Picture of The White House

-- The south face of the White House in Washington on a hot and hazy summer afternoon. The White House is the official home and principal workplace of the president of the United States. The late Georgian-style sandstone building was designed by James Hoban, who was influenced by Irish country house architecture. Construction began in 1792, and in 1800 John Adams became the first president to take residence. During the War of 1812, British troops left the White House gutted by fire. The legend that white paint used to cover the burn damage gave the building its name is unfounded: it has always been white. The White House has undergone reconstruction and expansion several times. Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of President John F. Kennedy (1961-63), directed the most extensive redecoration of the house in its history, developing themed rooms from various historical periods.