The White House
By Tania Dooley
 |
| Image Credit: Rene DeAnda via Unsplash The White House |
The White House is among the most famous buildings in the world. When people refer to the White House they generally know that this is the workplace of the President of the United States but it is also where he and his family resides. Famously located on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue it is close to the U.S. Capital building where Congress meets and it is close to historical monuments and other highly-visited landmarks.
 |
| Image Credit: Andy Feliciotti via Unsplash U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. |
It was George Washington who first picked the site of the White House right along the Potomac River. Thomas Jefferson suggested that there be a contest to see who could devise the best plans for the architecture, and the architect who won was Irish-born, James Hoban. It took nearly ten years to build from beginning to end. It wasn't until President Theodore Roosevelt took office that it officially became known as "The White House" because before this it was also called "The President's House" and "The Executive Mansion" (White House History.org).
 |
| Image Credit: Via Unsplash - The Blue Room |
The White House is beautifully thought out both inside and out. The President's office is referred to as the Oval Office and it is located in the West Wing. In total there are 132 rooms (Ward & Abadi, 2020), and some rooms are referred to as the green room, the blue room, and the red room, each one having its specific purpose related to the type of guests the President is receiving. There is beautiful artwork on display as well as priceless antique furniture. It has been renovated several times since it was first built. Over the years it has been updated to keep up with more modern times and has added amenities such as a pool, a family theater, an elevator, and even a tennis and basketball court.
The White House is a bustling place as it employs people to oversee the grounds and functions like chefs, and household workers, and maintenance crews, but it also employs everyone who supports the job of the President such as Chief of Staff, and all the many advisors who work under his direction.
Americans are proud to have this as a monumental building that represents democracy. It is open to the public for tours so that American people can get a glimpse of how the President lives and where he makes all the important decisions for this nation. It is after all, a house that belongs to the American people.
Recommended Video:
What's inside of the White House? by Jared Owen, via YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW6hxlThB_o
References
The White House Historical Association. (2020). How did the White House get its name? Retrieved October 26, 2020 from https://www.whitehousehistory.org/questions/how-did-the-white-house-get-its-name
Ward, M., Abadi, M. (2020). Business Insider. A look at the White House which has 132 rooms, a restaurant, and the offices of some of the most powerful people in the world. Retrieved October 26, 2020 from https://www.businessinsider.com/white-house-tour-rooms-2018-2
