How Many White Houses Have There Been?

Join Ken on a fascinating journey through the storied past of the White House, America's most iconic residence. From George Washington's temporary homes to the present-day symbol of the nation, discover the hidden tales, architectural wonders, and the many faces this historic building has worn through centuries. Did you know the White House was once gutted and nearly collapsed? Or about the secret competitions to design it? Dive into the evolution of presidential residences, the dramatic changes, and the personal touches added by various presidents. Whether it's the destruction and rebuilding, opulent redesigns, or the transition to a modern era, this episode of 'This House' uncovers it all.
Like, Comment, and Share our video, Subscribe if you enjoyed this video!
Location: Washington D.C.
Join our Membership program:
/ channel
Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress
CC BY 2.0 Photos from: Flickr User: Payton Chung, FDR Presidential Library & Museum
CC NY 2.5: Aude
CC BY-SA 4.0 Photos from: Wikipedia User: Munger, George, Vzeebjtf
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music from Epidemic Sound

[@michaelroark2019]

My favorite White House is the one designed by Jackie Kennedy because of her addition of a number of antiques which were appropriate for a building with its roots in the eighteenth century. The room that is the highlight of her influence is the Diplomatic Reception room with the historic wallpaper from a French firm, Zuber. The wallpaper was barely saved from a historic Maryland house that was being demolished. The paper has such bright colors because it had been in a dark hallway. Definitely a gem! I remember Jackie's TV presentation of her remodeling of the White House. She had a special sense of taste and charm in her presentation.

[@RollBee0922]

What always blows my mind is that she had the fortitude to do this when she was only in her early 30’s.

[@bethbartlett5692]

Agreed, copy of my Comment: Jackie Kennedy was a blessing to the Whitehouse, the era, and our History.

[@theflamingeagle572]

So just say the current White house.

[@wannawatchu66]

And then the Clintons would steal as many of them as they could 40 years later.

[@Porsche996driver]

Yes Jackie really took the renovations to heart. She showed a lot of grace on behalf of the American people. I toured around 1985 while stationed down the road at Fort Belvoir.

[@alekhidell7068]

You forgot the mention the fact that the White House was recently converted into a retirement home.

[@mikenixon2401]

Excellent piece today, Ken. Now you are putting some creativity into This House. Fun Fact: President Truman was prompted to rebuild after the leg of his daughter's piano fell through the floor.

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

Also, kudos to Truman for taking the decision of doing such a serious renovation, which meant he had to sacrifice himself living there for most of his presidency. He knew it would become a big job and put the country before himself.

[@MarinCipollina]

@@ingvarhallstrom2306 Blair House wasn't exactly a dump.. Truman was fine there.

[@Bob-lz4bz]

What’s fun about it?

[@mikenixon2401]

Geeze take it easy @@Bob-lz4bz I guess one has to be a history nerd to find enjoyment in details.

[@Bob-lz4bz]

@@mikenixon2401 🙂

[@Mountlougallops]

I'd love to see more of the octagon house.

[@bethbartlett5692]

Agree

[@user-qo5kk5fx2h]

Bianca Bello

[@cyrilmauras4247]

The Octagon was built as a city house of a rich Virginia landowner. It was saved from being burned down by the British during the 1812 War because it was being loaned out to the French Ambassador as a Cancellate at that time.

[@monkeygraborange]

The Tiffany iteration is one of those rare times that I’m glad there are no color photographs. What a ghastly example of what happens when one tries to impose fashion on a pre-existing building.

[@CheeseMiser]

Why

[@janetcarbone4213]

I liked it❤

[@rogerhuffmanjr.7695]

I like some of it but I do like Theodore Roosevelt's version better because that seems to embody the American adopted Greek and Roman styles much better.

[@user-hc4xm8yp7c]

This was a great piece. I thought the best interior was when Jackie Kennedy was in the house. Bring back all the history .

[@cyrilmauras4247]

After the Truman rebuilding, most all the furniture was bought new from a Department Store giving the White house the look of a second-rate hotel, according to critics. Jackie encouraged owners of original White House furnishing and appropriate antiques to donate them, returning a more historical look to the state rooms. Most of the original Monroe French furniture for the Blue Room was back in place.

[@bholmes5490]

The name "Executive Mansion" was used in official contexts until President Theodore Roosevelt established "The White House" as its formal name in 1901 via Executive Order. The first international visit to the United States was made by King Kalakaua of Hawaii in 1874, which was the first visit by a foreign chief of state or head of government. The first European head of state to visit the United States was Prince Albert I of Monaco in 1913.

[@joijaxx]

Thanks for all you do Ken, it does not go unnoticed your passion and dedication in bringing us these videos.

[@ThisHouse]

Thank you so much for your generous support!

[@bronxboy2998]

It’s 02:03 am on 2/27/24. Sleepless n watching this, felt SO mentally fulfilling. Your work is incredibly appreciated. 🙏🏿

[@user-sg6ji2kk3u]

Ken this was truly magnificent !! Great presentation on the White House history . My favourite is The White House1600 Pennsylvania Avenue . But between Harry S Truman having the White House gutted to stabilize the walls and floors and First Lady Jackie ‘s Historic remodeling and refurbishing all the rooms as she famously did bringing in actual period pieces of furniture from different eras owned by former Presidents . She did a magnificent job of giving the White House TLC and making it a beautiful showcase . They saved the White House . And The Reagan’s & Clinton’s added to that . Now it is a masterpiece of beauty . Well done Ken!! Laura from Canada 👍🏻👍🏻💯💯🌟🌟🇨🇦🇨🇦🌺🌺😊😊🌸

[@garryferrington811]

And then Melania had her rose garden torn out.

[@Go-lova]

Epstein Island 🏝️🏖️🏝️

[@user-sg6ji2kk3u]

@@Go-lova 😳😳🧐🧐🙄🙄🥱

[@willymassey8273]

The National Parks Services updated the rose garden, First Lady Melania Trump only announced it. It wasn't torn out. A simple Google search would show you this

[@whigparty6180]

Very interesting. A topic I haven't read about previously. Thanks!

[@Jingho]

Really great video, like many of your videos I found it so fascinating. The quality of your work is incredible!

[@Neosoul_prima]

The gilded age architecture would always be the best period we had! So sad that the level of craftsmanship today, can never match up to their level of masonry!

[@QuestionEverything412]

Makes you wonder why 🤔

[@cyrilmauras4247]

The McKim, Mead and White refurbishment was more French than Federal. The Truman rebuilding change some of the rooms to a more Federal look, especially the East Room.

[@Neosoul_prima]

@@cyrilmauras4247 I'm definitely aware of that! However, the change was still not up to par with MMW or the original decor or masonry of its original designs

[@Neosoul_prima]

@@QuestionEverything412 people really stopped using their hands, and let computers do everything

[@Lucas_Antar]

Because plywood and 2x4s is cheaper ​@@QuestionEverything412

[@jonclassical2024]

Very interesting and well done Ken, Happy Friday!

[@karenrich9092]

This was a wonderful video jammed with history, which I love. I will have to watch it several times to soak in all the work you did here.

[@sandrashevel2137]

Thank you. Very interesting, your narration of this history makes it easy to listen to ❤

[@joijaxx]

How wonderful Ken, I really enjoyed this video and learned a bunch. The White House is on my wish list of places to tour.

[@lindaclawson6494]

you make my day. I can go into these amazing houses through you. Thanks much❤

[@edsel762]

Great video, Ken.

[@andrewholl2108]

This is such a Cool Episode

[@David-lg2dv]

Sure does show you that Politicians are consistent. They sure do love to spend other peoples money.

[@cyrilmauras4247]

Most of the 19th century presidents either threw away or auctioned off White House furnishings that were worn threadbare or out of current style.

[@dmd5645]

I know quite a bit about the history of the White House. And my favorite design, was by Tiffany. Just completely over the top, with every inch covered in design. But I do have to say, that the current aesthetic of elegant, classical Federal restrained exuberance is perfect for being a timeless classic!!. Nice video!!

[@docsmctink]

Wonderful presentation Ken…I really enjoyed it!

[@JaelaOrdo]

My daughter sent me this video and I’m happy she did, it’s a great look at the history of one of the most important buildings in the world 👍🏾

[@tamarackmi9195]

To the Republic...🇺🇲

[@user-gc7vm9km8t]

This was an awesome video captivated the whole time. And your voice is so soothing as well

[@andrewbrendan1579]

Loved it, Ken! I've long been interested in the White House and its history. Thank you for all the time and work that went into this video. It was a pleasure to watch and listen to. Whatever one's politics the White House is a fascinating house. --- I've read that Abigail Adams hung up the washing to dry in one of the unfinished rooms of the mansion. I've also read that Mary Lincoln was doing some decorating during the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln' didn't approve of "...flubdubs for this damned old house". Jacqueline Kennedy did so much for the Executive Mansion, but the work she started continued after she left and was still being done by Pat Nixon. -- Some of the Tiffany interiors look absoutely...well, interesting...but it would have been something to see them in real life or in color photographs. --- BTW I was suprised to see at 7:26 a pair of menorahs of the Jewish faith on the mantelpiece. I wonder the story is behind them.

[@rickyt3961]

fascinating! Thank you.

[@WitchKing-Of-Angmar]

It's genius absolutely genius that they incorporated both styles into the front and back of the white house. The front has a powerful aura of regency and federal design, very stately, whereas the back truly encompasses the 1840s styling and modern touches.

[@seven_hundred-seven_hundred]

Very nice. Thank you.

[@JimGauthier-xt3wt]

Great job Ken !!! I learned so so much !

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

Great video as usual, although I miss your content about the Lou!

[@BenjaminBanks615]

8:19 I like these renderings. Especially the top one!!

[@OneDeepDegree]

Best KZbin video ive seen in a long while…. And I watch KZbin.🤩👍👍

[@jilltagmorris]

Thanks again! 😊 ❤

[@bowiearcangeli11]

I loved listening and learning about the White House! Thank you for sharing 💜

[@AlistairKiwi]

I wish I could have see the Tiffany Whitehouse. The stained glass screen was gorgeous. I guess all things must pass, but it's a pity that The Tiffany Whitehouse did.

[@kathleenadams3770]

Great job Ken

[@vickiephilpitt7697]

I thoroughly enjoyed this history lesson and the various iterations of the White House. I had no idea that it had so many remodels and forgot that the first capital was in New York and then Philadelphia. The most interesting was hearing that Teddy Roosevelt completely changed the entrance and got rid of the Tiffany panels, which in itself was unknown. It's truly a good video. TY

[@shantyclips6358]

Love the palace-like designs! 😲

[@armarshall1]

This was great! One minor note: the pic shown at 3:30 is implied to be the White House. It’s actually Capitol building following its burning in the War of 1812.

[@petersnell6677]

This story shows us that even elected leaders have the arrogance of kings,happily spending the people's money.

[@hackman669]

Yep wish they'd leave White House generic and use funds to help citizens!😁

[@susanmcintyre5377]

The White House is about 55,000 square feet, and changes hands with each new administration. Buckingham Palace is 830,000 square feet, and the “royal” 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮 family owns 29 other homes and palaces (an average of approximately one palace for each member), which were built and are maintained on the backs of approximately 67 million citizens.

[@montemiller3447]

Thank you; I liked the Kennedy White House over all the others. I especially liked the "Rose Garden" and pray it shall be restored.🌞

[@willymassey8273]

Do your research, the rose garden is still there.

[@LJB103]

Excellent video. I would have to say that, personally, I would prefer the state dining room in natural wood and not painted white (or any other color). I've always heard the Teddy Roosevelt wanted the Tiffany screens "smashed" (he did not like Louis Comfort Tiffany - they had legal battles over property in Oyster Bay), but that it was quietly auctioned to a Baltimore hotel that then burned down in 1923.

[@garryferrington811]

Very interesting video, Ken. I didn't know the White House had been through so much.

[@cyrilmauras4247]

I recommend the two-volume set of "The President's House" by William Seale. He gives in rich detail the history of the White House of every President from Washington to Truman's rebuilding. He put out an expanded version some years later, again a two-volume set, from Washington to George W H Bush. Mr. Seale gives not only how the White House was built and refurbished, but also how each President used and lived in it. An excellent source material for those like me who love the history of the White House.

[@DeanStephen]

Which did I like the best? The ones without fences. Only they were houses as appropriate to a Republic, and not palaces.

[@haywardgarner4850]

Great video. I’d love to see that large lawn planted with pollinator-friendly plants instead of manicured grass.

[@mate_salamanca]

mckim, head and white definitely had such careful consideration for architecture

[@Ramcharger85]

I like to see a video on the seven houses. That octagon house was cool. I lived there. 😊

[@kays749]

What an education!

[@Alex632]

God bless Mrs Kennedy for bringing history back into the white house.

[@larryjones-emery807]

Thank you creators of the Executive Mansion of United States of America! It is truly a palace! I hope to visit some day. ❤

[@danielmalone2976]

Have you made a video on the Busch family home in Grant's Farm?

[@JayAymi]

Im not american, and have never seen the white house, but this was interesting! I love history, and American history isnt an exception to that. Great video! Keep it up!

[@mr.x8259]

Have you done a video on Mount Vernon?

[@ThisHouse]

I have! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnuVh4yvjbirpcksi=WB1Z04oPkfIhNZEe

[@mr.x8259]

@@ThisHouse Thanks.

[@badbiker666]

I'm kinda surprised you didn't mention the Nixon bowling alley! I have never seen a photo of it, I would have loved to see it as part of this video.

[@madbell931]

It's know that Thomas Jeferson made a travel to the area near Bordeaux in France, and saw a building that has a lot of similarities with the White House...this building still exist now, it is the château de Rastignac in Dordogne France...

[@anteeker]

I wonder where those Tiffany panels ended up. Anyone know?

[@ThisHouse]

It was reinstalled at the Belvedere Hotel. Unfortunately, it was destroyed when the hotel burned down in 1923.

[@anteeker]

That is a shame. Such a loss.

[@CheeseMiser]

@@ThisHouse dang it

[@bennyboiart7781]

I’ve watched a number of videos on the renovations that the White House went through throughout the years, but this was the first time I learned about the opulent version created in the 19th century that incorporated the Tiffany glass detailing.

[@bethtyree6346]

Thank you for sharing this story of the White house

[@karllangbehn6178]

Glad they got a committee to stop the changes on a whim. So what was the number of houses? I lost count.

[@davidbrims5825]

I read some where that Chateau de Rastignac was the inspiration, Jefferson visited it, it is the spitting image of the White House.

[@dannycarrington1601]

There's a strong resemblance between the two but there's no evidence that James Hoban was familiar with it. Leinster House in Dublin, Ireland inspired the North facade while the layout reflects the preferences of Washington who met Hoban prior to Hoban submitting his plans.

[@wdjones4735]

I don’t really have a favorite. Thank God for Jackie! Our tax dollars over time hard at work🤩

[@danjackson4481]

And more importantly, Jackie headed a Private Fund Raising Effort to pay for the Restoration.

[@MarkFreeman-kd2hz]

It's sad that some of us were never taught this in school 😢.

[@princesswendy99]

Fun fact. James Hoban, the architect is said to have taken his inspiration for the Whitehouse from Viceregal Lodge, now known as “Áras an Uachtaráin”, our own presidential residence in Dublin. 😊

[@sUi5Udos]

According to the White House Historical Association, James Hoban based his design on that of Leinster House, Dublin, then the residence of the FitzGearld family, Duke's of Leinster. Since 1922 it has served as the seat of the Irish parliament.

[@stuartm6069]

I always found it funny, You are elected President and become the most powerful person in the free world, and you have to move into Public Housing. LOL.

[@hackman669]

Ironic since there is a nation wide shortage of public housing. 😁

[@TheFuelInjected]

As a Canadian my favorite version was the one that was burnt down in 1814 :P I say this as a joke but its also true in that Canadian identity is basically rooted in being "not American". That, maple syrup, and hockey is really all we've got.

[@benbaker7440]

And the best Canadians leave to play hockey in the US so do you really have that?

[@TheFuelInjected]

@benbaker7440 I mean, we also export more maple syrup than we consume. Just because we export hockey players doesn't make it a non-Canadian tradition. Just the same as the US exports freedom, McDonald's franchises, and guns and ammunition and they remain key to American identity.

[@cagedtigersteve]

As an American, I don't even know where the Canadian president lives. I don't know anyone who does.

[@TheFuelInjected]

@cagedtigersteve Allow me to explain. Canada doesn't have a president, we have a Prime Minister. We also don't have a singular official residence, we have two; 24 Sussex Dr. and Harrington Lake. However, our current PM resides at Rideau Cottage, a guest house on the grounds of Rideau Hall, which is the official residence of the monarch (King Charles) as well as the Governor General. The reason the Prime Minister does not stay at the official residences is that 24 Sussex is in a state of disrepair due to successive PMs being unwilling to spend taxpayers money to fix it, and Harrington Lake is not in Ottawa and is used as more of a summer home.

[@venator-fb7yy]

Y'alls tree juice is a great export that you should be proud of! The best part of my breakfast other than bacon.

[@gairethnelson]

What's going on with the captions at 11:27 ?

[@kellydiver]

I liked the Louis Comfort Tiffany version the best, but then I like Victorian design and bold colors. It’s appropriate, I think, for the Executive Mansion to evolve with the times.

[@janetcarbone4213]

Great piece of work. You told me of things I didn’t know and I lived in that area for years. One small thing. There was yet another “White House” and it is white too at least it is now. In 1814 for just a couple of days James Madison and family (I think) escaped to Brookville,MD The house is now located on Brighton Dam Rd. He went there when the White House was burned

[@cyrilmauras4247]

The McKim, Mead and White refurbishment was more French than Federal. The Truman rebuilding change some of the rooms to a more Federal look, especially the East Room.

[@RM-wy5ud]

Wonderful video. I believe the image at 3:29 is of the Capitol Building, rather than the White House.

[@bethbartlett5692]

Jackie Kennedy was a blessing to the Whitehouse, the era, and our History.

[@rosepelzel4244]

Interesting! Yet, to me, the exterior still resembles a suburban real estate/insurance office building. Thanks, Ken!

[@thekitchencounterauthor]

Thank you for mentioning that's the British torching the white house was a reprisal. A little while back I had a colleague who was annoyed with me for being British because the British, in his words, "desecrated the White House". The answer 'Mate, I wasn't there, I wasn't even alive then and neither were you' seemed to strike him as just more British perfidy. I'm sending him the link right away😁

[@TroyQwert]

This piece of land is one of the few most expencive ones where lots of taxpayer's money was burried.

[@DLeadVox]

💛💛💛

[@scottwilliams3595]

After the fire in 1814, only the shell remained and was never torn down. They rebuilt the inside of the house. The second picture after showing the burnt out shell of the white house was a picture of the capital. The shell is two hundred years old, I did a paper on it in 1992 on it's 200th birthday. For the most part, the insides are only 77 years old.

[@user-vu8uh4qo4n]

A fine quotation is a diamond on the finger of a man of wit, and a pebble in the hand of a fool.

[@conmanumber1]

Mrs Kennedy had done well. Her choice of colours were nice

[@wileyboles4179]

Jackie Kennedy she had such good taste!!

[@toronado455]

Why does this video stop at the 1948 Truman overhaul? Wasn't the White House more recently renovated? Or is that classified?

[@georgegonzalez2476]

The whole exterior was redone back in the 1990's. Combined with the complete interior scrapping in the 1950's, there really is nothing of the original White House there except some furniture.

[@oz25]

Hands off Canada 🏡🔥. X

[@UnlicensedOkie]

It’s a real shame that such a historical structure is basically a new building So much of the history of the building is lost

[@daviddempsay4930]

It seems strange that there is no mention of Blair House, where Truman resided for much of his presidency because of the extensive White House renovation that occured during his time in office.

[@user-dv6dg5gu6d]

Is the Philly 190 High Street mansion still there?

[@DakotaFord592]

❤❤❤

[@lindacrowe8428]

What about the Truman balcony?

[@col8547]

1814, just after Maj Gen Ross left! ;-)

[@PabloMiranda1]

And the bunker? When was that?

[@DakotaFord592]

I wish I could go and look at the interior of the Lincoln White House. The decor and all of the plants that they would have had. The color scheme, I want to know!

[@treyfaison6629]

The movie Lincoln did a very good reproduction of the interior of the White house.

[@user-zh5hy7uq9r]

If my calculator had a history, it would be more embarrassing than my browser history.

[@stevensmith1057]

248 years God Bless America.

[@kenokingslime]

Well the one we have now look the best to me more spacey

[@OrhallaZander]

We might need to relocate it out of DC.

[@user-po3my4kk6z]

Days inn❤

[@robertabrams8562]

Great video! I prefer the more modern look of today! Although the WW of the past reflected the interior design & style of that time, it was just too dated, if not gaudy, for my taste now! I’m sure that, 200yrs from now, people will feel that today’s WW, will be equally as dated, and gaudy!

[@legothoron1]

bit surprising that when the moved the capital to Philadelphia they didn't use Independence Hall

[@markmh835]

This video wasn't really long enough to do the White House justice. But it left out some important details that I wish had been included. Such as: that it was President Theodore Roosevelt who had the name of the building officially changed from The Executive Mansion to The White House. Prior to that, the "White House" was only a nickname. First Lady Pat Nixon did as much if not more work to the buildings interiors and collections than Jacqueline Kennedy did (and certainly much more than Nancy Reagan ever did) but she did not seek the public attention for her efforts nor commission a film showing off her improvements as Mrs. Kennedy did. This video said it would cover the different places presidential families lived when they weren't in the White House, but it didnt really do that after the Octagon House. The rebuilding of the House during the Truman Administration (post-WWII) was certainly the most extensive, and Truman spent most of his presidency NOT living in the presidential mansion. Such a pity since he is responsible for the structure we have today. It should have been noted where he lived with his family during all those many years of rebuilding The White House, which was Blair House I believe. I can't imagine that there was much entertaining or State Dinners during the Truman Administration. Sandstone was such a poor quality material to use to build such a grand building.