The White House, built in 1789, was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban after an Anglo-Irish villa in Dublin. The building was constructed between 1792 and 1800 using Aquia sandstone from the Government Island quarry, which was porous and susceptible to cracking in freezing weather. The White House required 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface. The building has been known as the “President’s Palace” or the “President’s House”.
Construction began in 1792, with labor performed by enslaved African Americans and some free Black workers. The last major alterations were made in the 1960s by Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of President John F. Kennedy. The Presidential palace was initially a stately but simple home made of pale gray sandstone. Over time, the initial modest architecture became more stately.
The best white paint for the exterior of a house is Snowbound by Sherwin Williams. Hoban modeled the building on Leinster House in Dublin, which today houses the Oireachtas, the Irish legislature. The primary building material for the exterior walls was timber and brick, with local Aquia Creek sandstone making up the outermost walls.
The White House is both the home of the President of the United States and a living museum of American history. Restoration procedures and traditions have been followed during the restoration process. By upgrading to a DaVinci Roofscapes slate roof, the White House will benefit from technical advancements that make it a long-lasting, eco-friendly, and durable building.
📹 What’s Inside of the White House?
The White House is full of lots of interesting rooms. A lot of people don’t realize that this information is public! Please join me as we …
What is the building material of the White House?
The cornerstone of the White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, was designed by George Washington, who used Virginia aquia sandstone for construction of his buildings at Mount Vernon. Between 1949 and 1952, the White House underwent its most extensive restoration, with the entire interior gutted and a new building built within the old walls. The original building materials, including 95, 000 bricks and several tons of stone donated to Mount Vernon, were salvaged.
Most of the brick and stones were used in reconstructing Washington’s greenhouse, built in 1784-87 and destroyed by fire in 1835. Over time, many remaining pieces of White House stone have been used to make repairs to the Mansion piazza and steps.
Does the president sleep in the White House?
The President’s Bedroom is a second-floor bedroom in the White House, forming the White House master suite. It was traditionally used as the First Lady’s bedroom before the Ford Administration. The dressing room in the southwest corner of the suite has historically served as the First Lady’s dressing room, study, or bedroom. It has a walk-in closet and bathroom. The suite also features a walk-through closet leading to the bedroom, which also has a large bathroom.
The room currently used as a living room was historically the president’s private bedroom until the 1970s. The White House Museum provides more information about the President’s Bedroom and the White House’s history.
Is the White House made of steel?
The White House complex, which includes the Executive Residence, West Wing, East Wing, Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and Blair House, was built to accommodate President Theodore Roosevelt’s growing workload. The West Wing was expanded in 1909 by President William Howard Taft, creating the first Oval Office. The third floor attic was converted into living quarters in 1927, and the East Wing was used as a reception area for social events. The East Wing alterations were completed in 1946, creating additional office space.
In 1948, the residence’s load-bearing walls and wood beams were found to be close to failure. Under Harry S. Truman, the interior rooms were dismantled and a new internal load-bearing steel frame was constructed inside the walls. The Truman Balcony was added on the exterior, and the interior rooms were rebuilt.
The property is a National Heritage Site owned by the National Park Service and part of the President’s Park. In 2007, it was ranked second on the American Institute of Architects list of America’s Favorite Architecture. President George Washington occupied two private houses in New York City for his executive mansion after his inauguration. The first house, Walter Franklin House, served as the executive mansion until 1790. Construction began on the new official residence in Manhattan called Government House in May 1790.
What material is used for the White House?
The White House, designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban in the Neoclassical style, was built between 1792 and 1800. Its exterior walls are made of Aquia Creek sandstone painted white. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Henry Latrobe added low colonnades on each wing to conceal stables and storage. In 1814, the mansion was set ablaze during the War of 1812, destroying the interior and charring much of the exterior. Reconstruction began immediately, and President James Monroe moved into the partially reconstructed Executive Residence in 1817.
The Executive Residence was relocated to the West Wing in 1901 due to crowding, and the West Wing was expanded in 1909 by President William Howard Taft. The East Wing was used as a reception area for social events, and the interior rooms were dismantled under Harry S. Truman. The property is a National Heritage Site owned by the National Park Service and part of the President’s Park. In 2007, it was ranked second on the American Institute of Architects list of America’s Favorite Architecture.
The present-day White House complex includes the Executive Residence, the West Wing, the East Wing, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and Blair House, a guest residence. The property is part of the President’s Park and has been ranked second on the American Institute of Architects list of America’s Favorite Architecture in 2007.
What is the outside of the White House made of?
The White House, built between 1792 and 1800, was constructed using Aquia sandstone from the Government Island quarry, bricks made in kilns near the site, and lumber from forests in Maryland and Virginia. The construction was a significant part of the early-19th-century project, which relied on the labor of enslaved people, European craftsmen, wage laborers, and African Americans. President John Adams and first lady Abigail Adams moved into the unfinished building in 1800, which was the largest home in the country. The cost of construction was $232, 372.
Throughout its history, the White House has undergone numerous renovations, starting with Thomas Jefferson and architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. The first major renovation took place during the War of 1812, when British troops burned the White House and other public buildings. Hoban continued to work on additions for several years, adding the South Portico for James Monroe in 1824 and the North Portico for Andrew Jackson from 1829 to 1830.
Is the White House made of bricks?
The White House was built using Aquia Creek Sandstone, a stone that was slightly longer and taller than the final design. President George Washington requested that the building be built entirely out of stone, using Aquia Creek Sandstone instead of traditional red brick. Scottish masons were brought to assist in the construction, using a thick whitewash to seal the stone and give it its nickname, the White House.
Today, the White House is painted almost every year to maintain its famous white facade. The original plan was to mainly employ Europeans, but recruitment was lower than expected due to the location of Washington, DC, and the lack of interest in the project.
What is the White House coated with?
The White House was first painted white with lime-based whitewash in 1798 to protect the porous stone from freezing. Congressman Abijah Bigelow wrote to a colleague in 1812, expressing concern about the President’s house, as there was much trouble at the White House. The building was first made white with lime-based whitewash to prevent freezing. The burning of the White House by the British in 1814 is not related to the use of white paint.
What are the White House windows made of?
During World War II, White House security became a significant concern. Bulletproof glass in the Oval Office windows and a “bomb-barrier” along the West Wall were installed. General Electric designed special outdoor lighting to illuminate the grounds without glaring on the house. Despite protests from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, an air raid shelter was built under the East Wing. In 1942, Roosevelt converted an East Terrace cloakroom called the “Hat Box” into a movie theater, where he enjoyed watching news reels and taking interest in European and Asian battles. This information was sourced from Frederick J. Ryan, author of “Wine and the White House: A History”, and Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States.
Which president never slept in the White House?
The White House, a private residence of a head of state, was built in 1792 and is the only one open to the public. Its history is unique, having survived fires in 1814 and 1929. Presidents have made their own changes and additions to the house, with the exterior stone walls being the first put in place two centuries ago.
Presidents can express their style in decorating parts of the house and how they receive the public during their stay. Thomas Jefferson held the first Inaugural open house in 1805, welcoming attendees in the Blue Room. He also opened the house for public tours and welcomed visitors to annual receptions on New Year’s Day and Fourth of July.
In 1829, President Andrew Jackson was forced to flee to the safety of a hotel while aides filled washtubs with orange juice and whiskey to lure the mob out of the White House. The White House has a fascinating history, with Presidents expressing their individual style in how they decorate the house and how they receive the public during their stay.
What kind of paint is used on the White House?
The exterior of the White House is painted with a color designated “whisper white,” produced by the Duron Company, which was owned by Sherwin-Williams as of 2020. The color is, in fact, technically white.
What is Buckingham Palace roof made of?
Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the UK’s sovereigns since 1837, hosted a music concert in 2002, including an iconic performance of “God Save The Queen” by Brian May from the roof. In 2020, the Queen was granted permission to replace the north roof, nearly 200 years after a leak was first recorded. The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, the tallest dome in the world, measures 136. 57 meters. Built in the 4th century, it was leaning to one side and in danger of collapsing by the 1400s. Michelangelo took over as chief architect in 1547, but died before the final design was completed.
📹 White House History – Animation
An Animation of White House History | White House in Washington DC | The designer of White House | Who burned the White …
Speaking as someone who actually worked in the White House for eight years I can say this animation is a fantastic representation. I have some additional information about the rooms if Jared is interested. My office was in the far NE corner of the East Wing, with a fabulous view of the N. Lawn. I will always love the House and my time there.
Hey Jared, I kinda stumbled upon your page, but I saw how the ISS was built and anything space related I’m hooked, after that I subscribed and have been perusal the rest of your articles. They are really well done and informative, no opinions or tacky gimmicks, just facts and great visuals. I’ve already recommended these articles to a couple people . Keep up the great work!
I would like to see you add the Rose Garden which is as famous as any other room except Oval Office. I’ve seen the Oval Office replica at Reagan Library. It’s nice to see it in context. Would like a little more about the private work office connected to the Oval Office and the eating area right there, too.
You might add that the East Room would be more properly called “The Ballroom”. Back when George Washington and his architect were designing the White House in the first place, all big important Mansions or Manor Houses had to have a ballroom. In fact, George Washington actually took ballroom dance lessons as a teen. You couldn’t be an officer and a gentleman in those days and not know how to ballroom dance. It’s a crying shame that balls are not held there today, but they should be. Ballroom dance instructor from Kansas City
Great article! In your next White House article you should explain the position relative to D.C….such as where is Pennsylvania Avenue? Sometimes you’ll hear phrases such as “the Rose Garden” or the “South Lawn”. There have been many pics and articles of the White House showing the Washington Monument in the background….maybe show where other D.C. landmarks are relative to the W.H. Thanks man! Again…awesome vid!
This was Awesome. Even if you didn’t name all the rooms, freeze-frame allowed us to be more informed. As to your second article on this structure, I am curious as to how the food goes from the kitchen to the dining rooms? Maybe a rundown of how things get done would be interesting. Just a thought. Thanks still
Great article Jared. I visited the white house in the late 90s a handful of times. I noticed a blank room next to the usher/entrance hall opposite the grand staircase/across from the red room. On one of my visits I entered through the entrance hall and waited in that room which at the time was set up as a sitting/waiting room for guests. Maybe for article 2 😉 and I’ve never been in the OEOB or Treasury next door but know there are tunnels that run from treasury under the streets into the bank vaults where they (pre 1971 when currency was backed by gold) would push the gold on carts back and forth between treasury and the banks. They are sealed now but would make a good addition to your article 2 maybe. Good luck!
Back in the 1980s, when I was in high school, I went to Washington, DC with a church group and we did a White House tour. This was back when you could just show up. The tour entrance was in the East Wing, and you’d go through security there. They would take you through the ground floor, and you could see the diplomatic reception room, the map room, and some of those other rooms. Then you’d go up to the first floor and go through the State dining room, the red, blue, and green rooms, and the east room. You’d walk right past the grand staircase and out the front door on the north side. I didn’t see him, but some members of my group said that Ronald Reagan’s motorcade arrived during the tour.
This is a really good article, I visited the White House in Sept of last year. I didn’t take the tour just stood on pennsylvania ave. It actually looks alot smaller when you view it from the outside in real life as opposed to the movies. However after perusal this article I can see that there is more to what meets the eye. Thanks for the great article.
Welcome back! Please more articles about space and space travel like Apollo. Please. You can even make a series, with all important launches (like building a space station or voyager missions, or detailed missions what they did on the moon). Or space shuttle, from the ground until space station, and then back, it can be 2 or 3 part article. Hope you find my ideas useful. Until next article. 🙂
First, I’d like to thank you for your 3D presentation. I was surprised at the number of rooms. I’m guessing there was a day when our Presidents could house a great number of guests. I would love to know where the beautiful Christmas Trees our First lady puts out are located. I also would like to know where the President greets and sits with guest leaders from other Countries. We see a living room type setting with a fireplace behind two chairs.
For those who dont know the yellow oval office is the original oval office first established by GW the new oval office was designed to copy the original but on a slightly bigger radius to fit more officials in the room for easier delegating. The oval office we typically see on tv or movies isn’t typically the modern one we see it’s usually the yellow oval office to contain the story within the main buildings lore like everything that has always been thought about the white house. Hence so many people below 👇 being disappointed about the Oval Office now being in the west wing
I watched this because I want to make a game like hello neighbor but instead your neighbor is the president. And I want the game to be very accurate to the lore of the White House. So overall this was a great article and very helpful. Now time to not make the game until years later when I randomly get the motivation to make it 🙂
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