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The White House: The Story of the Most Important House in the World

2022-09-08 18:11:32Histori SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
The White House: The Story of the Most Important House in the World
How the "White House" was built and the special history of the name

The place where the house of the President of the United States of America would be built was chosen by President George Washington himself in 1791. The construction of the president's house began a year later, but it was not until November of 1800 that it welcomed its first residents. Even then the house was not yet furnished. Abigail Adams, the wife of the second president of the United States, John Adams, wrote about the new house: "This house is already habitable, but there is not a single piece of furniture inside yet. I use her biggest room to hang clothes." During the 1812 war with England, the British entered the nation's capital, Washington DC, which was undefended. The president was not there at that time. Before leaving the President's House, as it was then called, Dolly Madison, wife of President James Madison, managed to save from the burning a large painting of George Washington, the work of the famous painter Gilbert Stuart and several other important objects. British soldiers set fire to the President's House. The President's House was later rebuilt preserving the same appearance and architecture. However, after its reconstruction, all the walls were painted white to erase the traces of the fire. Since then, Americans have learned to call the president's home the "White House." In 1902 the US Congress made this name official. After 100 years of life and more since its construction, the skeleton of the White House began to age and weaken. In 1948 the question arose as to whether the White House should be repaired while maintaining the same design, or should it be demolished and a brand new residence built in its place. The American people gave their answer through countless letters. The "White House" was the White House and so it had to remain, inheriting its appearance. The will of the people won and the president's house was strengthened, but it remained, as George Washington said, "a place with the symptoms of a palace, the comfort of a home, and a symbol of the harmony of the country."

How America's Capital Was Built

The inauguration of President George Washington, as the first president of the USA, took place in New York (April 14, 1789), but it was the temporary capital. Then, in 1790, Philadelphia became the capital. But Philadelphia was not found suitable either. Each state had its capital, which could not be the capital of the federation at the same time. A new capital had to be set up so that it would not belong to any state, it would be in a special place and it would also have its own territory. Then Maryland and Virginia donated land for this purpose near the Potamik River. This territory, which was called the "District of Columbia," at that time seemed like an appropriate choice since it fell in the middle of America at that time, and it seems that it was a fair decision because since then the capital never changed its place. Before work began on the construction of the capital, Thomas Jefferson who had seen many capitals of Europe with wonderful gardens gave his ideas on the capital. But this work ultimately belonged to professional architects, so different architects were invited to compete with their projects. The architect credited with the city plan was Charles L'Enfant who had studied engineering and the arts in Paris before coming to America to take part in the American Revolutionary War. His first architectural work had been New York City's City Hall. But immortal fame was given to him by the project of the federal capital, Washington. In the center of the future capital he gave the vision of a lawn of green grass. He placed the US Congress building (Capitol Hill) on the hill from where the city center and the Potomac River could be seen. In his plan he envisioned twelve main roads leading from the capitol to the city. Then a competition was announced for the architecture of the White House, which was won by an Irish architect, James Hoban. Thomas Jefferson entered the contest under a pseudonym, but did not win. Competition was also organized for the building of the American Congress. For this, the project of the architect William Thornton, who had studied architecture in Scotland, was accepted. George Washington said about his project that "it contains greatness, simplicity and convenience". The Capitol took years to build, and was still under construction when Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th president of the United States. The participation of different architects from around the world for the construction of the country's capital was an expression of the democracy of the American government. For the ideas, the thoughts given to make the capital of the United States of America as beautiful as possible, the nationality of the architects did not matter. This feature was also noticed by Alexis De Tocqueville when he came to study the new American democracy in the 1930s. This was the feature of this country that distinguished and distinguishes it from others: it was built and developed by people of nationalities from all over the world without any prejudice.

The White House: The Story of the Most Important House in the World

For nearly 200 years, the White House has served as a symbol of the presidency, the US government, and Americans. Its history and the history of the American capital began when President George Washington signed the Act of Congress, in December 1790, declaring that the federal government would remain in an area "not exceeding twenty-five square miles, above the Potomac River." President Washington, along with the city designer, Pierre L'Enfant, chose the site for the new residence, which is now "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue". While preparations were being made for the new federal city, a competition was held to find a builder of the "President's House". Nine proposals were accepted and the Irish architect, James Hoban, was chosen. Construction began when the first foundation stone was laid in October 1792.

Although President Washington attended the construction of the house, he never lived there. It wasn't until 1800, when the White House was almost finished, that it was occupied by the first residents, President John Adams and his wife. Since then, every president has made his own changes and additions.

The White House is, after all, the president's private home. The White House has a unique and fascinating history. It survived a fire in 1814 and another fire in the West Wing in 1929, when Herbert Hoover was president.

During the presidency of Harry S. Truman, the interior of the house, with the exception of the third floor, was completely demolished and renovated.

DATA FOR THE WHITE HOUSE

Building

The construction of the White House began with the first cornerstone, on October 13, 1792, without any formal ceremony. The main residence, as well as the foundations of the house, were built primarily by enslaved and free African American laborers, as well as hired Europeans. The rest of the work was done by immigrants, who did not yet have citizenship. The sandstone walls were erected by Scottish immigrants employed by the architect Hoban, as were the high reliefs and decorations above the north entrance. Much of the brick and plaster work was done by Irish and Italian immigrants. Initial construction took place over a period of eight years and at a cost of $232,371.82 ($2.4 million in 2005 value). Although not yet finished, the White House was ready for occupancy around November 1, 1800. Lack of materials and labor made it necessary to change the previous plan of the French engineer Pierre l'Enfant for a "palace" that would be five times larger than the house that was currently built. The built house originally contained two floors instead of the three that were planned. When construction was completed, the sandstone walls were painted with a mixture of lime, caffeine and lead, giving the house its characteristic color and name.

Name

The building originally had several names, such as "Palace of the President", "Presidential Residence", or "House of the President". The earliest records of the name "White House" are recorded in 1811. There is a legend according to which, during the reconstruction of the structure, white paint was applied to mask the damage caused by the fire, giving it the name, but since she was covered in white from the beginning, this theory falls flat. "Executive Residence" was the name used in an official context until President Theodore Roosevelt established the formal name "White House - Washington" by inscribing it on all official documents.

The letterhead "The White House" with the word "Washington" underneath belongs to the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Although it was not built until several years after George Washington's presidency, there are theories that the traditional name of the US president's home may have originated from Martha Custis Washington's White House Plantation in New Kent, Virginia, when the president of the first of the nation and his wife had known each other in the middle of the 18th century.

The evolution of the White House

John Adams became the first president to reside in the White House. During his second day at home he wrote a letter to his wife Abigail, in which was a prayer for the house: "I pray God to give the best blessings to this House and to all who shall dwell here now and back. Only honest and wise men ruled under this roof." Franklin Delano Roosevelt carved Adams' blessing into the Dining Room fireplace. Adams did not live long in the house, and soon after it was the turn of Thomas Jefferson, who gave his ideas on how the White House should be changed. It was Benjamin Henry Latrobe who helped him sketch the East and West Colonnades, small wings that help hide the areas where common household activities such as laundry, stables and storerooms take place. today, Jefferson's colonnades connect the mansion to the West and East Wings. In 1814, during the War of 1812, British troops set fire to the White House, and much of Washington was affected by the fires. Only the outer walls remained and they had to be demolished and rebuilt as they were weakened by the fire. After the fire, both architects, Benjamin Henry Latrobe and Hoban contributed to the design and reconstruction of the White House. The south portico was built in 1824, during the presidency of James Monroe, while the north portico was built six years later. Only the outer walls remained and they had to be demolished and rebuilt as they were weakened by the fire. After the fire, both architects, Benjamin Henry Latrobe and Hoban contributed to the design and reconstruction of the White House. The south portico was built in 1824, during the presidency of James Monroe, while the north portico was built six years later. Only the outer walls remained and they had to be demolished and rebuilt as they were weakened by the fire. After the fire, both architects, Benjamin Henry Latrobe and Hoban contributed to the design and reconstruction of the White House. The south portico was built in 1824, during the presidency of James Monroe, while the north portico was built six years later.

The White House: The Story of the Most Important House in the World

The White House today

Since the Kennedy Restoration, each presidential family has made some changes to their private rooms in the White House, but changes to the State Rooms must be approved by the White House Maintenance Committee (formerly known as the Committee on Fine Arts). Kennedy). With the goal of preserving the historic integrity of the White House, the committee works with the First Family, usually the First Lady, to implement the family's proposed plans.

West Wing

In the West Wing is the office of the president (Oval Office) and the offices of his close staff, of about 50 people.

The West Wing also includes the Cabinet Room, where the president conducts business meetings and where the US Cabinet meets. This part of the building was used for the filming of the series "The West Wing".

East Wing

The East Wing, which has additional office space, was added to the White House in 1942. It houses the offices for the First Lady's staff and the White House Social Office. Rosaly Carter in 1977 was the first to place her personal office in the East Wing formally calling it the "Office of the First Lady". The East Wing was built during World War II.

The Oval Yellow Room

The Oval Yellow Room is an oval-shaped room located on the south side of the second floor of the White House and is the office of the US president. Originally used as a drawing room, during John Adams' presidency it was used as a library, office and family drawing room. Today it is used for small receptions and to greet heads of state before the State Dinner.

CAPACITy

In the White House there are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, as well as 8 pairs of stairs. The official home of the US president also has 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 chimneys, and three elevators.

Name

At different times in history, the White House has been known as the "Palace of the President", the "House of the President" and the "Executive Residence". President Theodore Roosevelt established the formal name "White House - Washington".

kitchen

There are five full-time chefs in the White House who must be on standby at all times. In this way, the White House kitchen is able to serve dinner to about 140 guests simultaneously.

The cost

Initial construction took place over a period of eight years and at a cost of $232,371.82 ($2.4 million in 2005 value). Although not yet finished, the White House was ready for occupancy around November 1, 1800.

recreation

The White House has a number of buildings and facilities for relaxation and sports for the presidents. There is a tennis court, a swimming pool, a cinema, a running track, and various concerts are often organized there.

The Truman Reconstruction

Decades of misuse of the house, the construction of a fourth-floor attic and the addition of a balcony over the south portico, according to Harry Truman, had caused damage to the brick and sandstone structure. In 1948, it was declared in imminent danger of the house collapsing, causing President Truman to order a complete reconstruction and occupy the Blair House from 1949 to 1951. The reconstruction was carried out by a firm of Philadelphia and involved the complete demolition of the interior and the construction of a new steel structure, as well as the reconstruction of the original rooms with the new structure. Central air conditioning, two additional tunnel sections, and a place to shelter in case of bombing were also added. The Truman family moved back into the White House on March 27, 1952.

The Kennedy Restoration

Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of President John F. Kennedy undertook an extensive and historic restoration of the home. She enlisted the help of Henry Francis du Pont of the Winterthur museum to help her with the artwork, many of which are still there. Other Kennedy-era artworks have been donated to wealthy White House donors, the Crowninshield family, Jane Engelhard, Jayne Wrightsman, and the Oppenheimer family. Stéphane Boudin of the Parisian decorating firm "House of Jansen" was the person who was hired by Mrs. Kennedy to help her decorate. Different periods of the early republic and world history were chosen as themes for each chamber, the federal style for the Green Chamber, the French empire for the Blue Chamber, the American empire for the Red Chamber, Louis XVI for the Yellow Oval Room and the Victorian style for the president's study, renamed the Treaty Room. Antique furniture, as well as bits and pieces based on the historical period in which the documents were produced, were selected.

Diplomatic Reception Room

The Diplomatic Reception Room is one of the three Oval Rooms in the White House. It is on the ground floor and is used as a waiting room for the ambassadors of the countries who present their credentials, a ceremony that was previously carried out in the Blue Room. This room is the entrance to the White House and has four doors connecting it to the other rooms.

The White House: The Story of the Most Important House in the World

The Blue Room

The Blue Room is one of three state rooms on the first floor of the White House. It stands out, also, for its oval shape. The room is used for receptions and sometimes for small dinners. It is always decorated in blue. It has six doors and three windows. The Blue Room is furnished in the French Empire style.

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