The White House serves as both the official residence and workplace of the U.S. president, standing as one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. Yet, behind its distinguished neoclassical exterior, many details of its construction and history are lesser known.
As Donald Trump is all set to return as the 47th president, here are answers to six frequently asked questions about this historic building, which has housed all but one president.
Did Slaves Help Build the White House?
While the U.S. government didn’t own slaves, it did hire enslaved individuals by compensating their owners for their labor, according to the National Archives. The White House Historical Association explains that construction began in 1792, and when efforts to recruit European labor failed, both enslaved and free African Americans, alongside local white workers and some European craftsmen, were employed to complete the White House and other government buildings, including the Capitol.
Designed by James Hoban, an Irish architect selected by George Washington, the White House was rebuilt under Hoban’s direction after being burned by the British in 1814 during the War of 1812.
Where is the White House Located?
Situated at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., the White House is part of a capital district designated by President George Washington under the 1790 Residence Act. The cornerstone was laid on October 13, 1792, and construction continued with the Capitol cornerstone being set the following year on August 18, 1793.
Over time, the White House has undergone numerous renovations. In 1902, Theodore Roosevelt introduced electric lights, and in 1948, structural concerns led Harry S. Truman to order a comprehensive interior overhaul. During these renovations, Truman’s family temporarily resided at Blair House, nearby.
Who Was the First President to Live in the White House?
Although Washington chose the site and the architect, he never lived in the White House. John Adams became its first presidential occupant in 1800, even before construction was fully completed. Since then, every U.S. president has called 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home, with two—William Henry Harrison in 1841 and Zachary Taylor in 1850—passing away there, along with three first ladies.
How Many Rooms Does the White House Have?
With 55,000 square feet spanning six floors, the White House contains 132 rooms (16 are guest rooms) and 35 bathrooms. The White House website notes 28 fireplaces, eight staircases, three elevators, 412 doors, and 147 windows. Its kitchen can accommodate 140 dinner guests or serve hors d’oeuvres for over 1,000 people, and it requires 570 gallons of paint to refresh its exterior every four to six years.
The grounds feature an indoor swimming pool (added for FDR), an outdoor pool (installed by Ford), and other amenities, including a tennis court, bowling alley, movie theater, game room, jogging track, and putting green.
Are There Secret Rooms in the White House?
Rumors of hidden rooms exist, but the White House Historical Association confirms only one known “secret” passage—a shelter constructed under the East Wing during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, following the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941. Vice President Dick Cheney and, reportedly, President Donald Trump, used this passage during emergencies, such as the 9/11 attacks and a 2020 protest.
Additionally, two tunnels run beneath the White House: one connects to the Treasury Building, while the other leads to the South Lawn.
How Many U.S. Presidents Owned Slaves?
While the U.S. was founded on equality ideals, slaveholding was common among early presidents. Over 12 U.S. presidents—more than a quarter—owned slaves during their lives.
Was It Always Called the White House?
Originally coated in a white lime-based wash in 1798 for weather protection, the building was unofficially called the “White House” in the early 1800s. However, Theodore Roosevelt made this name official in 1901. Previously, it was known as the President’s House, the Executive Mansion, the Presidential Palace, and the Presidential Mansion, and is often called “The People’s House.”
What Happens in the West Wing?
Since Roosevelt moved his office there in 1902, the two-story West Wing has housed U.S. presidential offices. Key rooms include the Oval Office, Cabinet Room, and Situation Room. The Oval Office has served as the president’s workspace since William Howard Taft’s time in 1909, and the famous Resolute Desk has been used by nearly all presidents since Rutherford B. Hayes received it from Queen Victoria in 1880.
The Situation Room, established by JFK in 1961, is a complex of rooms in the West Wing basement, used for crisis management. It played a role in events like the Vietnam War and Osama Bin Laden’s operation under President Obama.
The Cabinet Room hosts meetings with cabinet members, while the Roosevelt Room serves as a conference space. The East Wing, also two stories, includes offices for the first lady and a covered entrance for guest arrivals at large events.
