River (Krasnopresnenskaya embankment, 2) with a height of 102 meters without a flagpole and a total area of almost 173 thousand square meters. Visually, the building is divided into three parts: a pedestal, a lower tier and an upper tier with a small tower in the “cap”.Construction of the Government House
The old name of this institution is the House of Soviets. The idea of its construction appeared in the early sixties of the 20th century, when all the Stalinist High-rises had already been built. The Soviet government wanted to build a building no less impressive in size and beauty.The project was based on the developments of the Aeroflot House, owned by the architect Dmitry Chechulin. The authorities never got around to implementing them, but they were useful for the House of Soviets of the RSFSR. The construction of the latter was entrusted to the same Chechulin and his colleague Pavel Steller.
The first brick of the new building was laid in 1965, and the work was completed only almost fourteen years later - in 1979. The architects coped with the task “excellently”, erecting a real architectural masterpiece. It takes into account all the subtleties and thinks out every little detail. The high professionalism of the authors of the project is evidenced by the fact that there is not a single front window in the building that does not overlook the embankment and does not reveal picturesque river views to the owners and visitors of the Government House.
The interior decoration of the building is also beyond praise. 27 comfortable meeting rooms and numerous offices boast a refined and luxurious interior.
Reconstruction of the White House in Moscow
Special pages in the annals of the White House are 1991 and 1993, when it became the epicenter of mass protests in Russia. For the first time, everything went relatively peacefully - protesters gathered under the walls of the building, disagreeing with the actions of the organizers of the August Putsch. It was from this moment that the House began to be called White, and the actions forever went down in history with the legendary speech of Boris Yeltsin, who climbed onto a tank.The second time, however, it was not possible to escape with a “slight fright.” The protests were expressed much harsher: blood was shed. And the House of Soviets was seriously damaged by shells and fire. Footage of the shooting of the building in which officials and deputies were hiding then spread throughout the world.
After events that forever went down in the history of Russia and the White House, the latter required serious repairs. The reconstruction took several months and required more money than the construction of the building itself. During its course, the clock on the turret was replaced with the coat of arms of Russia, and a fence appeared around the building, reducing the risk of future attacks on the White House by protesters.
After major renovations, the Russian government “settled” in the building, which explains the modern name of the legendary Soviet-era building.
America's most famous home, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, DC. The names of its rooms can form a whole palette. All American presidents live in this house, starting with the second, John Adams. All this is the White House in Washington. Ekaterina Astafieva will talk about the history of the official residence of US presidents.
Who-who lives in the White House?
Contrary to popular belief, not all American presidents have lived in the White House. The first head of state, George Washington, still did without his own residence, and the famous building was built only in 1800, when Washington was already replaced in office by John Adams. “I pray for the blessing of this house, all its future residents, and that only honest and wise people rule under this roof,” these were the words the first owner of the White House wrote to his wife. This saying can be found on the fireplace in the building's State Dining Room.
The first owner of the White House was the second US President John Adams
Famous White House
Whose hands are they doing?
Construction of the White House began in 1792. The design of the residence was entrusted to the architect James Hoban. Washington first met him during his Southern Tour in 1791. Hoban was working on the creation of a courthouse in Charleston at the time. The President even organized a small architectural competition, which Hoban quickly won. By 1800, the building was completed - it took 8 years and 2.5 million dollars. Interestingly, slave labor was used at the construction site. European craftsmen and immigrant workers from different countries also had a hand in decorating the White House.
Building design from 1793
Anglo-American War
But the White House did not have the chance to stand in its original form for long. In 1801, the Western and Eastern colonnades were added to the building. And in 1812, war broke out between England and America, which became fatal for the presidential residence. On August 24, 1814, British troops entered Washington and set fire to most of the buildings in the city, including the Capitol, the Treasury and the White House. The capital of America was plundered; the British took a huge amount of valuables from the White House as military booty. Later, they managed to return some jewelry and a painting that George Washington himself painted.
In 1814, British troops burned down the White House.
White House in August 1814
And your whole house is white!
James Hoban had to restore the building in accordance with the original design, and by 1817 the construction had already been completed. So the White House we know today is very similar, but not original. The building was built in the style of early classicism or, as is sometimes said, in the Palladian style. The principles of strict symmetry were inherited from Ancient Greece. Historians have noted the similarities between the White House and Leinster House in Dublin, where Parliament now sits. Perhaps this is not surprising, since the architect Hoban had Irish roots. During reconstruction, the original sand color of the building was replaced with white, and it was then that the presidential residence received its famous name. But officially only Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, began to call his home the White House.
Built to last
At different times, some other parts were added to the White House. For example, the south and north porticos were added in the 1820s. At the very beginning of the 20th century, the presidential residence was no longer able to accommodate all the people living in it, so it was decided to increase the number of premises. Thanks to this, the White House acquired a Western and a small East wing. In the form in which we know it today, the East Wing was built only in 1942. In 1929, residents of the White House again became fire victims: a fire destroyed almost all the rooms on the first and second floors.
The White House was originally sand colored
Reconstruction of the White House under Truman
Many innovations came to the President's House during the administration of Franklin Roosevelt, who had been confined to a wheelchair since the 1920s. Ramps were installed throughout the White House, and an indoor warm pool was built right on the premises so that the president could undergo medical procedures. In 1948, Harry Truman decided to equip his home with a special two-story basement, which he used as a headquarters for the operational management of military operations. The same basement saved the White House from complete destruction, when a little later it turned out that the wooden beams on which the building rested were rotten and were about to collapse.
Rooms of all colors of the rainbow
The White House is set up quite simply. On the ground floor of the building there is the Map Room (this is where Franklin Roosevelt worked with maps), the Diplomatic Reception Hall, the Gilded Room and the Chinese Room. The latter houses a unique collection of Chinese art. On the floor above are the State Dining Room, the Red, Blue and Green Rooms, the Family Dining Room and the East Room. By the way, the last one is the largest room in the mansion. The world famous Oval Office, where the President spends his working hours, is located in the West Wing. The third floor of the building is often called the “family” floor, since this is where the rooms of the president’s family are located.
Next to the White House there is a garden named after Jacqueline Kennedy
President Obama's inauguration in the Blue Room
Work for the First Lady
It's hard to imagine the White House without the First Lady. The presidents' wives greatly influenced the appearance and atmosphere of the residence. For example, the wife of 23rd President Benjamin Harrison, Caroline, began collecting a collection for the Chinese Room.
The famous Jacqueline Kennedy thought out the interior for each individual room in the traditions of the Victorian era, and decorated the house with antique furniture. There is even a garden adjacent to the White House named after Jacqueline.
John Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy in the Yellow Oval Room
Richard Nixon's wife Pat purchased about 600 antiques for the mansion. We can say that almost every presidential family brings something new to the appearance of the building. All changes must be approved by the special White House Preservation Committee, which is chaired by the First Lady.
Over the two hundred years of existence of this house, there was so much that was not there - from animals to ghosts, secret passages, bunkers, swimming pools and even a bowling club...
The White House is the official residence of the President of the United States, located in Washington. All American presidents, with the exception of George Washington, under whom it was built, were “registered” here.
A symbol of "USA, democracy and freedom", the White House is a Palladian-style mansion (architect James Hoban). Construction began in 1792 and ended on November 1, 1800. On the same day, the second US President, J. Adams, became its first “owner”.
The White House is open to the public at designated times, but visiting the residences of the President and his family, as well as all private properties, is not always possible.
The White House has a press and media area. Tom Hanks even made a personal gift to the press office: two coffee machines when he learned that the press corps was living “decaffeinated”... And this is just one of many interesting facts about the White House that you will never know knew!
Animal house
In general, the White House has always been a place where not only presidents lived, but also many different animals. President Hoover, for example, kept two alligators and rarely locked them up. Jefferson had a mockingbird that flew around his house. John Q Adams also kept a crocodile in his upstairs bathroom. One of Adams' assistants fed the pet "according to job descriptions."
In addition to this, there was a period of time when the White House was more like Animal House, the John Belushi comedy. The 1820s were a time of open doors. Anyone and everyone could always come here. And visitors had to ensure a comfortable stay. Including alcohol! There are cases where visitors were lured out of the house by placing bottles of liquor and wine on the lawn. And everything turned into a party... Today it would be an absolute nightmare for the intelligence services.
Big? More! Even more!
When the White House was designed, its architect, Pierre Charles Lanfant, wanted to make a very unique mansion: as an example, he imagined the residences of French kings... President George Washington, who oversaw the construction of his new residence, hated Lanfant's work. And he finally fired him. The work was completed in accordance with James Hoban.
As a result, the residence became five times smaller than its original author wanted. However, it was still the largest house in the United States when it was built.
It remained so until the Civil War, but after it it lost the title of “largest house” in the country - mansions, and then skyscrapers, began to be built everywhere.
The White House is on fire
On December 24, 1929, a fire broke out in the west wing due to a short circuit. It was classified as 4-point in terms of power. The fire caused blockages in all internal air ducts and sewers. Unfortunately, the White House did not even have fire insurance, but the tenants managed to get money from Congress and most of the interior spaces were completely rebuilt and reconstructed.
A fire broke out in the attic during the Yule Ball. The employee smelled smoke and reported it to the president and his aides. They were able to save many of the president's personal belongings, as well as shelter his office from further damage after the fire. But the press center suffered the most: photo archives, articles and materials were lost.
Mr. Lincoln's Shadow
It is said that when Winston Churchill stayed at the White House, he spent the night in President Lincoln's old bedroom. The next day, Churchill left the White House in great haste. He probably saw the ghost of the late president emerging from the bathtub.
Churchill returned to the White House more than once, but since then he has never stayed in the Lincoln Bedroom.
Should he be blamed for cowardice? After all, the British Prime Minister is not the first and not the last who saw the ghost of Abraham... True, before him it was mostly ladies.
White House Twin
Yes Yes. The White House has a double. It was built in Ireland in 1745-1747 and is called the "mini White House".
There is an opinion that James Hoban, whose designs were used to complete the construction of the residence of US presidents, saw sketches of Leinster House before submitting his own project for the “presidential residence” to the George Washington competition. There is also a slight possibility that it was inspired by the Irish President's residence in Phoenix Park, Dublin. After all, Hoban grew up and studied in Ireland. And after his project won, he decided to stay in America. He made a name for himself and a wonderful career, by the way!
Secret tunnels
Indeed, there are secret tunnels under the White House. Approximately 6 floors deep there is a bunker under the eastern wing. They say there is a hole from the Oval Office into a secure bunker.
The only thing that is known for sure is that after Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt built a bomb shelter that provided access to the basement of the Treasury building. The room especially for the president looks like a concrete box. Roosevelt saw him once in his life. Several US Presidents have since also toured the site, but it was more of a tribute to a difficult time in America's great history.
Breakdown in the ventilation system
In 1909, President Taft really wanted air conditioning, so he went out and bought himself something like a cooling system. This system looked like this: huge fans were installed in the attic of the White House, with ice standing in vats next to them. The cold air would flow down the ductwork and cool the entire house.
In theory it looks convincing, but in practice it didn’t work at all. Even the attic couldn't cool down. Since there was no way to keep the air at the required low temperature, warm and dusty currents blew through the house, to the great displeasure of the cleaners. Fortunately, Taft gave in in time and stopped using his home air conditioning system.
It's getting warm...
President Nixon was impressed when he first saw the shower in the presidential bathroom. His predecessor, Lyndon Johnson, had very specific requirements for this shower. Well, very specific...
The plumber who was responsible for designing the shower worked on the system for five long years... Yes, yes. Five. Trying to get a "Johnson standard shower". The poor plumber even ended up in a mental hospital.
President Johnson was obsessed: he demanded that hot water flow into the faucet at high pressure. The nozzles had to be positioned at the “just right” height: spray on the buttocks and spray on the genitals.
By the way, President Johnson has never publicly commented on issues related to his spiritual preferences.
Dinner is served!
The White House kitchen is equipped with the latest technology. It is capable of serving 140 guests at a time. The kitchen employs 5 chefs who serve the President's family, White House staff and guests.
State dinners are matters of national importance, and watching how everything is arranged behind the scenes is like being a spectator at a theatrical performance. Everything is so perfectly planned.
President John Adams and his wife Abigail established an orchard and vegetable garden where they grew their own fresh produce. President Jackson had a greenhouse, which was demolished in 1902 to make way for the west wing. At one point there were even tropical fruits grown in the White House garden.
First Lady Michelle Obama planted a large vegetable garden, which is quite relevant today. The pediatrician recommended that her children eat more vegetables and fruits. The main family of the state ate fresh vegetables, and even gave part of the harvest for soup to the local kitchen! The White House even has an apiary to make your own honey.
Architects competition
President George Washington was extremely dissatisfied with the work of Charles Lanfant, the architect who was originally supposed to build the White House. He fired him and then announced a competition for the project to build a presidential residence.
This has received a lot of attention from extremely talented designers. Nine projects were carefully judged and were wonderful examples of modern architecture, but only one could be declared the winner. By the way, one of the participants in the competition was Thomas Jefferson. He sent his sketch without mentioning his real name.
The winner was the Irishman James Hoban, who replaced Lanfant and built the White House.
President Jefferson's anonymous sketch did not win, which, of course, surprised many: he was a very talented man, and his love of architecture is evidenced by his residence at Monticello.
How much does it cost to build a house?
Until the end of the Civil War, the house at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue was considered the largest in the United States. Construction began in 1792, and the House's first occupants, President John Adams and his wife Abigail, moved in in 1800. Their home was then valued at $232,372!
If the White House were put up for auction today, then, according to independent experts, its cost would be $320 million. Not very surprising, is it? Especially when you consider the amenities it has: a movie theater, a dental office, a bowling alley, a swimming pool, a tennis court, and, of course, 16 bedrooms and 35 bathrooms.
The White House is a city that can support itself. Super luxurious accommodation with all the amenities you could ever dream of!
Bitterly!
I wonder if anyone had a wedding in the White House?
Yes. In 1820, Maria Monroe married her cousin, Samuel Gouverneur, in the East Room of the White House. In 1828, Mary Hellen married the youngest of John Adams' three sons. Which, however, was somewhat unexpected, since Mary was engaged to her eldest son, had close contact with her middle son for a long time, and finally married John II! Family dinners were probably a big awkward place for the first few years of marriage...
In 1886, the only president to get married in the White House was Grover Cleveland. Cleveland, 49, married 21-year-old Frances Folsom.
And in 1906, socialite Alice Roosevelt married Nicholas Longworth. It was a huge wedding with 1000 guests. In 1971, Trisha Nixon (pictured) married Edward Cox in the White House Rose Garden. Her wedding was broadcast on television to the whole world...
Of course, there have been other presidents who got married while in office, but they did not celebrate the occasion in the White House.
Let there be light!
Electricity was installed in the White House in 1891. President Benjamin Harrison and his wife Caroline were so frightened by this innovation that they refused to turn on the lights themselves. This function was performed by butlers.
President Lyndon Johnson earned the nickname "Light Bulb Johnson" for turning off lights almost everywhere, even while people were working in the room. His explanation was simple: he didn't want to waste a single extra taxpayer dollar. In 1979, President Carter installed solar panels over the West Wing.
They weren't very efficient, and in 1989 the solar panels were removed while President Reagan was working on the roof... In 2003, the first solar electric panel went online under the leadership of President George W. Bush. It was not installed over the entire residence due to the high cost. It wasn't until 2014 that Obama installed solar panels over the entire White House.
In 1926, President Coolidge installed the first refrigerator. In 1933, the living rooms of the White House began to be air-conditioned. In 1993, President Clinton replaced the windows with more energy efficient ones.
First inhabitants
The first US President, George Washington, never managed to be the first occupant of the White House - they became John and Abigail Adams. Washington had a chance to see plans for the residence, which did not impress him much. He felt that this space would not be enough.
The White House, built under him, burned to the ground in 1814 (this was during the War of 1812). It was restored and ready for new residents in 1817. When President Monroe moved into the newly restored residence, people speculated that the charred walls had been freshly painted or even hastily covered with white paint.
Indeed, the external joints were covered with white paint, especially the areas of fire damage around the windows, but everything on the inside was restored from scratch. In 1901, Teddy Roosevelt named the residence “The White House.”
Our service is both dangerous and difficult
Everyone knows that the White House has the best security system. Many of the details of how it is guarded are unknown, but there are facts: a bunker six stories underground (under the east wing), 147 bulletproof windows, and whenever the president goes outside, snipers and special weapons appear on the roof of the White House security.
They say the White House has the ability to repel air attacks because it has missile defense. And a bunch of snipers stationed on the roof around the clock! And no less than four intelligence agents stationed in the hallways outside the West Wing.
These measures were put in place after the assassination of President McKinley, when the Secret Service assumed full-time presidential protection duties.
