The history of the White House: the home of the President of the United States

A photograph of the White House taken from the front yard, through the White House.

The history of the White House

In medieval Europe, kings and other rulers were often known for their impressive and sturdy castles. Today, we collectively refer to the executive administrations of countries by their headquarters, such as the "White House," "Kremlin," "10 Downing Street," or "Buckingham Palace." While most Americans know that the "White House" refers to the president's administration, many are not familiar with the history of this famous mansion.

Has America always had the White House, and has it always looked the way it does today? Has it always been a fortress with a high level of security? Let's take a look at the history of the country's most famous residence and its evolution from a simple house to an extensive office complex capable of governing the nation.

Before the White House: The Making of the Presidency

An ancient portrait of George Washington, the first president of the United States, was not created while he was in office!

• This document, the Articles of Confederation, did not include the position of head of the executive branch.
• After the republic nearly fell apart during the Shay's Rebellion (1786-87), many people wanted to amend the Articles to provide more executive power to maintain order and security.

George Washington, the hero of the American Revolution, agreed to become the chairman of this assembly when it convened in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787.

Preparations for the establishment of a national capital

A map of Washington DC from 1792, which was created to serve as the capital of the United States and to avoid placing the capital within any state.

However, the first president, George Washington, did not live in the White House. The entire capital, Washington D.C., did not exist in 1789 when Washington took office.

• Unlike most countries, the United States specifically created a federal city that exists independently, outside of any state, to serve as the national capital.

The Simple White House (1815-early 1900s)

A photograph of the White House from around 1880, from the Wellcome Collection. The White House was restored after the War of 1812.

Modernization of the White House: Security System

Until 1823, there was no security at the White House. The first guards worked as tour guides during the day, and it wasn't until 1830 that the first security services were stationed outside the building during public events.

• In 1837, the White House finally got its first permanent guard, and several guards became the standard in the 1840s.

Expansion of the complex

The West Wing of the White House, originally built in 1902 and periodically expanded over time.