First US President to Live in White House

White House Front View

Introduction

The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. It is located in Washington D.C., the capital city of the United States. The White House has served as the home of every US President since John Adams in 1800. However, not all presidents have lived in the White House during their tenure. In this article, we will discuss the first US President who lived in the White House.

The First President to Live in the White House

John Adams

The first US President to live in the White House was John Adams, the second President of the United States. Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved into the White House on November 1, 1800, while the building was still unfinished. They were the first occupants of the President's House, as it was then called.

The Early Days of the White House

White House In 1800S

When John Adams moved into the White House, the building was still under construction. The White House was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban and was built between 1792 and 1800. It was originally called the President's Palace or the President's House, but it came to be known as the White House because of its distinctive white-painted exterior.

The White House During Adams' Presidency

John Adams Portrait

John Adams lived in the White House for only four months before his term as President ended in March 1801. During his brief tenure in the White House, Adams oversaw the completion of the building and made some minor changes to the interior. He also installed the first central heating system in the White House.

The White House After Adams

Thomas Jefferson

After John Adams left the White House, his successor, Thomas Jefferson, made some significant changes to the building. Jefferson added a south terrace and a colonnade to the building's north side. He also installed a water closet in the White House, making it one of the first homes in the United States to have indoor plumbing.

Conclusion

The White House has been the residence and workplace of every US President since John Adams. Adams was the first President to live in the White House, and he oversaw the completion of the building during his short tenure. Since then, the White House has undergone many changes and renovations, but it remains an iconic symbol of American democracy.

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