Soon to be home to Donald Trump and family, the White House is undoubtedly one of the most famous buildings in the world. The home and main workplace of the President of the United States, it’s recognisable around the world. Here are 11 facts about the only private residence of a head of state anywhere in the world that’s free to visit.
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The only president never to have lived in the White House is the very first one, George Washington. He oversaw its construction but it was the second president, John Adams, who became the first president to reside there
2. Throughout its history it’s been known as the ‘President’s House’, the ‘President’s Palace’ and the ‘Executive Mansion’
3. It wasn’t until 1901 that was named the White House – this was thanks to then-president Theodore Roosevelt
4. Construction started on 13 October 1792 and it took just over 8 years for the building to be completed; it was originally a lot smaller, with various presidents extending it over the years
5. The president and his family don’t get to eat for free; at the end of every month he receives a bill covering not only he and his family’s food, but also their everyday items such as toothpaste and toiletries. This bill is deducted from his annual wage
6. The White House wasn’t originally designed to accommodate a president with a disability, so changes had to be made to comfortably accommodate the 32nd president Franklin D. Roosevelt, who suffered from polio
7. There are 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms spread across six floors; two of these floors are below ground, two are public floors and the other two are for the First Family
8. It isn’t just a place designed for work; the White House has a bowling lane, a putting green, a cinema, a jogging track, a tennis court and a swimming pool
9. The only president to have got married in the White House is Grover Cleveland, the 22nd president. He got married to Francis Folsom at a ceremony in the Blue Room. Incidentally, Frances, at the age of 21, became the youngest First Lady when she married Cleveland
10. It wasn’t until 1913 that the Oval Office was constructed thanks to William Howard Taft, the 27th president
11. The White House is a popular tourist attraction and receives an average of 30,000 visitors every week
