The White House represents centuries of American political history, design changes, and presidential lore. This quiz looks at the famous residence and the people who lived inside its walls.
You will see questions about the original architect, the construction materials, and major renovations under Truman. Some questions ask about specific rooms like the Oval Office, while others focus on security details.
After completing it, you can browse other trivia about historic places, discover facts on famous buildings, or explore famous landmarks across the globe.
In which city is the official residence of the U.S. President located?
Baltimore
Baltimore
New York City
New York City
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
The exterior of the White House is primarily constructed from which type of stone?
Granite
Granite
Limestone
Limestone
Sandstone
Sandstone
Marble
Marble
Who was the first U.S. President to live in the White House?
James Monroe
James Monroe
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
John Adams
George Washington
George Washington
In which year did Theodore Roosevelt officially name the residence the ‘White House’?
1903
1903
1901
1901
1905
1905
1907
1907
Which section of the White House complex houses the Oval Office?
The East Wing
The East Wing
The Rose Garden
The Rose Garden
The West Wing
The West Wing
The Residence
The Residence
Which president ordered the construction of the first Oval Office?
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover
Which iconic symbol is traditionally woven into the center of the rug on the floor of the Oval Office?
The White House logo
The White House logo
The Great Seal of the United States
The Great Seal of the United States
The Presidential Seal
The Presidential Seal
The American Eagle
The American Eagle
Before it was moved to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, which department oversaw the Secret Service?
Department of Defense
Department of Defense
Treasury Department
Treasury Department
Department of Justice
Department of Justice
Department of the Interior
Department of the Interior
During which years was the White House gutted and completely renovated under President Harry S. Truman?
1953–1956
1953–1956
1949–1952
1949–1952
1957–1960
1957–1960
1945–1948
1945–1948
Where is the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC) located?
A bunker beneath the East Wing
A bunker beneath the East Wing
A secret tunnel to the Capitol
A secret tunnel to the Capitol
An escape hatch in the Oval Office
An escape hatch in the Oval Office
A bunker beneath the North Lawn
A bunker beneath the North Lawn
Which annual tradition for children has been held on the White House South Lawn since 1878?
State Dinner Gala
State Dinner Gala
Congressional Ball
Congressional Ball
Easter Egg Roll
Easter Egg Roll
Independence Day Fireworks
Independence Day Fireworks
Who was the original architect who designed the White House?
Charles McKim
Charles McKim
James Hoban
James Hoban
Benjamin Henry Latrobe
Benjamin Henry Latrobe
Pierre Charles L’Enfant
Pierre Charles L’Enfant
What is the name of the famous desk used by many presidents in the Oval Office, gifted by Queen Victoria?
The Resolute Desk
The Resolute Desk
The Lincoln Desk
The Lincoln Desk
The Washington Desk
The Washington Desk
The Jefferson Desk
The Jefferson Desk
Which garden, located on the East Side of the White House, was dedicated in 1965 to honor a former First Lady?
The Eleanor Roosevelt Garden
The Eleanor Roosevelt Garden
The Edith Wilson Garden
The Edith Wilson Garden
The Rose Garden
The Rose Garden
The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden
The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden
Which group is responsible for the ‘Presidential Protection Division’?
The Marine Corps Band
The Marine Corps Band
Navy stewards
Navy stewards
White House Ushers
White House Ushers
Secret Service Agents
Secret Service Agents
Which room in the White House serves as the primary center for intelligence monitoring and crisis management?
The Situation Room
The Situation Room
The China Room
The China Room
The Treaty Room
The Treaty Room
The Map Room
The Map Room
In what year was the Secret Service first tasked with protecting the U.S. President?
1909
1909
1897
1897
1905
1905
1901
1901
Which major utility upgrade was completed during the Benjamin Harrison administration in 1891?
Adding the second floor
Adding the second floor
Portico additions
Portico additions
The construction of the colonnades
The construction of the colonnades
Installation of electricity
Installation of electricity
Which of these statements about White House history is historically accurate?
The Oval Office has always been in the East Wing
The Oval Office has always been in the East Wing
The residence is entirely made of granite
The residence is entirely made of granite
The building underwent a ‘gut renovation’ in the late 1940s
The building underwent a ‘gut renovation’ in the late 1940s
The White House has never been burned down
The White House has never been burned down
Which room is traditionally used for receiving guests and is situated at the center of the first floor overlooking the South Lawn?
The Green Room
The Green Room
The Blue Room
The Blue Room
The Red Room
The Red Room
The Yellow Oval Room
The Yellow Oval Room
Approximately how many rooms are in the White House?
132
132
112
112
122
122
142
142
What is a ‘mantel’ in the context of White House room architecture?
A type of official seal embedded in the floor
A type of official seal embedded in the floor
The name of the butler’s pantry
The name of the butler’s pantry
A decorative feature over the fireplace
A decorative feature over the fireplace
A specific type of presidential chandelier
A specific type of presidential chandelier
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