Guide Note

The White House is the official residence of the President of the United States.

Fast Facts

1. October 13, 1792: Construction begins
2. November 1, 1800: Ready for occupancy
3. Architect: James Hoban
4. Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C., 20500
5. Comments: 202-456-1111
6. Switchboard: 202-456-1414
7. Owned by National Park Service
8. Set afire and gutted by British troops during War of 1812
9. Six stories tall
10. 55,000 ft² (5,100 m²) of floor space
11. 132 rooms
12. Receives about 5,000 visitors a day.

The idea for a state residence for the U.S. President, located in the heart of Washington, D.C., was part of Pierre Charles L'Enfant's original conception for the new federal city. The design of architect James Hoban, an Irishman from Charleston, South Carolina was chosen in a competition and work began in 1792, using slaves and European laborers. Every U.S. President since John Adams has lived in the White House. The current appearance of the White House came about through a series of architectural changes made between the completion of its construction in 1800 and the addition of the East Wing in 1942. In 1814, British forces invaded Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812 and set fire to the structure; the interior was completely destroyed and many of the exterior walls were blackened. The building went through a major reconstruction project following the war, and the distinctive North and South Porticoes were added in the 1820s.