The White House Was Originally Gray

The 'White House' wasn't always white. When the Executive Mansion was first constructed from Aquia Creek sandstone in 1800, its natural color was a gray-blue. The stone was porous, so it was painted with a white lime-based mixture to help waterproof it — giving it a whitish appearance even before the famous burning.

When the British burned Washington D.C. in August 1814, the interior of the mansion was gutted. After reconstruction, the exterior walls were painted white to cover the burn damage. The nickname 'White House' had been in casual use since 1811, but President Theodore Roosevelt made it the official name in 1901 when he used it on his stationery.