because in the war of 1812 the British came down from Canada and burnt the place down, so to hide the damage the Americans painted it white? Is it also true that the then first lady almost died or was caught because she refused to leave?
2006-08-23 01:37:45 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
Why is the White House white?
It has nothing to do with the burning of the house by the British in 1814, although every schoolchild is likely to have heard the story that way. The building was first made white with lime-based whitewash in 1798, when its walls were finished, simply as a means of protecting the porous stone from freezing. Why the house was subsequently painted is not known. Perhaps presidents objected to the dirty look as the whitewash wore away. The house acquired its nickname early on. Congressman Abijah Bigelow wrote to a colleague on March 18, 1812 (three months before the United States entered war with England): "There is much trouble at the White House, as we call it, I mean the President's" (quoted in W. B. Bryan, "The Name White House," Records of the Columbia Historical Society 34-35 [1932]: 308). The name, though in common use, remained a nickname until September 1901, when Theodore Roosevelt made it official.
2006-08-23 01:45:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Apparently not. See web link, especially "Popular legend holds that during the rebuilding of the structure white paint was applied to mask the burn damage it had suffered, giving the building its namesake hue. This is, however, unfounded as the building had been painted white since its construction in 1798."
2006-08-23 08:46:21 · answer #2 · answered by Huh? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes actually it is true! The regiment in question was a Foot Guards Battalion known as The Scots Guards! We were caught and forced to repair and pay for it ourselves! So being poor soldiers it was a botch job and then white washed!
2006-08-23 08:47:48 · answer #3 · answered by camshy0078 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the "white house" was scorched after british troops took control of washington in the anglo/american war of 1812-1814, they whitewashed it to hide the damage
2006-08-23 13:19:52 · answer #4 · answered by kevin h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it just got nicknamed The White House because that is what color paint they used.
2006-08-23 09:04:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
They painted it white since it was the only colour that could hide the the burn stains.
2006-08-23 08:40:22 · answer #6 · answered by peter gunn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On sunny days, att he right angle, you can still see some of the scorch marks
2006-08-23 08:40:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Its just because its white.
2006-08-23 08:39:19 · answer #8 · answered by Rudebox77 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
was that dolly madison. that would be stupid to paint it white, but who knows it is probably true, that is our government.
2006-08-23 08:41:00 · answer #9 · answered by koifishlady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nah... 'coz it was ruled by whites so it's called the White House.
2006-08-23 08:41:52 · answer #10 · answered by ravencracks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋