The White House: Inside Story

Over the years, the White House has been the center of the American political system, the home to the President and his family, and a symbol of shared national history and promise. Spanning from Washington's first design contest to Obama's historic Presidency, the White House is a home, a landmark, a museum filled with the history of America.

The President of the United States may have one of the most challenging jobs in the world but he has one of the best commutes. Away from the hustle and bustle of the West Wing and the Main Floor, the second and third floors of the White House are the official residence of the First Family. These floors used to function as White House office space until the West and East Wings were built.

Although he would never have the chance to live there, President George Washington oversaw the design and building of The President's House: The White House. From choosing the location, to overseeing a design competition, to laying the first cornerstone of the House in 1792, Washington ensured that all future American Presidents and the United States would have an iconic symbol of shared history.

When First Families are asked what they will miss most about leaving The White House, their answers are all the same: The Resident Staff. This group of people numbers 100, and includes the bevy of cooks, groundskeepers, butlers, ushers, and carpenters who keep the White House running day-to-day. The Resident Staff has a unique view on history unfolding at The White House.

The President's iconic office is the Oval Office. It is here that historic decisions are made, agreements hammered out, and legislation discussed. It is here that the President meets important guests and dignitaries, and it is here that America’s leader enjoys rare moments of peace and quiet. The aura of the office has spanned generations.

It’s America’s most iconic residence: symbol of national history and icon of democracy. From the Oval Office to the family dining room, through national crises and world wars, the 200-year story of The White House is the story of a living, breathing home. Standing at the epicenter of global politics, in the heart of the nation’s capital, the story of The White House is the story of America itself.