The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC,
is the most famous address in America. It is where the United
States President works, but it is also his private home where
he lives with his family. He has children’s birthday parties,
holiday dinners, and weddings in this world-famous building.

The building

First built in 1800, the White House is where the President
of the United States governs a country of 50 states and
304 million people.
He lives with his family on the second and third floors.
There are 16 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a dining
room. Special guests stay in the Queen’s Bedroom or the
Lincoln Bedroom.
In the West Wing are the staff offices. The President’s own
office, the Oval Office, is also there. It has three large
windows behind the President’s desk, and there is a fireplace
at the other end.



Each new president chooses new curtains, new furniture, and
a special new carpet. There are pictures of old presidents on
the wall, and there is the famous desk, a gift from the British
Queen Victoria in 1880.

The White House day by day

The White House is open to visitors. It is free. About 6,000
people a day visit. The President meets special guests in the
East Room, and he talks to journalists in the Press Room.
About 150 people work for the President in the West Wing
and for the First Lady in the East Wing. Another 100 people
look after the building day and night.
There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and five kitchens, all on
six floors. There are three elevators*. The State Dining Room
is big enough for 140 guests.
Outside, gardeners grow fruit and vegetables. There is also
a tennis court, a jogging track, and a swimming pool. Inside
there is a movie theater*, a billiard room, a bowling alley,
and a library. As former President Reagan said, ‘The White
House is like an eight-star hotel!’
* elevator (US English) = lift
* movie theatre (US English) = cinema