Helping Aubie this week is Dr. Larry Gerber, professor of history, with AU’s College of Liberal Arts.

Dear Akela,

The White House, the official residence of the president of the United States, first opened in 1800 when the second president, John Adams, and his wife Abigail moved in.  It was not until 1901, however, that the official name of the residence was changed from the Executive Mansion to the White House.  

The original White House was designed by James Hobson, but it was burnt down in 1814 by the British during the War of 1812, so that then president James Madison had to move into what had been a private home for the rest of his presidency.  President James Monroe moved back in to a reconstructed White House in 1817.  The south portico was added in 1824, and a north portico in 1830.  Running water and central heating were installed in the 1830s (though hot water did not become available until 1853), and the first telephone (with a telephone number of 1) came into use in 1877.

         While Theodore Roosevelt was president, the White House underwent a major renovation in 1902 under the direction of what was probably the most famous American architectural firm of the day, McKim, Mead, and White.  Still more changes were made when the now famous West Wing was added in 1934 and an East Wing executive office building was constructed during World War II.  Today, the White House may well be the most easily recognizable residence in the entire world.

Thanks for your question,
Aubie and Dr. Gerber