History of White House in Timeline

The White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., serves as the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States. It has been the presidential residence since 1800, starting with John Adams. The term "The White House" is also used to refer to the Executive Office of the President.

1901: Establishment of 'The White House' as the Formal Name

In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt officially established "The White House" as the formal name of the building via Executive Order.

1901: Relocation of Work Offices to the West Wing

In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt relocated all work offices from the executive mansion to the newly constructed West Wing due to crowding.

1902: Expansions and Renovations by McKim, Mead & White

In 1902, Theodore Roosevelt hired McKim, Mead & White to carry out expansions and renovations in a neoclassical style, removing the Tiffany screen and all Victorian additions.

1902: Limestone Use in White House Renovations

Researchers believe limestone from the island of Brač was used in the 1902 renovations of the White House.

1909: Expansion of the West Wing and Creation of the First Oval Office

In 1909, President William Howard Taft expanded the West Wing and created the first Oval Office, which was later moved and expanded.

1925: Legislation Allowing Gifts of Furniture and Art

In 1925, Congress enacted legislation allowing the White House to accept gifts of furniture and art for the first time.

1927: Conversion of the Third Floor Attic to Living Quarters

In 1927, the third floor attic in the Executive Residence was converted to living quarters by augmenting the existing hip roof with long shed dormers.

1929: Fire Damages the West Wing

In 1929, the West Wing was damaged by fire on Christmas Eve.

April 14, 1930: Herbert Hoover and his aides moved back into the West Wing

On April 14, 1930 Herbert Hoover and his aides moved back into the West Wing after it was repaired from the fire.

1935: Layout design by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.

In 1935, the general layout of the White House grounds was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. of the Olmsted Brothers firm, after being commissioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1939: Return of Artifacts to President Roosevelt

In 1939, a Canadian man returned a jewelry box to President Franklin Roosevelt, and the descendants of a Royal Navy officer returned a medicine chest that had belonged to President Madison.

1942: Addition of the East Wing

The East Wing was added to the White House in 1942.

1946: Completion of East Wing Alterations

In 1946, the East Wing alterations were completed, creating additional office space, with Jefferson's colonnades connecting the new wings.

1946: Construction of the Truman Balcony

In 1946, the Truman Balcony was built at the center of the southern façade of the White House.

1948: White House Declared in Imminent Danger of Collapse

By 1948, the White House was declared to be in imminent danger of collapse due to poor maintenance and structural issues.

1948: Structural Issues Identified

By 1948, the residence's load-bearing walls and wood beams were found to be close to failure, necessitating significant renovations.

1949: President Truman Commissions Reconstruction

In 1949, President Truman commissioned a reconstruction of the White House due to its imminent danger of collapse.

1951: Truman Resides at Blair House

From 1949 to 1951, President Truman resided at Blair House while the White House underwent reconstruction.

March 27, 1952: The Trumans moved back into the White House

On March 27, 1952, the Trumans moved back into the White House after renovations were completed.

September 1961: Legislation Declaring the White House a Museum

In September 1961, Congress enacted legislation declaring the White House a museum, protecting its furniture, fixtures, and decorative arts from being sold.

1961: Jacqueline Kennedy Directs White House Redecoration

In 1961, Jacqueline Kennedy directed an extensive and historic redecoration of the White House, enlisting the help of Henry Francis du Pont.

1961: Installation of Antique Wallpaper

In 1961, Mrs. Kennedy installed an antique "Vue de l'Amérique Nord" wallpaper designed by Zuber & Cie in 1834 in the Diplomatic Reception Room.

1962: Publication of First Official White House Guide

In 1962, the first official White House guide suggested a link between Hoban's design for the South Portico and Château de Rastignac.

1962: Televised Tour of the White House

On Valentine's Day in 1962, Jacqueline Kennedy gave a televised tour of the White House, showcasing its restoration to the public.

1969: Pat Nixon Refurbishes White House Rooms

In 1969, First Lady Pat Nixon began refurbishing the Green Room, Blue Room, and Red Room, working with Clement Conger.

February 1974: Stolen helicopter landing

In February 1974, a stolen U.S. Army helicopter landed without authorization on the White House grounds.

1974: End of Nixon Administration

The Nixon Administration ended in 1974.

1977: Rosalynn Carter Establishes Office of the First Lady

In 1977, Rosalynn Carter was the first to place her personal office in the East Wing and formally call it the "Office of the First Lady".

1988: White House Accredited as a Museum

In 1988, the White House was accredited as a museum.

1994: Plane crash on White House grounds

In 1994, a stolen light plane flown by Frank Eugene Corder crashed on White House grounds, resulting in his death.

April 19, 1995: Oklahoma City Bombing

The Oklahoma City bombing of April 19, 1995, was the primary cause of the closing of Pennsylvania Avenue to vehicular traffic in front of the White House.

May 20, 1995: Closure of Pennsylvania Avenue

On May 20, 1995, the United States Secret Service closed off Pennsylvania Avenue to vehicular traffic in front of the White House.

1999: Eisenhower Executive Office Building Name Change

Until 1999, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building was called the Old Executive Office Building.

September 11, 2001: Permanent Closure after September 11 Attacks

After the September 11, 2001, attacks, the closure of Pennsylvania Avenue was made permanent, along with closing E Street between the South Portico of the White House and the Ellipse.

September 2003: Resumption of White House tours

In September 2003, White House tours resumed on a limited basis for groups making prior arrangements.

2003: Reinstallation of Solar Thermal Heaters

In 2003, the Bush administration reinstalled solar thermal heaters to heat water for landscape maintenance personnel and for the presidential pool and spa.

May 12, 2005: White House Evacuation due to Unauthorized Aircraft

On May 12, 2005, the White House was evacuated due to an unauthorized aircraft approaching the grounds. The pilot, a student, was forced to land by fighter jets and a helicopter.

2005: NASAMS Units Used for Airspace Protection

During the 2005 presidential inauguration, NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) units were used to patrol the airspace over Washington, D.C. The same units have been used since to protect the president and airspace around the White House.

June 23, 2006: American Elm tree falls

On June 23, 2006, a century-old American Elm tree on the north side of the White House grounds fell during a storm.

2007: Renovations Completed on Press Briefing Room

In 2007, renovations were completed on the press briefing room, adding fiber optic cables and LCD screens at a cost of $8 million.

2007: White House Ranked Second on AIA's List

In 2007, the White House was ranked second on the American Institute of Architects list of America's Favorite Architecture.

September 2010: Start of West Wing Underground Structure Project

In September 2010, a two-year project began on the West Wing to create a multistory underground structure.

November 2013: White House reopens to the public

In November 2013, the White House reopened to the public after being closed for most of the year due to budget constraints.

2013: Installation of Solar Panels on the White House Roof

In 2013, President Barack Obama had a set of solar panels installed on the roof of the White House, marking the first time solar power was used for the president's living quarters.

January 27, 2015: Drone Crash on White House Grounds

On January 27, 2015, an intoxicated man lost control of a quadcopter drone, causing it to crash on the southeast side of the White House grounds, leading to a temporary lockdown.

2017: Removal of the Jackson Magnolia

In 2017, the Jackson Magnolia, which had become too weak to stand on its own, was removed and replaced with one of its offspring.

2020: Rose Garden Redesign and Visit

In 2020, First Lady Melania Trump redesigned the Rose Garden. Also in 2020, Berat Albayrak, Minister of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Turkey, visited US President Donald Trump at the White House, where President Trump showed him around the rose garden.

June 2023: Fighter Jets Intercept Aircraft

In June 2023, fighter jets were deployed to intercept a light aircraft that violated Washington DC airspace near the White House. The aircraft subsequently crashed in Virginia, resulting in the death of all occupants.