Inauguration Slideshow: Behind The Scenes At The White House
The site for the White House was selected in 1791 by President George Washington. In 1800, President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved into the house. The British set fire to the House in 1814 during the War of 1812. President James Monroe moved into the building in 1817. The White House was officially given its name in 1901 by President Theodore Roosevelt. It was majorly renovated in 1902 by President Theodore Roosevelt.
There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors and 147 windows in the White House. The White House also has 6 levels, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases and 3 elevators. To paint its outside surface, the White House requires 570 gallons of paint. (Courtesy: www.whitehouse.gov)
The Oval Office is the official office of the President and his primary place of work. It provides the President with access to his senior advisors and the Executive Residence.
The Resolute Desk was made from timbers of the British Navy Ship, H.M.S. Resolute. It was presented to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880 by Queen Victoria. Presidents Johnson, Nixon and Ford were the only presidents not to use the desk. (Courtesy: www.whitehouse.gov)
The State Dining Room originally served as Thomas Jefferson’s Cabinet room and office.
(Courtesy: www.whitehouse.gov)
The Situation Room was established in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy insisted that intelligence information be fed directly into the White House during the Bay of Pigs Invasion.
(Courtesy: www.whitehouse.gov)
The Situation Room was established in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy insisted that intelligence information be fed directly into the White House during the Bay of Pigs Invasion.
(Courtesy: www.whitehouse.gov)
The President keeps busy meeting with Cabinet Secretaries, the National Security Council, members of Congress and foreign Heads of State in The Cabinet Room. (Courtesy: www.whitehouse.gov)
More space was required during the Nixon Administration to accommodate the growing press corps. The Press Briefing Room was constructed in 1970 on top of an empty swimming pool that was used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's physical therapy. (Courtesy: www.whitehouse.gov)
Originally built by Thomas Jefferson, The East Terrace was demolished in 1866. Theodore Roosevelt reconstructed the area during renovations of the White House in 1902. The Colonnade connects the East Wing to the Residence. (Courtesy: www.whitehouse.gov)
Food has been provided to the Commander in Chief by the Navy Stewards since 1880. President Harry S. Truman created the modern White House Navy Mess in 1951. Fine foods are prepared and served by the Navy’s culinary specialists. (Courtesy: www.whitehouse.gov)
In The Flower Shop, arrangements are prepared by White House florists for anything from a state dinner to everyday floral accents seen throughout the White House. (Courtesy: www.whitehouse.gov)
The Rose Garden was redesigned by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy after first being designed by First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson in 1913. Kennedy redesigned the area to serve as a Presidential reception area. President Richard Nixon’s daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, was married in The Rose Garden in 1971. (www.whitehouse.gov)
As President Obama is sworn in to his second term in office we take a behind the scenes look at the The White House, the iconic symbol of the American presidency.
M-F 5-8AM, Noon, 4PM, 5PM, 6PM & 10PM
