The White House
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Embodying the symbol of the Presidency, the United States government and the American people, the White House is the official home of our Nation’s President and the First Family. Construction began in 1792, after George Washington chose the site and oversaw construction, however it was John Adams who first lived in the house and throughout much of his term of office, the house was still unfinished.
The Oval Office in the West Wing is the working part of the White House where the administration of the sitting President tends to the business of governing the country. The Oval Office is a 20th century addition, designed by the architect Nathan C. Wyeth at the order of President William Howard Taft in 1909. After a fire in 1929, it was rebuilt by Herbert Hoover and in 1934 Franklin D. Roosevelt enlarged the West Wing and added what we now know as today’s Oval Office, designed by Eric Gugler.
Changes to the Oval Office and many of the public White House rooms have been made by most every President who has resided here which adds to the history of the place. For over 200 years those changes, additions, acquisitions and remodelings have taken place, making the White House a comfortable home, while honoring it's historic heritage and preserving its prestige. The President and First Lady entertains foreign dignitaries including Kings, Queens, Prime Ministers and Presidents in the stately rooms throughout the main floors. The Presidential Residence on the upper floors is generally "off limits" to all but family, aides and close friends.
It was President Jefferson who opened the White House to public tours, letting America in to see America's House. Today visitors can tour select rooms in the White House through self-guided tours which are available from 7:30 am to 11 am Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 am to 12 pm Fridays, and 7:30 am to 1 pm Saturdays (excluding federal holidays). However public tours of the White House are available only by request which must be submitted through one’s Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. A first stop on tours should begin at the White House Visitor Center is open seven days a week from 7:30 am until 4 pm and provides a good overview of many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders, as well as a thirty-minute video.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
White House Visitor Center located at the southeast corner of 15th and E Streets
202-456-7041
