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President George Washington, who lived in presidential residences in New York and Philadelphia, selected the site of the nation’s capital on the Potomac River for an executive mansion with the help of French architect Pierre Charles L’Enfant, who designed the plan of the city. L’Enfant initially proposed an opulent design for the residence, which would have resulted in a building four times the size of what stands today. He was ultimately dismissed by the three-person committee overseeing the development of the District of Columbia, and his palatial design was abandoned. Instead, Washington and his secretary of state, Thomas Jefferson, decided that the design would be chosen through a national competition. During the War of 1812 the building was burned by the British, and Pres. James Madison (1809–17) and his family were forced to flee the city.
Frequently Asked Questions about White House Tours (FAQ)
The White House’s attic was converted into a third floor during the Coolidge administration, and over the years, it has hosted a music room for President Clinton and a bedroom suite for Melania Trump. There is also a solarium, added by Grace Coolidge, with panoramic views of the Mall. Architect Lorenzo Winslow oversaw the three-year gut renovation, during which the inside of the White House was demolished and completely rebuilt. “The Truman renovation is the largest reconstruction at the White House because of the sheer amount of demolition and reconstruction that you see inside,” says Fling. Get HISTORY’s most fascinating stories delivered to your inbox three times a week. The cornerstone was laid on October 13, 1792, and over the next eight years a construction team comprised of both enslaved and freed African Americans and European immigrants built the Aquia Creek sandstone structure.
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Reservations cannot be accepted for tour dates outside this 21 – 90-day window. The three-level southern façade combines Palladian and neoclassical architectural styles. The south portico was completed in 1824.[33] At the center of the southern façade is a neoclassical projected bow of three bays. The bow is flanked by five bays, the windows of which, as on the north façade, have alternating segmented and pointed pediments at first-floor level. The bow has a ground-floor double staircase leading to an Ionic colonnaded loggia and the Truman Balcony, built in 1946.[33] The more modern third floor is hidden by a balustraded parapet and plays no part in the composition of the façade. Nine proposals were submitted for the new presidential residence with the award going to Irish-American architect James Hoban.
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In May 1790, construction began on a new official residence in Manhattan called Government House. White House tours are typically available Tuesday through Saturday, excluding federal holidays. Availability can vary, so check in advance when planning your visit. U.S. citizens must request White House tours through their state representative’s office (House of Representatives or Senators). Tickets are in high demand in the spring, summer and over the Christmas holidays, so request your tickets as soon as possible.
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Just like a trip to Disneyland, you will need to request tour dates in advance with your congressional tour coordinator, and have a little patience and flexibility when you try to get on a tour. Remember, you are working with the White House tour schedule, which is subject to change, even if you request tickets 90 days in advance. Public tours of the White House include the public rooms in the East Wing, which includes the Blue Room, Red Room and Green Room; the State Dining Room; the China Room; and a view of the White House Rose Garden.
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Use of public transportation is strongly encouraged, as there is no parking available on the White House complex and street parking is limited. The closest Metrorail stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), Metro Center (blue, orange, silver, and red lines), and McPherson Square (blue, orange, and silver lines). All U.S. citizens ages 18 and older, and foreign nationals of all ages (including children), must present a valid, government-issued photo ID upon arrival for their tour. During the 19th century the White House became a symbol of American democracy.
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Although the name “White House” was commonly used from about the same time (because the mansion’s white-gray sandstone contrasted strikingly with the red brick of nearby buildings), it did not become the official name of the building until 1901, when it was adopted by Pres. The White House is the oldest federal building in the nation’s capital. Our first president, George Washington, selected the site for the White House in 1791.
When most people plan a trip to Washington, D.C., they think of the White House. While you definitely want to book one of the White House tours, you also need to plan well in advance in order to enter the executive residence. Catch up on White House history with the free podcast The 1600 Sessions and enhance your trip with the White House Experience app from the White House Historical Association.

Not until 1909 did Congress provide appropriations to pay White House servants. The practice continued until 1885, when newly elected Grover Cleveland arranged for a presidential review of the troops from a grandstand in front of the White House instead of the traditional open house. President Bill Clinton briefly revived the New Year's Day open house in his first term.
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If you do, they still might not let you in whether you store the item back in your hotel or not. There are zero storage facilities and no storage lockers at the White House for personal items. You must leave all prohibited items in your hotel, car or elsewhere. If you show up with a prohibited item, you will be turned away from the tour. Or example, last we checked, the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Secret Service personnel that you meet have gone through special training and will try to answer as many questions as possible.
The center includes a new flagship retail store for the Association, featuring new and treasured items that support the Association's mission of enhancing the understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Executive Mansion. Early maps referred to the White House as the “President’s Palace,” but in 1810, the building was officially named “Executive Mansion” in order to avoid any connection to royalty. The residence has also been called “President’s House,” or “President’s Mansion.” In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt changed the official name to “White House,” a moniker that had been used throughout the 19th century.
Biden’s speech, which lasted around 10 minutes, made no mention of the ongoing war or the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. But the president quickly segued to a grim speech about what he believes is at stake this election, saying that another Trump administration would be even more harmful to America than his first term. And how many politicians have met a photo op they didn’t want to seize for a messaging moment?
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