White House - North Side

The White House has served as the home for the American Presidents and their families for more than 200 years. The first cornerstone was laid in 1792, and the building was completed around 1800. George Washington commissioned the construction of the White House, although John Adams was the first president to live there. City planner Pierre L’Enfant, who is responsible for much of the planning and design of Washington, D.C. selected the site at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Irish-born architect James Hoban created the award winning design. The White House is the only private residence of a head of state that is open to the public for tours, free of charge.