The White House is the official home and also principal workplace of the President. It was built between 1792 and 1800 and every President since John Adams (second President) has lived there. In 1814, during the War of 1812, British troops set the mansion ablaze, destroying the interior and charring much of the exterior walls of the house.

Over time many Presidents have added their own touch and added to the mansion as the requirement for room has increased. In 1901 Theodore Roosevelt add the West Wing and moved nearly all the work offices there. Eventually this would house the Oval Office. The East Wing was added in 1942 and serves as a welcoming area and social functions.

By 1948, the house's load-bearing exterior walls and internal wood beams were close to failure. The interior was completely removed, preserved, a new internal load-bearing steel framework installed and the old interior was then reassembled.

Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW in Washington DC, the White House is a must see for anyone traveling through DC. Unfortunately organising a tour of the mansion is extremely difficult to do but if you have enough time before your trip (three - four months), contact either you local senator or congressman or your Embassy. The White House includes: six stories and 55,000 ft² (5,100 m²) of floor space, 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, twenty-eight fireplaces, eight staircases, three elevators, five full-time chefs, a tennis court, a (single-lane) bowling alley, a movie theater, a jogging track, a swimming pool, and a putting green.

We have managed to have two tours, one just before Christmas when it was in full Christmas decoration and it is a beautiful house to see. I don't think I'd want the job cleaning it but I certainly would like to live in a house like that. I'd probably choose different furniture and change a few paintings but I'd make do.