The White House

This passage describes the White House, which is where the president and his family live.

Lexile Level: 610L

Categories: History People & Places

The White House is the president's private home. Construction began in 1792. Our first president picked the location and watched as it was built. But he never lived in the White House. In 1800, President John Adams and his wife moved in. They were the first residents. When they moved in, only six rooms were finished. Since then the White House has had many changes. The inside was rebuilt after a fire in 1814. Another fire damaged the White House in 1929. Each President has made his own changes, too. Today the White House is complete with 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators. There is a movie theater, a tennis court, a bowling alley, and a swimming pool. The house isn't the only thing that has changed. Before it was named the White House, the president's home was called the "President's Palace" and the "Executive Mansion."