History of White House in Timeline

The White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue 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 'White House' also functions as a metonym for the Executive Office of the President. Its historical significance and central role in American governance make it a crucial landmark and a symbol of the executive branch.

1901: "The White House" Established as Formal Name

In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt established "The White House" as its formal name via Executive Order.

1901: Work Offices Relocated to West Wing

In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt relocated all work offices to the newly constructed West Wing due to crowding in the Executive Mansion.

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 suited to the building's architecture.

1902: Limestone Use in Renovations

Researchers believe limestone from the island was used in the 1902 renovations and not the original construction.

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.

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 of the Executive Residence was converted to living quarters by augmenting the existing hip roof with long shed dormers.

1929: Fire Damage to the West Wing

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

April 14, 1930: Herbert Hoover and Aides move back to West Wing

On April 14, 1930, Herbert Hoover and his aides moved back into the West Wing after it was damaged by fire on Christmas Eve 1929.

1935: Design by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.

The general layout of the White House grounds today is based on the 1935 design by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.

1939: Return of Artifacts

In 1939, a Canadian man returned a jewelry box to President Franklin Roosevelt, and a medicine chest was returned by descendants of a Royal Navy officer.

1942: East Wing Added to White House

In 1942, the East Wing was added to the White House.

1946: East Wing Alterations Completed

In 1946, the East Wing alterations were completed, creating additional office space.

1946: Construction of the Truman Balcony

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

1948: House Declared to Be in Imminent Danger of Collapse

By 1948, the house was declared to be in imminent danger of collapse.

1948: Discovery of Structural Failures

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

1949: 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 lived across the street at Blair House during the White House reconstruction.

March 27, 1952: Trumans Move Back into the White House

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

September 1961: White House Declared a Museum

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

1961: Jacqueline Kennedy Directs Redecoration

In 1961, Jacqueline Kennedy directed an extensive and historic redecoration of the White House.

1961: Antique Wallpaper Installed

In 1961, Mrs. Kennedy installed an antique "Vue de l'Amérique Nord" wallpaper in the Diplomatic Reception Room.

1962: First White House Guide Published

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 Restoration

In a televised tour of the house on Valentine's Day in 1962, Kennedy showed her restoration of the White House to the public.

1969: Pat Nixon Refurbishes Rooms

In 1969, First Lady Pat Nixon refurbished the Green Room, Blue Room, and Red Room.

February 1974: Stolen Helicopter Landing

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

1974: Nixon Administration

During the Nixon Administration (1969-1974), First Lady Pat Nixon refurbished the Green Room, Blue Room, and Red Room, working with Clement Conger, the curator appointed by President Richard Nixon.

1977: First Lady's Office Formally Established

In 1977, Rosalynn Carter was the first to place her personal office in the East Wing and to 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, instantly killing him.

April 19, 1995: Oklahoma City bombing

On April 19, 1995, the Oklahoma City bombing happened.

May 20, 1995: Pennsylvania Avenue Closed to Traffic

On May 20, 1995, the United States Secret Service closed off Pennsylvania Avenue to vehicular traffic in front of the White House as a response to the Oklahoma City bombing.

1999: Renaming of the Old Executive Office Building

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

September 11, 2001: Security Changes After September 11 Attacks

After September 11, 2001, Pennsylvania Avenue closure was made permanent, and E Street between the South Portico and the Ellipse was closed.

September 2003: Limited White House Tours Resume

In September 2003, White House tours resumed on a limited basis for groups making prior arrangements and submitting to background checks.

2003: Reinstallation of Solar Thermal Heaters

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

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

On May 12, 2005, the White House was evacuated after an unauthorized aircraft approached the grounds. The pilot was identified as a student who accidentally breached the airspace.

2005: NASAMS Units Used for Airspace Patrol

During the 2005 presidential inauguration, NASAMS units were used to patrol the airspace over Washington, D.C. These units are now used to protect the president and the 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 fell during a storm.

2007: White House Ranked Second on AIA List

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

2007: Renovations of the Press Briefing Room

In 2007, work was completed on renovations of the press briefing room, adding fiber optic cables and LCD screens.

September 2010: Two-Year Project Began on West Wing

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

November 2013: White House Reopens to Public

In November 2013, the White House reopened to the public after being suspended 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 which crashed on the southeast side of the White House grounds, leading to a temporary lockdown.

2017: Removal of Jackson Magnolia

In 2017, the Jackson Magnolia tree was deemed too weak to stand and 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, who showed him around the rose garden.

June 2023: Fighter Jets Intercept Aircraft

In June 2023, fighter jets intercepted a light aircraft that violated Washington DC airspace near the White House, before it crashed in Virginia, killing all occupants.