As Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on January 20th, the White House once again became the residence of the Trump family. This monumental building, located in the heart of Washington, D.C., has 132 rooms across six floors, occupying approximately 55,000 square feet. The continuous renovations and changes made by each President’s family in the White House often reflect their style and views. So, when did the White House become the official home of the President? How has it been maintained for over 200 years?
The first President to live in the White House was John Adams. Although George Washington initiated its official construction, he never lived there, as he passed away in 1799, about a year before the move-in. The White House was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban, whose layout was selected in a competition among nine submissions. However, this so-called ‘President’s House’ was burned to the ground shortly after by British soldiers during the War of 1812. Hoban once again led the reconstruction of the building, and in 1817, James Madison and his wife were able to resume their residence.
Each administration has made both major and minor renovations to the White House. One of the most significant renovations took place under Theodore Roosevelt. The President’s office was relocated to the Executive Office Building, now known as the West Wing. Electric lighting was also installed during this time. Furthermore, Roosevelt officially named the residence the ‘White House’ in 1901. Before that, it had various names, including ‘President’s House’ and ‘Executive Mansion’.
Another major renovation occurred during the Truman administration. The White House showed serious structural weaknesses less than 50 years after Roosevelt’s renovations. While living in the Blair House, President Truman oversaw a complete redesign andrenovation of the entire interior, except for the third floor. In 1952, the President and his family moved back into the White House, and a televised tour of the home was recorded.
There is also a longstanding tradition of decorating the White House with a special theme during the Christmas season. This ‘selecting a theme’ rule was first introduced by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961, though many First Families had already celebrated the holiday season with parties and family traditions before then. One notable tradition is the 1993 gingerbread White House, created during the Clinton administration. Perhaps we should look forward to new changes that may be introduced by the Trump family, as these renovations and decorations often reflect the administration’s beliefs and views.
Works Cited
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By. Yeseo Kwak