SAEDNEWS: The White House: Everything You Need to Know, Fascinating Facts About America’s Most Famous Residence, and the Obama Family Home
According to Saednews, Fascinating Facts About the White House: Discover the History Behind America’s Most Famous Residence
The White House
- George Washington is the only U.S. president who never slept in the White House.
- Construction of the White House began in 1792. John Adams and his wife were the first residents to move into the building in 1800.
- The original construction cost of the White House was estimated at approximately $232,372.
- During the War of 1812, British troops set fire to the White House on August 24, 1814. The attack was carried out in retaliation for the burning of government buildings in York, Ontario, by American forces. In 1817, James Monroe moved into the rebuilt White House.
- The White House was the largest building in the United States until after the American Civil War.
- Running water was introduced to the White House in 1837. A central heating system was installed that same year, and electric lighting was added in 1891.
- Today, the White House covers approximately 55,000 square feet (5,110 square meters). It has six floors, eight staircases, three elevators, 28 fireplaces, 132 rooms, and 35 bathrooms.
- Approximately 13 full-time staff members maintain the White House gardens and surrounding grounds.
- During Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency, the building officially became known as the White House, following an agreement among government officials.
- Approximately 570 gallons (2,156 liters) of paint were used to whiten the exterior of the building.
- In 1825, John Quincy Adams established the first flower garden at the White House and cultivated ornamental trees.
- Benjamin Harrison brought the first Christmas tree into the White House in 1889.
- Seventeen weddings have taken place at the White House. The first was held in 1812 for the sister of Dolley Madison, the wife of the president at the time. The most recent wedding mentioned in the original account took place in 1994 and involved the brother of Hillary Clinton, the wife of the president at the time. Grover Cleveland was the only U.S. president to be married at the White House.
- Notable recreational and service facilities at the White House include a tennis court, bowling alley, theater, beauty salon, medical office, flower shop, swimming pool, and putting green.
- In 1960, the White House was designated a National Historic Landmark.
- In 1988, the American Association of Museums officially recognized the White House as a museum.
