The White House, located in Washington DC, is home to the President of the United States, come see and tour this historic building where all but one of America's Presidents resided.
Tours of the White House
Public tours of the White House are available to groups of 10 or more. Requests for the tours must be submitted through one representatives in Congress, and can be taken up to six months in advance. The tours are available from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (excluding Federal Holidays). The tours are free of charge.
What You'll See at the White House
You will see many memorable sights at the White House. Including, the Blue Room, or the elliptical salon, which has been used as a reception room for two centuries. The room got its name during the Presidency of Martin Van Buren in 1837, he had the salon repainted and redecorated, beginning the Blue Room tradition. You'll also get to see the grand entrance hall and cross halls as well as 9 other rooms in the White House.
On a tour of the White House you would also see the gardens surrounding the building. Having a garden at the White House was originally planned by George Washington. On a tour of the White House one might see flowers such as tulips, hycinths, and chrysanthemums in the East Garden.
How the White House Got Its Name
Construction of the White House began in 1792, it took eight years to complete enough of the house to make it livable. In 1800 the second U.S. President, John Adams, moved into the house; at that time called the President's Palace and then known as the President's House. During the War of 1812 British troops moved in on the capitol city. The First-Lady at the time, Dolly Madison would not flee for safety until the famous portrait of George Washington was taken to safety as well. The British burned the Capitol building and the President's House, the only thing saved from that fire was the portrait of Washington. After the war, the house was rebuilt and repainted white to cover smoke damage, that's when it became known as the White House.
Come see where Presidents of the past, present, and future live and work at the White House.
