White House

The White House has been the work from home residence of all US presidents since John Adams, the second president of the USA, who moved in for the final few months of his term in 1800. The building was burned by the British in the War of 1812 (in 1814), and was expanded as part of its reconstruction. The West Wing was added in 1901, and the first Oval Office was created there in 1909 by President Taft. The East Wing was added in 1942. In the late 1940s the main building was close to collapse, and was substantially rebuilt with a steel frame replacing the wood. Two sub-basements were also added, including a bomb shelter. After nearly three years living off-site at the Blair House, Truman moved back in in 1952. The reconstructed building was considered sparse by Jackie Kennedy, and she embarked on a major interior decoration program, adding many of the lavish furnishings and decorations there today. In 1961 the White House was officially declared to be a museum, and much of its contents belong to the Smithsonian. It officially has 55,000 square feet of space, and 132 rooms. Recreational facilities include a tennis court, bowling alley, swimming pool, putting green, and movie theater. Other amenities include the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, under the East Wing, and more underground facilities under the West Wing that were significantly expanded in 2010-2012. As possibly the nation’s most historically significant building, it is owned by the National Park Service.