Existing comment:
House of the Nation:
After Washington DC became the site for the nation's capital city in 1790, leaders had to decide: Where would the president live?
President George Washington (1789-97) envisioned a grand, Georgian-style mansion. Pierre Charles L'Enfant's plans for the capital city included a presidential palace five times larger than the house that was eventually built. Initially called the "President's House" and the "Executive Mansion," the residence officially became known as the "White House" in 1901. The house has evolved with the country, sometimes undergoing major renovations. Yet, throughout the changes, the White House has remained the historic home of the president and the nation. |