One of the most recognizable of our nation's landmarks is the White House in Washington, D.C. Write an essay about the White House in which you answer all of the following:
a) What compromise led to the founding of our nation's capital at its current site? Who was involved in that compromise and why?
b) Where did presidents live before the White House was built? Why was it built?
c) Who was the architect who designed the White House? Who were the workers who built it? How long did the initial construction take? When were the East Wing and the West Wing added? What offices does each of those wings house? Where does the Secret Service have its largest White House office?
d) How is the South Portico different from the North Portico and, while we're at it, what's a portico?
e) Why is the White House painted white? What is the myth and what really happened?
f) How many rooms did the White House have, originally? How many does it have now? How many of thoseoriginalrooms are oval in shape? Why are they oval? (floorplans of the White House are available online for you to see--do notcount the rooms in the West or East Wing in your answer) How did the Truman Balcony come to be? What changes were made to the White House during the Truman restoration? And, why?
g) What room does the President now use as his office and where is it located? What is the Private Residence? What makes it different from most of the White House? How do the rules for protecting a President change in the Private Residence?
Finally, what do you think the White House signifies to the American people? Why is it such a popular tourist attraction?
The following is required viewing for this assignment. You may not use these as sources, but you may find them helpful to your overall research.
What's Inside of the White House
White House Tour
Tour of the White House Grounds