10 White House Facts, From Its Irish-Inspired Design to Presidential Makeovers

The White House

The White House wasn’t always white, and it definitely wasn’t always American in design.

Irish architects left their mark on the most famous house in America, while presidents have been painting, renovating, and completely gutting rooms for over two centuries.

Here’s how America’s house became what it is today.

James Hoban’s Architectural Vision

James Hoban was born around 1755 in County Kilkenny, Ireland, where he learned carpentry and building skills before studying architecture in Dublin.

After the Revolutionary War, he moved to America and settled in Charleston, South Carolina, where he designed buildings including the local courthouse.

When President George Washington visited Charleston in 1791, he liked Hoban’s work and invited him to enter a contest for the president’s house.

In July 1792, Hoban won the contest and the $500 prize, beating out other architects to design what became the White House.

British Invasion and Destruction

British troops led by Major General Robert Ross set fire to the White House during the War of 1812 on August 24, 1814. They targeted government buildings after beating American forces at the Battle of Bladensburg.

The attack partly paid back America for burning York (now Toronto) in Upper Canada. British soldiers reportedly ate a meal prepared for President Madison before setting the house on fire.

James Hoban oversaw the rebuilding of the White House after the fire. As the original architect, he understood the building’s structure and could bring back its key features.

The White House was rebuilt and ready for James Monroe to move in by 1817. Workers kept the burned exterior walls, which remained standing after the fire.

The East Room’s Evolving Purpose

The East Room is the largest room in the White House, stretching nearly 80 feet long by 40 feet wide. First planned as a “Public Audience Room,” it has filled many roles throughout history.

During John and Abigail Adams’ time, the unfinished East Room was used to hang laundry. With no drying space, Abigail Adams turned the vast empty room into a practical washing area.

President Abraham Lincoln’s body lay in state in the East Room in 1865. This somber event marked the first of several presidential funerals held in this grand space.

Theodore Roosevelt’s Renovation

In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt launched a major update of the White House. The growing staff had crowded the existing space, calling for big changes to the building’s layout.

Roosevelt hired the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White to transform the building. Their plan stripped away Victorian excess and restored classic elements from the building’s original style.

The work moved the president’s offices from the Second Floor to the newly built West Wing. This change gave the First Family privacy by splitting work areas from living spaces.

Roosevelt officially named the building “The White House” in 1901. Before this, people called it the “President’s House,” “Executive Mansion,” or “President’s Palace.”

The State Floor’s Colorful Rooms

The State Floor includes the East Room, Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room, and State Dining Room. These formal spaces host official gatherings, ceremonies, and meetings with foreign leaders.

The Blue Room is oval-shaped and serves as a space for presidents to greet guests. Its distinctive curve mirrors the Oval Office’s shape and opens to the South Portico through French doors.

The Green Room started as a dining room under Thomas Jefferson. Over time, it became a parlor for small gatherings, with green silk walls giving the room its name.

The Red Room has served as a sitting room and meeting place, often used by First Ladies.

Truman’s Complete Overhaul

By 1948, the White House was falling apart inside. Floors sagged, chandeliers swayed, and a leg of Margaret Truman’s piano crashed through a ceiling.

Congress approved $5.4 million for the Truman renovation in 1949. This massive project rebuilt the entire inside while keeping the historic outer walls.

Workers built steel frame towers to hold up the third floor and roof while tearing out the rest of the house. They gutted the interior down to the outer walls.

The Truman family moved back into the White House on March 27, 1952. The renovation created a modern building with concrete foundations and steel beams hidden behind historically accurate finishes.

The Second Floor Family Residence

The Second Floor holds the family’s private living spaces. After passing through the formal State Floor, residents climb stairs to these more personal rooms away from public view.

It includes the Yellow Oval Room, the Treaty Room, the Lincoln Bedroom, and the Queens’ Bedroom.

Before 1902, the Second Floor held both family quarters and the president’s offices.

The Lincoln Bedroom was actually Lincoln’s office, not where he slept.

East and West Wing Development

The West Wing was added during Theodore Roosevelt’s time in office in 1902. First thought to be temporary, this addition provided dedicated office space for the growing presidential staff.

The East Wing grew in 1942 and now houses the First Lady’s offices. This section developed more slowly than the West Wing, becoming important during World War II.

The White House Grounds

The White House grounds cover 18 acres. These carefully kept lawns and gardens provide beauty, security, and room for outdoor events.

Landscape architect Andrew Jackson Downing created the first known plan for the grounds in 1850. His romantic design shaped later changes, though he died before putting his ideas in place.

The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden sits on the east side of the White House. First Lady Kennedy redesigned this space in 1962 as part of her larger project to restore historic elements of the White House.

President Gerald Ford also added an outdoor swimming pool on the South Grounds in 1975. This in-ground pool replaced an indoor pool built during Roosevelt’s time in office.

Presidential Traditions and the People’s House

The White House welcomes about 30,000 visitors each week. Public tours, official meetings, and special events bring Americans into their president’s home.

The first White House Easter Egg Roll was hosted by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878. This tradition continues yearly on the South Lawn, inviting children to join in games and fun.

The National Christmas Tree tradition was started by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923. Each December, the president lights a tree on the Ellipse south of the White House.

John Adams wrote in 1800: “I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this House, and all that shall hereafter inhabit it.” Franklin Roosevelt had these words carved into the State Dining Room fireplace mantel.

Visiting The White House

Public tours of the White House must be arranged through a member of Congress. Americans should contact their Representative or Senator to schedule a visit.

Tours cost nothing and run Tuesday through Saturday. The self-guided walks typically include the State Floor rooms but not the family living areas.

Foreign visitors can request tours through their country’s embassy in Washington. This diplomatic channel allows international guests to see America’s executive mansion.

The White House Visitor Center offers displays about the White House for those unable to tour the building. Located nearby, it features exhibits, films, and artifacts telling the White House story.

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