WASHINGTON -- The White House is one of the most iconic buildings in the city, and yet most do not know the origin of the name. That's the question we looked to answer in the latest edition of The Why.
Our Question: Why is the White House called the White House?
Yes, we know it may seem obvious. The White House is a house. And yes, the White House is white. But that doesn't fully explain it. Under that logic, the Capitol would be the white building, and the Washington Monument would be the white obelisk. So what gives?
Many actually get the explanation all wrong. The common myth has to do with the War of 1812. During this war, the White House was famously burned down by the British soldiers. According to the often-told story, the White House was then covered with white paint, to hide the scorch marks.
While this makes an interesting story, it's actually not true.
The White House has actually been white since the very beginning. In 1791, the first president George Washington, selected the site, and the design immediately called for a lime-based whitewash. This paint was selected, because it would protect the exterior stone from moisture and cracking during winter freezes.
So that explains the color, but what about the name?
When the White House was first created, it didn't have a specific name. Typically it was referred to as the "President's House," the "President's mansion," or the "Executive Mansion." However, there was also the nickname: "The White House."
For example, Congressman Abijah Bigelow, of Massachusetts wrote in 1812 the following message, relaying his concerns of the nearing war.
"There is much trouble at the White House," he wrote. "As we call it. I mean the President's"
Despite the nickname, the term was not official until 1901. That's when President Theodore Roosevelt decided it was time for a change. Since every state had an "executive mansion" for their governor, Roosevelt decided there should be some distinction for the presidential house.
That decision, made the nickname official.
Added Fun Fact: According to the White House website, the structure has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, and a whopping 28 fireplaces.
Do you have a Why Question you want answered? You can reach out to reporter Evan Koslof at ekoslof on Twitter, at "Evan Koslof Reporting" on Facebook, or by email at ekoslof@wusa9.com
