Student Article

Did you know that the White House, the famous home of U.S. presidents, was designed by an Irish architect and built with the help of enslaved people?

The plan for a new capital

Back in 1790, there was no Washington, D.C.; it was created by a law called the Residence Act. The goal was to build a brand-new capital city for the United States along the Potomac River. President George Washington helped choose the site and worked with French-American city planner Pierre Charles L’Enfant to design the layout.

The design contest that led to the White House

To create the president’s home, a design contest was held. Even Thomas Jefferson secretly entered! But it was James Hoban, an Irish architect living in South Carolina, who won. He designed a neoclassical mansion, inspired by the symmetry and balance of ancient Greek and Roman buildings.

A tough job with enslaved workers

Construction began on October 13, 1792. The work was tough and took eight years. Most of it was done by enslaved African Americans, hired from nearby slave owners. They did everything — cutting stone, chopping wood, and carrying heavy loads. Some free Black men and European workers from Ireland and Scotland also helped.

The White House takes shape

When John Adams moved in as the first resident in 1800, the house was still unfinished. People began calling it the “White House” because it was covered in whitewash — a lime-based paint that protected the stone. It was damaged during the War of 1812 when the British set it on fire. Hoban returned to help rebuild it.

Adding new features over the years

Over the years, the White House grew. The South Portico was added in 1824, and the North Portico in 1830. Today, it has 132 rooms and remains a symbol of the U.S. government.

© Jonny Wilkes / www.historyextra.com