132 rooms, over 200 years old: The story of world's most famous address — White House

The building has six levels to accommodate all the people who live and work there. It has 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms and 412 doors.

Additionally, it has 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 7 staircases and 3 elevators.

When was it built?

George Washington became the first president of the United States in April 1789. Soon after his inauguration, plans were made to build an official residence for the President along the Potomac River.

A design contest was held. Irish-born architect James Hoban’s design (modelled after an Anglo-Irish villa in Dublin called the Leinster House) emerged the winner.

On October 13, 1792, George Washington laid the White House cornerstone. Washington died in 1799, much before the building was completed. The building was completed some time in the year 1800.

When did White House become 'White House'?

There’s a misconception that the White House was painted white to mask burn damage after the burning of the house by the British in 1814.

The building was first made white with lime-based whitewash in 1798, to protect its sandstone exterior from moisture and cracking during winter freezes.

How did it get its name?

The White House wasn’t always called the White House. It was mostly known as the ‘President’s House’ or the ‘Executive Mansion’, though some newspapers used ‘White House’ informally.

In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt officially named it the White House.

There is a marker embedded in the floor of the White House Entrance Hall which includes the dates of the four major instances of White House construction and renovation:

1792 | The year that the cornerstone was laid, and construction began.

1817 | The White House rebuilt after the British burned it on August 24, 1814.

1902 | Theodore Roosevelt modernised the White House and established the West Wing.

1952 | Comprehensive dismantling and rebuilding of the interior of the White House.

Rich history

The White House possesses a rich and remarkable history.

During Truman’s presidency, most of the building’s interior was entirely gutted and renovated. The original exterior stone walls, established two centuries ago, remain intact even today.

It endured a destructive fire set by British forces in 1814 during the War of 1812, as well as another fire in the West Wing in 1929.

Five interesting factrs

1. The White House was constructed by both enslaved and free African Americans. Although the government did not own enslaved individuals, officials hired enslaved labourers from their owners.

2. President George Washington supervised the construction of the White House, though he never lived in it.

3. The White House exterior requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its surface.

4. Equipped with five full-time chefs, the White House kitchen can serve dinner to as many as 140 guests.

5. Since 1909, the Oval Office has served as the primary workspace for US presidents. Before the expansion of the West Wing (built during Theodore Roosevelt’s administration), presidents worked from other areas of the White House

Courtesy: Network18