Bone up on a little American history with a few fun facts about The White House!
1. How many fires has The White House survived?
Answer: 2. The first was in 1814 during the War of 1812 and set by the British. The second was in 1929 in the West Wing.
2. When was The White House given its name?
Answer: Officially, it was in 1901 by President Theodore Roosevelt. Before, it was called the “President’s Palace”, the “President’s ? House” and the “Executive Mansion”.
3. How many rooms are there in the White House?
Answer: There are 132 rooms, of which 28 of them have fireplaces. There are also 35 bathrooms and 6 levels.
4. Who decorates the Oval Office?
Answer: Presiding President’s can change the decorations in the Oval Office to suit their tastes. They can change the furniture, carpet, drapes and even have paintings brought in on loan from museums!
5. Who was the first President to occupy The White House?
Answer: President John Adams in 1800.
6. Which President was the first to have a child born at The White House?
Answer: President Grover Cleveland in 1895 welcomed his daughter Esther in to the world.
7. What did President Abraham Lincoln use the ‘Lincoln Bedroom” for?
Answer: An office. Lincoln never actually slept in it. It is also said to be haunted by his ghost.
8. What kinds of animals did past President’s have at the White House?
Answer: Some of the more notable Presidential pets include: a pair of tiger cubs..for a little while (President Van Buren), an alligator (President John Q. Adams), a bear and a hippo? (President Coolidge), a tobacco-chewing ram (President Wilson) and a herd of elephants (President Buchanan).
Happy learning! – Vanessa, Innkeeper
American Guest House Bed and Breakfast
Washington DC Bed and Breakfast accommodations. We are centrally located, 10 minutes walk to DuPont Circle metro/subway, 1 mile north west of White House.
