The White House

America's White House bears the stamp of every President. George Washington chose the site and approved the simple dignity of the architectural design. The building, begun in 1792, was still incomplete in 1800 when the first residents, John and Abigail Adams, moved in. Soon they, too, put their mark on it, as would each succeeding First Family. To the throngs of visitors now passing through the White House, the tour offers glimpses of the lives and times of all the Presidents and their families. Their portraits adorn the walls and look out, here and there, on some of the same furnishings they themselves once used. The nonprofit White House Historical Association was formed to enhance understanding and appreciation of the Executive Mansion. One of the first tasks of the Historical Association was to publish the White House guidebook, with the cooperation of the National Geographic Society, which provided the photographs and text as a public service. All net proceeds from its sale are used to acquire furnishings and works of art linked with past Presidents, as well as to support related publications and restoration programs. - Foreword.