White House, its secrets: how many rooms it has and who built it

Dear history enthusiasts,

As Daniela Uslan, I’m excited to recommend “White House, Its Secrets” for anyone curious about this iconic American landmark. This book offers a fascinating glimpse into the hidden aspects of the presidential residence.

Key facts:
• The White House has 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms
• It was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban in 1792
• Construction began in 1792 and was completed in 1800

The book delves into lesser-known details, such as:
• The underground bunker added during WWII
• The various renovations and expansions over the centuries
• Stories of presidential families and their experiences living in the White House

For history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike, “White House, Its Secrets” provides a comprehensive look at America’s most famous residence. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of American history and architectural heritage.

Learn more about White House history.

If there is one building in the world that is shrouded in mystery, then that is the White House, the official residence of the President of the United States of America. In fact, we know everything: who built it, how many rooms it has, the architectural style, the interior. And yet, over the years, urban legends around the White House have spread exponentially, so much so that the term “fake news” has been bothered. In the imagination anyway, that white building located on Pennsylvania Avenue harbors a myriad of secrets (such as the famous alligators, or even underground bunkers). Let’s find out how much of it is true!

Who built the White House

There are those who have always dreamed of visiting Washington for this very reason: to see the White House up close! The whiteness of which is almost dazzling, besides the fact that we are in front of one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. But who built it? It was the first president of the United States of America who chose the construction site, viz. George Washington, but the first architect, viz. Pierre l’Enfant, has been fired. Reason? Insubordination.

At this point, to give everyone a chance to write an important page of American history, a national competition was held, ultimately won by James Hoban, an Irish-born architect. At first glance, the White House appears as a elegant building, but certainly not excessive. In neoclassical style, there is no opulence or royalty: the architect was inspired by Leinster House, which is located in Dublin and is now the seat of the Irish Parliament. Impossible, moreover, not to notice the main features of the neoclassical style: the colonnade, the Ionic-inspired capitals, as if to evoke the power and beauty of a temple.

How many rooms does the White House have: the interiors

There are many legends revolving around the White House, we have said. Built between 1792 and 1829, it was also partially rebuilt as the British burned the building. So that’s the reason it’s called that: because white brush strokes were used to cover all the smoke marks as a result of the fire. Initially, however, it was not called that: the official name, which we all know today, was given by Theodore Roosevelt in 1901.

We are talking about an imposing building: no, the White House is not “small” or modest in size, considering that it boasts as much as 5,000 walkable square meters and is divided between the east and west wings, as well as having 6 floors. They are 132 rooms present within it, in addition to 35 bathrooms, but let’s rattle off some more numbers: 412 doors, 147 windows, 3 elevators, 28 chimneys, 8 scales. To which are added a tennis court, a swimming pool, a billiard hall, a bowling alley, even a movie theater or even a jogging track. When State Dinners are planned, which can accommodate up to 400 people, as many as 5 chefs are personally in charge of the menu.

Of course, the building features some iconic rooms, such as the world-famous Oval Office in which presidents have succeeded each other throughout history, from Barack Obama to Donald Trump, all the way to Joe Biden. In the Cabinet Room, on the other hand, they discuss business with the president, and in the Situation Room everything is kept under control. And where, on the other hand, does the First Lady work? Precisely in the East Wing, where the office is. Even with a guided tour, not all the rooms can be visited, of course.

It is worth mentioning the restoration Of Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of the president John F. Kennedy, who was responsible for collecting many White House artifacts, a period of improvement that made this building even more refined, so much so that an interior design firm from Paris was even hired. Rooms were altered in appearance and style, such as the Green Room which evoked the federal style, while the Blue Room the style of the French Empire, or again Louis XVI inspiration was chosen for the Yellow Oval Room.

Upon completion of the restoration, the White House has become even more authentic, of a magnificence that was never excessive, thanks to Jacqueline’s great taste and the excellent work done by the experts. It must be said, in any case, that after Jackie Kennedy’s restoration other families of the President made improvements or modifications.

Secrets of the White House

Behind the snow-white, much more is hidden. The symbol of the American presidency has always been a kind of “magnet” for urban legends. After all, the White House, in the common imagination, is mysterious by definition, although we know all about its architecture. Some say that among the tenants of the White House there have even been the alligators (difficult to determine how much truth there is in this statement), or even that there are bunkers e secret tunnels. In fact, however, a bunker does exist, and the tunnels are not secret at all (there are at least two to be counted).

Is it possible to visit the White House?

Since September 1961, when the Law was enacted, the White House has also become a museum, and not just the official residence of the President. Many items or furniture, therefore, cannot be sold (as had been the case in the past), and when they are not in use or on display at the White House, they must necessarily be turned over to the Smithsonian Institution, which is in charge of preservation, storage, study or, finally, exhibition.

Yes, the White House can be visited. Indeed, for those traveling to Washington, it is almost a must: open to the public, you can request a guided tour to discover all its secrets. As we have seen, not all rooms can be visited: in the East Wing, for example, you can see the Blue Room, the Red Room, and the Green Room. The latter has long been the room designated for receptions. The Blue Room, on the other hand, which is characterized by its typical elliptical shape, is the formal reception room, while the Red Room, known in Roosevelt’s time as the President’s Antechamber, is used as a dining room. There is good news: visiting the White House is free, but there is a catch. You cannot choose to visit it on the same day, but instead you have to apply well in advance.