Lesson 3: What Happens in the White House? A Timeline

Introduction

The White House

Credit: Courtesy of American Memory

Before beginning this lesson, refer to the images and group assignments in lesson two "What Has Happened in the White House?".

Call up each student group in chronological order. Students should describe their image, briefly tell the class about what their research revealed, read their caption, and post the image on your History of the White House Timeline. If desired, challenge students to find other events appropriate for the timeline.

Guiding Questions

How has the White House been touched by the great events of our nation's history?

Learning Objectives

Create a chronology of important events that have occurred at or directly affected the White House.

Preparation Instructions

Review the lesson plan. Locate and bookmark suggested materials and other useful websites. Download and print out documents you will use and duplicate copies as necessary for student viewing.

Lesson Activities

Activity 1. A Timeline

Activity 1. A Timeline

Before beginning this lesson, refer to the images and group assignments in lesson two "What Has Happened in the White House?".

Call up each student group in chronological order. Students should describe their image, briefly tell the class about what their research revealed, read their caption, and post the image on your History of the White House Timeline. If desired, challenge students to find other events appropriate for the timeline.

How did a review of these historic events make students feel about the White House? If the nation decided to build a new, more modern-looking house for the President, it could be designed purposefully for all the things a President now needs to do. Would it be a good idea to redesign the White House building or is it better in some way that it has basically stayed the same since it was built? Why? (NOTE: For more on the White House building and the changes it has undergone, consult the companion EDSITEment lesson From the White House of Yesterday to the White House of Today.)

Assessment

Share the following quote with the class:

For two hundred years, the White House has stood as a symbol of the Presidency, the United States government, and the American people.”
—From White House History on the official website of The White House, a link from the EDSITEment resource American Memory

How can a building in which people actually live be a symbol—that is, how can it stand for an idea?

What are some of the ideas it might represent? Sometimes, the White House is called “America's House.” Why would it be called that when only the President and First Family live there?

Working individually or in groups, have students create an explanation, giving specific reasons and examples of why the White House could be called “America's House.” (If a student feels another “nickname” would be more appropriate, s/he can defend that choice in an explanation.) Make sure students use their knowledge of the different activities that occur at the White House as well as what has happened there in the past in formulating their answers.

Extending The Lesson

The White House Chronology, a timeline on the White House Historical Association website, a link from the EDSITEment resource Explore DC, contains many pieces of fascinating information about the President's home. For example, did you know that running water was first piped into the White House in 1833? Some students might enjoy turning such facts into a "believe it or don't believe it" book. Students particularly interested in history should pair each White House fact with something else occurring in the United States around the same time to provide context.
Students might be interested to read about young people, such as Tad Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, Jr., who lived in the White House. Here are some places to meet First Children online:
- Kids in the White House on the PBS website National Geographic Inside the White House, a link from the EDSITEment reviewed website Explore DC.
- First Kids on the website of the White House Historical Association, a link from the EDSITEment resource Explore DC.
- Family Life in the White House, a link from the EDSITEment-reviewed website American Memory.
Students with an interest in architecture can learn more about specific characteristics of the Georgian/Palladian style used in the White House through the EDSITEment resource National Park Service: Links to the Past, which has a section on Georgian Architecture featuring an Interactive Activity and an interactive Quiz Game. Students who learn the characteristics can then label important features on a diagram, drawing, or photograph of the White House.
Dolley Madison is credited with coolly saving some important objects from the White House shortly before it was burned by the British in 1814. The White House Historical Association website, a link from the EDSITEment resource Explore DC, features a number of resources including:
- Dolley Madison, the White House, and the War of 1812
- Letter from Dolley Payne Madison to Anna Cutts, 23 August 1814. Library of Congress
- Lesson: Dolley Madison to the Rescue
- Letter: Dolley Madison to Mary Latrobe, December 3, 1814
  
  A biography of Dolley Madison is available on The White House website, a link from the EDSITEment resource American Memory.
Some background on the role African Americans played in building the White House is available on the White House Historical Association website, a link from the EDSITEment resource Explore DC. Its African Americans and the White House Timeline gives information about the role of African Americans throughout the history of the White House.