1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

That's the address of one of the most recognizable building in the world - the White House.  Some very important people have lived here, starting with the second president of the United States.  That means George Washington never lived in the White House.

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Mood Music

​Allow this sweeping music to transport you into a scene that has yet to be written.  Sketch the scene quickly as you listen.  Then write, using all the visual imagery you can muster.

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WhAt's In a Name?

At various times in history, the White House has been known by different names.  Read about The White House Building, and find out more.

• Who selected the location for the White House?
• Who was the first president to live in the White House?
• In what year did the British burn down the White House?
• What did James Monroe add to the building?
• Which president oversaw the addition of the West Wing?
• Which president oversaw the construction of the Oval Office?
• How many doors are in the White House?
• How much paint does it require to cover the outside of the White House?
• By what other names has the White House been known?
• When did the White House start getting called The White House​?

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Flip This House

By the time Missouri's Harry S Truman was elected president, the White House was falling apart.  The building was getting old and desperately needed maintenance and updating.  When the piano leg fell through the floor, President Truman made a difficult decision:  gut the whole place and start over.

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Letters to the President

What can you say to the president?  Let's write informal, respectful letters, telling the current president about our class and school.  We will begin by brainstorming.

Make sure you follow conventional letter writing and standards and address your envelope correctly, explained in the video (right).

Go back and edit your letter for misspellings and punctuation mistakes before rewriting a final copy.

Moving Day

Imagine you are John Adams, the second president, getting your first look at your new house.  It wasn't the most glamorous of lives at the time.  In fact, Mr. and Mrs. Adams hated the place.

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Open House

The White House has been expanded since the Adamses first moved in.  Use the image below to explore the White House and get your bearings.  After you have had some time, we'll test your memory.

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Fire!

During the War of 1812, the British enacted some revenge on the patriots for winning the Revolutionary War.  Strangely, most people know little about the War of 1812, even though the British burned the White House.

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While We're on the Subject

Learn more:
How Many Rooms Are in the White House?
What Was the War of 1812?

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Draw the House

Get to know the People's House a little better by drawing it.  What aspects of the White House's "curb- appeal" stand out to you?