People

The White House has been the residence of every American president except George Washington, who chose its location and supervised its construction. The White House must serve the needs of the presidential family, just as any American home serves its occupants.

Enslaved African American stonecutters, masons, and laborers built the White House. Most of the works crews were composed of emigrant skilled workers and indentured laborers. The planner of the federal city, Pierre Charles L'Enfant, was French. The designer of the President’s House, James Hoban, was Irish.

From cooks to plumbers to US Secret Service agents, a look behind the scenes at today’s White House illustrates the diversity of people and professions who come together to make the site work. Permanent residence staff that continue from one administration to the next work closely with special assistants who serve a particular president.