The White House Historical Association

Abigail Adams was the first first lady to live in the White House. Although she had to put up with an unfinished house, she also knew that the President’s House would be a structure that would last far into the future. She called it a "house for the ages." In order for the White House to serve the president and the executive office of government, additions have been built. These drawings will give you an idea of how the building has grown, but how the central core has remained about the same for 200 years.

American Architectural Foundation

Once in awhile, suggestions for enlarging the White House are rejected. In 1889, First Lady Caroline Harrison tried to convince Congress to approve a grand design for expanding the White House. Congress would not give her the money to do the work. The design created for Mrs. Harrison seems too large and out of scale to us today. American Architectural Foundation

First Lady Caroline Harrison unsuccessfully proposed additions to the White House in 1889 - National Archives

In 1998, a plan was developed to provide more space for the family — a kind of playroom and entertainment space that would be located underground, beneath the north lawn of the White House. There are also plans to create storage space and parking underground so that the areas inside and surrounding the White House will look much less cluttered. There are no plans in the future for adding onto the existing building above ground.

Study the cutaway view and the other images of the White House in this lesson. Think about how you would design for the needs of the White House in the 21^st century.

A cutaway view of the White House

Would you add more space for the first family? What kind of space do you think they need? What about rooms for public entertainments, dinners, concerts, and ceremonies? How about office space? Will you have to plan for new technologies? Would you close off any rooms to the public? Why or why not?

Consider the fun facts, too, then make a list of the changes you would make (and those you would certainly not make). Now imagine you are an architect and sketch your design for the White House in the 21^st century. Present your design to your classmates and be ready to answer questions about the decisions you made.

This architectural drawing shows the central section as it looks today - Historic American Building Survey

FUN FACTS

* There are 132 rooms in the White House, including 32 bathrooms.

* There are 28 fireplaces throughout the house [Remember, when Adams moved in there were 39 fireplaces. With modern heating available, not as many were needed when Truman rebuilt the house.]

*The chief usher is in charge of keeping the house in good shape. He has a staff of 90 workers to assist him: maids, butlers, carpenters, plumbers, gardeners, and engineers.

* The chef and his staff can prepare a dinner for 200 guests or a reception for 1,000 guests. The kitchen is located in one of the basements.

*There is an outdoor swimming pool, a theatre, a bowling alley, tennis courts, and a putting green for the first family to enjoy.

*More than one million tourists visit the state rooms every year.

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