Neighbors to the President

http://www.whitehouse.gov

Free- Reservations are required for the most up-to-date White House tour information, call the 24-hour
Visitors Office Information Line at (202) 456-7041.

Overview of organization: The White House serves as the home and office of the President of the United States, the headquarters of the executive branch of government and a historic house museum with 1.2 million visitors annually. It is the setting for state ceremonies and official functions.

On November 1, 1800, John Adams, our second president, was the first president to live in the White House. Although the first president, George Washington, oversaw construction, he never lived here. Washington chose Irish-born and trained architect James Hoban to build the sandstone residence. Construction began in 1792 and was completed in 1800.

The state rooms are furnished with American and European furniture and decorative arts, presidential porcelain, silver and glassware, sculpture, and paintings, including portraits of presidents, First Ladies and other national notables. The White House is the only home of a head of state open to the public, free of charge, on a regular basis.

Metro: Federal Triangle and McPherson Square (blue and orange lines) Metro Center (blue, orange, and red lines)