"I never forget that I live in a house owned by all of the American people."
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt
That democratic outlook is intrinsic to the history of the White House as a reflection of the ideology on which America was founded. After fighting for independence from the British crown, the Founding Fathers shunned anything that smacked of monarchy, royalty and elitism. The house was originally going to be called the "The Palace," but the name was rejected precisely for its imperial connotations. "All men are created equal," the "self-evident" truth delineated in the Bill of Rights, reflected the need for a house fit for a head of state who was a "man of the people."
Instead, it was called the "President's House." Around 1818, Congress declared it the "Executive Mansion." It was not until Theodore Roosevelt's time that it officially became the "White House," although it reportedly had been so-called for a long time, simply due to its color.
Although Thomas Jefferson wanted it modeled after examples of fine French architecture, for many years the White House had a somewhat less majestic air than the palaces of kings and heads of state in Europe. The New World mentality and Colonial American influences are reflected in the architecture, less ornate than the White House's European counterparts. When British author Charles Dickens came to visit President Tyler on a lecture tour, he wrote: "The President's mansion is more like an English clubhouse, both within and without, than any other kind of establishment with which I can compare it."
And yet, especially in the post-World War II era of American preeminence across the global community, the White House might be said to be the most singularly watched domicile in the world. The evolving history of the building that has housed our nation's leaders is as fascinating as the leaders themselves. As you explore, you will get behind the white Georgian walls of the house at 1400 Pennsylvania Avenue and find the core of the office of the American presidency. Text, pictures and drawings will help guide you through the development of the house and its decor, from its inception in the 18th century to today's 20th century home. Fast approaching the 21st century, President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton have advocated a "greening of the White House" to include non-toxic paints, energy-efficient lights, and solar panels.
