The White House

Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, the White House is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. the White House has been the official residence of all the presidents of the United States with the exception of George Washington. The White House was completed in 1800 and John Adams was he first president to live there. The house was rebuilt and restored after it was burned by the British in 1814. The White House has 6 floors- two basements, two public floors, and two floors for the First Family. The Oval Office is where the president does the business of the country. There are 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms, and 6 levels to accommodate all the people who live in, work in, and visit the White House. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 7 staircases, and 3 elevators. At various times in history, the White House has been known as the "President's Palace," the "President's House," and the "Executive Mansion." President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name in 1901.The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface. With five full-time chefs, the White House kitchen is able to serve dinner to as many as 140 guests and hors d'oeuvres to more than 1,000. For recreation, the White House has a variety of facilities available to its residents, including a tennis court, a jogging track, swimming pool, movie theater, billiard room, and a bowling lane. The White House has stood as a symbol of the Presidency, the United States government and the American people.