The White House

The transportation used by U.S. Presidents has evolved significantly over the years, starting from George Washington's horse-drawn carriage to the modern vehicles like 'Air Force One' and 'The Beast'.

The July 1790 Residence Act designated Philadelphia as the temporary capital of the United States for ten years while the new Federal District was being built.

Washington occupied the mansion of Robert Morris at 190 High Street, now 524–30 Market Street, as the President's House in Philadelphia from November 1790 to March 1797.

In December 1790, President George Washington signed an Act of Congress declaring that the federal government would reside in a district not exceeding ten miles, marking the beginning of the history of the White House and the nation's capital.

In 1791, George Washington, the first president of the United States, chose the location for the White House.

The White House, the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, was established in 1792.

On July 16, 1792, President Washington chose Irish-American architect James Hoban's design for the White House in an architectural competition.

Construction of the White House started on October 13, 1792, with the laying of the cornerstone. Enslaved and free African-American laborers, along with European and immigrant workers, were involved in building the main residence and foundations.

In 1796, President George Washington chose the sites flanking the White House as the location for Executive Offices. The designs were approved on his last day in office, but construction was delayed due to financial constraints.

President John Adams succeeded Washington and occupied the High Street mansion in Philadelphia from March 1797 to May 1800.

In 1798, the Executive Office location was moved closer to the Capitol, but former President Washington objected and successfully advocated for the original site. Construction then commenced on the Treasury Department southeast of the White House.

Although not fully completed, the White House was ready for occupancy around November 1, 1800. Due to material and labor shortages, the final structure differed from the original grand palace plan by Pierre Charles L'Enfant.

Thomas Jefferson moved into the White House in 1801, referring to it as a 'pleasant country residence'. Despite finding the house too big, Jefferson contributed to the design of the East and West Colonnades with Benjamin Henry Latrobe.

In 1805, Thomas Jefferson held the first Inaugural open house at the White House, where he greeted guests in the Blue Room after the swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. This event marked the beginning of a tradition where Presidents could express their individual style in receiving the public during their stay.

In 1811, the public started calling the building the 'White House'. A myth suggests that white paint was applied during the rebuilding after the Burning of Washington, giving the structure its namesake hue.

Lucy Payne Washington, sister of First Lady Dolley Madison, had her wedding ceremony in 1812 at the White House.

During the War of 1812, British troops marched into Washington, D.C. on August 24, 1814, and set fire to federal buildings, including the Capitol and the White House. President James Madison and his family were forced to flee the city.

In 1817, President James Monroe and his administration moved into the White House, where the South Portico was constructed.

The south portico of the White House was constructed in 1824 during James Monroe's administration. It was designed by James Hoban and features decorative stonework carved by Italian artisans.

During a chaotic event, callers forced President Andrew Jackson to seek safety in a hotel due to a threatening mob outside the White House.

The north portico of the White House was built in 1830. It was also designed by James Hoban and features a variation on the Ionic Order with a swag of roses between the volutes.

Construction began on the Executive Office Buildings to house the State, Treasury, War, and Navy Departments. The buildings were strategically located around the White House.

In 1836, the Treasury Department building was destroyed in a fire. As a result, Robert Mills was hired to design a new building that was considered 'fireproof'.

William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States, serving briefly in 1841.

In 1842, English novelist Charles Dickens visited the White House but found the door unanswered. He let himself in and was shocked to see people spitting on the carpet. Dickens later commented on the conditions of the house.

In 1852, Thomas U. Walter proposed the construction of a single executive office building west of the White House, similar in size to his design for the extension of the Treasury building.

President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, leading to mourning at The White House. Mary Todd Lincoln grieved for her husband for five weeks, during which many White House holdings were looted.

Alfred B. Mullett was appointed as the Supervising Architect of the Treasury in 1866.

In 1869, Alfred B. Mullett created a sketch for the combined State, War, and Navy Building as part of the design and cost estimation process.

In 1874, Mullett resigns from the position of Supervising Architect of the Office of the Treasury (SAOT).

In 1875, Hamilton Fish, who served as Secretary of State under President Grant, moves into the south wing of the State Department with his staff of 54. William Potter takes over as Supervising Architect of the Office of the Treasury (SAOT), succeeded by Orville Babcock three months later.

In 1876, the construction of the State Department Library is completed.

In 1877, the last granite stone is placed in the east wing of the State Department. Thomas Lincoln Casey assumes the role of Supervising Architect of the Office of the Treasury (SAOT) and oversees the final stages of the State Department's construction.

In 1879, the East wing of the building was completed and made available for the War and Navy Departments to move in.

James A. Garfield briefly served as the twentieth President of the United States in 1881.

In 1882, Congress assigned the fourth story and attic of the building, except for...

During Grover Cleveland's first presidency, he changed the tradition of accommodating large Inaugural crowds at the White House by holding a presidential review of the troops from a grandstand in front of the White House, which later evolved into the official Inaugural parade.

In 1891, First Lady Caroline Harrison suggested major extensions to the White House, including a National Wing for a historical art gallery and a wing for official functions. The plans were devised by Colonel Theodore A. Bingham but were ultimately rejected.

In 1899, Secretary of State John Hay hands the Spanish Ambassador his passport and credentials, signifying the United States declaration of war against Spain.

In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name, which has been used ever since.

In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt initiated a significant renovation of the White House, which included moving the President's offices to the newly constructed temporary Executive Office Building, now known as the West Wing. The renovation was carried out by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead and White.

In 1909, President William Howard Taft expanded the West Wing and created the first Oval Office, which was later moved and expanded.

President William Howard Taft oversaw the construction of the Oval Office within an enlarged office wing of the White House. This addition became an iconic symbol of the presidency and the White House.

Woodrow Wilson conducted the first press conference on March 15, 1913, marking a significant moment in presidential communication with the media.

In response to rumors about the Congressional Standing Committee of Correspondents choosing reporters for White House press conferences, eleven White House reporters founded the WHCA to support the interests of journalists covering the White House. Despite the rumors being false, the association continued to exist.

In 1925, Congress passed legislation permitting the White House to receive gifts of furniture and art for the first time. This allowed for the enrichment of the White House's interior with donated items.

In 1927, the third floor attic of the White House was converted to living quarters by adding shed dormers to the existing hip roof.

The West Wing of the White House was damaged by fire on Christmas Eve 1929, leading to Herbert Hoover and his aides temporarily relocating. The damage required restoration efforts.

Following a fire that damaged West Wing offices on Christmas Eve, President Hoover temporarily uses room 274 as his office.

The Department of State Building was renamed SWN. Plans were approved by Congress to reface the exterior with Greek Revival style façades, but the project was halted in 1933 due to the economic downturn.

In 1938, the War Department vacated the building.

In 1939, the Bureau of Budget relocated from the Treasury to the building, with the director holding office in room 252.

In room 208, Cordell Hull dismisses Japanese envoys after receiving news of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

The East Wing, which contains additional office space, was added to the White House in 1942. It has housed the offices and staff of the first lady and the White House Social Office.

Secretary of State Cordell Hull and other high-ranking officials broadcast 'The State Department Speaks' series from their offices in the building.

The National Security Council was created in 1947 to advise the President on national security and foreign policy matters.

During Harry S. Truman's presidency, the interior of the White House, except for the third floor, was extensively renovated while the Trumans resided at Blair House.

The building is renamed as the Executive Office Building (EOB) in 1949.

President Eisenhower begins using room 474 for press conferences in 1950.

After the completion of the Truman reconstruction project, the Truman family moved back into the White House on March 27, 1952. The renovation included structural improvements and modern amenities.

President Eisenhower held the first televised press conference ever in room 474 on January 19. It was a significant moment in the history of presidential communication.

In 1957, Eisenhower's Advisory Commission on Presidential Office Space recommended the demolition of the Executive Office Building to construct a modern office building.

The plan proposed by the 1957 Commission to demolish the Executive Office Building was revived and debated in Congress and the press in 1960.

On January 25, 1961, John F. Kennedy became the first president to hold a live televised news conference, demonstrating his ease with the media. Extensive preparation was required for these major news events as television ownership grew.

On Valentine's Day in 1962, Jacqueline Kennedy conducted a televised tour of the White House, showcasing her restoration efforts to the public.

Since 1965, the White House Historical Association has funded the official portraits of presidents and first ladies, a tradition in the White House Collection.

In 1969, The White House Office of Communications was created to engage with a wider range of reporters and specialty media, including those without White House credentials.

The Office of Management and Budget was established in 1970 to assist the President in preparing the federal budget and oversee the implementation of fiscal policy.

The Executive Office Building is placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs was established in 1972 to serve as a liaison between the White House and state, local, and tribal governments.

In February 1974, a stolen U.S. Army helicopter landed without authorization on the White House's grounds.

The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room was established by the General Services Administration (GSA), the White House, and the Vosbeck, Vosbeck, Kendrick, and Redinger Firm in Alexandria, Virginia. It is currently known as the 'Press Briefing Room' and is utilized for press conferences, workspace, and broadcasting.

Established in 1976, the Office of Science and Technology Policy advises the President on the impact of science and technology on domestic and international affairs.

The Presidential Personnel Office, created in 1977, is responsible for selecting and vetting candidates for presidential appointments.

The Carter administration introduced the White House's first computer and solar panels for water heating. The panels were later removed and reinstalled in subsequent administrations.

Since 1981, the White House Historical Association has been designing the Official White House Christmas Ornament, becoming a part of the holiday tradition for many American families.

In 1983, the historic restoration of spaces within the Executive Office Building to their original appearance at the time of completion commenced.

In 1988, the White House was officially accredited as a museum, recognizing its historical significance and importance.

The National Space Council was established in 1989 to coordinate space-related activities and policies across government agencies.

Robert Pierpoint of CBS became the first non-print media journalist to be elected head of the White House Correspondents' Association in 1991.

On January 21, 1993, President Clinton held an open house at the White House, renewing a long-standing Inaugural tradition. Two thousand citizens, chosen through a lottery, were welcomed by President and Mrs. Clinton and Vice President and Mrs. Gore in the Diplomatic Reception Room.

In 1994, a stolen light plane flown by Frank Eugene Corder crashed on White House grounds, resulting in Corder's immediate death.

On May 20, 1995, Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House was closed to vehicular traffic primarily in response to the Oklahoma City bombing, later becoming a permanent closure post-9/11.

In 1999, the Old Executive Office Building was officially renamed as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in honor of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The 200th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration of the White House showcased photographs highlighting the two hundred years of history of the White House as a symbol of the Presidency, the United States government, and the American people.

During the September 11 attacks, the White House staff and occupants were evacuated following a warning from the U.S. Secret Service about a potential aircraft threat, although no aircraft appeared.

On May 7, 2002, President George W. Bush and the Eisenhower family held a ceremony to rededicate and formally rename the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

In 2003, the Bush administration installed solar thermal heaters to heat water for landscape maintenance personnel and the presidential pool and spa. Additionally, 167 solar photovoltaic grid-tied panels were installed on the roof of the maintenance facility.

On May 12, 2005, the White House was evacuated after an unauthorized aircraft breached the grounds, prompting the pilot's identification as a student pilot who unintentionally entered the area.

In 2007, the White House was ranked second on the American Institute of Architects list of America's Favorite Architecture.

President Barack Obama utilized various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to communicate policy priorities and connect with the public during his presidency.

In September 2010, a two-year project began on the West Wing of the White House, creating a multistory underground structure.

In 2013, President Barack Obama had solar panels installed on the roof of the White House, marking the first time solar power was used for the president's living quarters.

In January 27, 2015, an intoxicated man lost control of a quadcopter drone that crashed on the southeast side of the White House, leading to a temporary lockdown by the Secret Service.

The White House Historical Association placed a wreath at the gravesite of James Hoban, the Irish immigrant who designed and built the White House, in a ceremony held on Thursday, March 21 at 11:00AM at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Naomi Biden, granddaughter of President Joseph Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, had her wedding ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in November 2022.

In June 2023, fighter jets intercepted a light aircraft violating Washington DC airspace near the White House, which eventually crashed in Virginia, resulting in the death of all occupants.

On March 18, 2024, an address or event is scheduled to take place at the White House in Washington, DC.

The White House Historical Association's 2024 quarterly series, White House History with Margaret Brennan, will focus on the theme of Diplomacy and the White House. The event will specifically delve into the topic of Women in Diplomacy.

The White House announces that talks have resumed regarding bringing Israeli officials to the US to discuss the Gaza operation.

Authors Jonathan Pliska and Rocco Smirne will be hosted by the White House Historical Association on Easter Monday at the White House Visitor Center. Presigned copies of Gigi at the White House! by Giovanna McBride will also be available.