The White House

        When people think of the White House, they think of the enormous building in which the president and his family live. The President does the majority of his work with his advisers at the White House. The history of the White House is one like no other. The Oval Office is one of the major rooms in the White House. Not only is the White House the home of the First Family, they hold events open to the public such as the 2011 Easter Egg Roll and tours open to the public with the necessary precautions taken to protect the people who go to work at the White House everyday.

        The White House has been around and in progress for over 200 years. The White House was first established by George Washington in 1790. Washington signed an Act of Congress which stated, “That the federal government would reside in a district 'not exceeding ten miles square...on the river Potomac.'” (U.S. Government). This gave the idea of the central government to be located in one main place where the majority of the governmental planning and actions could be made. Washington, along with Pierre L'Enfant, the city planner, chose the sight for the building, which is now 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Multiple proposals were submitted as to the structure of the building, but James Hoban's idea was chosen and was awarded a gold medal for his idea. Construction of the building began in October of 1792. The building was not complete until 1800, when Washington was no longer President, so the first, First Family to live in the White House was John Adams and his wife. The building itself has survived a lot. Years of usage and the weather around it. Not only this, but the White House has had 2 fires throughout history. In 1814, the British set fire to the White House, as a tactic used in the War of 1812. The second fire was in the West Wing of the building in 1929, while Herbert Hoover was in office. Today the White House is home to the Obama Family and the building consists of 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms and 6 levels in which the first Family lives, there are 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases and 3 elevators. (U.S. Government). The White House has had many families living in it, but still today the White House is the symbol for the President and the United States Government.

        The Oval Office is a main room in the White House. The Oval Office is the official office for the President who is in office. The office was designed by Nathan Wyeth in 1909, at the request of President William Howard Taft in 1909. The Oval Office is named for the actual oval shape of the office. The Oval Office is part of the West Wing of the White House, the West Wing, including the Oval Office was damaged due to the fire In 1929. The office was then rebuilt by President Herbert C. Hoover. Then in 1934, President Roosevelt enlarged the West Wing and added today's Oval Office to the White House, the current Oval Office was designed by Eric Gugler. The physical architecture of the Oval Office adds to the symbolic standing of the office. “There are three large south-facing windows behind the Presidents desk, as well as four doors into different parts of the West Wing. The ceiling is adorned with an elaborate molding around the edge, and features elements of the Seal of the President. Each President has the power to personalize the Oval Office while President. They can change the drapery, get new carpets to cover the floor and select paintings from the White House's collection, or borrow them from museums to add a personal touch while in office. (U.S. Government) The Oval Office is one of the most famous rooms in the White House and when many people think of the President, they think of him working in his Oval Office. This is party due to the fact that presidents usually use the oval office as the space in which they hold meeting that are televised. The Oval Office is a key part to the White House and the idea of a powerful President.

        Presidents live in the White House. Their families live there as well. The White House is also home to public events such as the Annual Egg Roll. This year, the Obama family hosted the 133 White House Easter Egg Roll on April 25, 2011. 30, 000 people showed up to the event, from all 50 states. First Lady Michelle Obama is an advocate for children's health and physical activity, so this year the theme was, “Get up and Go!”. White House tours are also available to the public. The self guided tours are allowed when convenient for the people with in the White House. All white house tours are free of charge. This tours are also open to citizens of foreign countries, at the request that they contact their embassy in Washington, DC. As people would assume though, the security during these tours are tight. Any person wishing to take a tour needs to have a valid US issued ID and cameras and bags are prohibited from being brought on the tours. (United States Government) Although it may be hard to get one, getting a first hand look at the White House and how it operates would be a great experience for anyone, especially if you are interested in history or government.

       For over 200 years, the White House has been the icon for the President and his administration. The White House idea was first introduced by George Washington in 1790. When it was complete in 1800, John Adams was the first president to live in the White House and run his administration from it. The White House has also gone through 2 fires and renovations made by presidents. The Oval Office is a key point of the White House and the main purpose is for the Presidents official office, that can be decorated and personalized in any way they please. White House events and tours have also became open to the public throughout the years.“The White House today is the only private residence of a head of state that is open to the public, free of charge” (U.S. Government)

United States Government. “2011 White House Easter Egg Roll.” White House. 22 May 2011. http://www.whitehouse.gov/eastereggroll

United States Government “The Oval Office” White House. 21 May 2011. http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/oval-office

United States Government. “History” White House. 21May 2011. http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/history