For two hundred years, the White House has stood as a symbol of the Presidency, the United States government, and the American people. Its history, and the history of the nationΓÇÖs capital, began when President George Washington signed an Act of Congress in December of 1790 declaring that the federal government would reside in a district “not exceeding ten miles squareΓǪon the river Potomac.” President Washington, together with city planner Pierre LΓÇÖEnfant, chose the site for the new residence, which is now 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As preparations began for the new federal city, a competition was held to find a builder of the “PresidentΓÇÖs House.” Nine proposals were submitted, and Irish-born architect James Hoban won a gold medal for his practical and handsome design.

Construction began when the first cornerstone was laid in October of 1792. Although President Washington oversaw the construction of the house, he never lived in it. It was not until 1800, when the White House was nearly completed, that its first residents, President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved in. Since that time, each President has made his own changes and additions. The White House is, after all, the PresidentΓÇÖs private home. It is also the only private residence of a head of state that is open to the public, free of charge. Cont – White House Facts

Welcome to the White House

Click either image for an Aerial or BirdΓÇÖs Eye View of the White House

(Note ΓÇô quality has been degraded in BirdΓÇÖs Eye View)

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