The White House

The construction of the White House began in 1792 after President George Washington signed an Act of Congress. Designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban, the structure was modeled after Leinster House in Dublin and was built using Aquia Creek sandstone. Although Washington oversaw the project, he never resided in the building; John Adams and his wife Abigail became the first residents in November 1800, though the house was still unfinished at the time. In August 1814, during the War of 1812, British troops set fire to the mansion in retaliation for the burning of Upper Canada's parliament buildings. The interior was gutted, and the exterior walls were charred, but a timely thunderstorm prevented total destruction. James Hoban returned to lead the reconstruction, and the house was ready for occupancy by 1817. Major modifications followed, including the addition of the West Wing in 1902 and a massive structural renovation under Harry S. Truman in 1948. As the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, the White House is a living museum of American history. It contains 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels to accommodate the residential needs of the First Family and the administrative needs of the executive branch. It remains the only private residence of a head of state that is regularly open to the public for tours, symbolizing the accessibility of the American government to its citizens.