White House
The White House
The United States presidential residence at 1400 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, possesses a vivid history that stirs the imagination. More than the home of the president and his family, it is a symbol of democracy. It's also a bustling government office. Thousands of employees go in and out of the White House every day, including gardeners, cooks, administrative assistants, Cabinet members, the Secret Service, and the president himself.Details
Hours -
Tours have been suspended indefinitelyPrices -
FreeEvents
- Easter Egg Roll
- Kitchen Garden Tours
- Virtual Tours Online
Activities
- Take photos of exterior
- Get lunch nearby
- Visitors Center (reopens soon)
The Fire of 1814
During the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States, British troops set fire to the White House along with many other buildings in what is known as the Burning of Washington. The president at the time, James Madison, escaped unharmed. During the reconstruction of the White House, he resided in the Octagon House and the Seven Buildings. The exterior walls of the White House remained after the fire but were severely weakened, and it had to be reconstructed nearly from scratch.The First Resident
Although George Washington, the first president of the United States, never lived in the White House, he had a lot of input on its design. His eight years in office were spent in New York City and Philadelphia. John Adams, the second U.S. president, was the first to live in the newly constructed presidential residence in the District of Columbia. President Adams moved into the White House on Nov. 1, 1800.FAQs
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Has sequestration affected tours?
Unfortunately, yes. Until further notice, tours of the White House have been suspended. Anyone, however, can take a virtual tour through the White House’s partnership with the Google Art Project. Google’s 360° cameras have captured images of the rooms that are usually included in tours. Another online option is the Inside the White House Video Series. Both are available on the White House website. -
How many rooms are there?
There are 132 rooms in the White House. These include 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, and 3 elevators. The Presidential Residence takes up 6 levels, and there are 8 staircases throughout the White House as well as 147 windows.
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