What Are Some Interesting Facts About the White House?
The 55,000-square-foot White House sits on 18 acres of land that requires a full-time staff of 13 people to maintain and has been known by other names during its existence, including the Executive Mansion, the President's House and the President's Palace. The six-story White House is immense in size and requires 570 gallons of paint to cover the entire exterior surface. The White House is home to 132 rooms, including 35 bathrooms, three elevators, 28 fireplaces and 412 doors.
The White House's kitchen is large enough to serve more than 1,000 people with hors d'oevures or dinner for 140 people. It has its own movie theater, bowling alley, physician's office, swimming pool, tennis court and flower shop. Bill Clinton added a jogging track during his first term in office.
The British burned the original White House during the War of 1812. The total cost of the original structure was $232,372. The White House was rebuilt under President James Monroe, who moved back into the White House in 1817. The first modern amenity to come to the White House was running water in 1833, followed by a central system for heating in 1837. Electricity was installed in 1891. One of the most iconic rooms in the White House, the President's Oval Office, wasn't added until 1934.
