Since 1975, every Vice President of the United States, beginning with Walter Mondale, has called a specific residence home during their tenure. But where exactly is this official dwelling located? The answer lies within the secure grounds of the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., at a distinguished address: Number One Observatory Circle. This location has served as the official home for the Vice President and their family, offering both proximity to the White House and a measure of privacy.
Originally constructed in 1893, this charming white house was not initially intended for the Vice President. It was built to serve as the residence for the superintendent of the U.S. Naval Observatory. However, the allure of the home was so strong that in 1923, the Chief of Naval Operations decided to claim it for himself, much to the superintendent’s dismay. For many years, Vice Presidents lived in their private homes. However, as security concerns and the associated costs escalated, the government sought a more practical and secure solution.
The turning point came in 1974 when Congress made the decision to renovate Number One Observatory Circle to become the official residence for the Vice President. This move was driven by the increasing financial burden of securing private homes for each Vice President. It took three years of refurbishment before the residence was ready for its first Vice Presidential family. Interestingly, Gerald Ford, who was Vice President at the time of the decision, ascended to the Presidency before he could occupy the house. His Vice President, Nelson Rockefeller, used it primarily for official entertaining rather than as a full-time residence.
Walter Mondale holds the distinction of being the first Vice President to officially reside at Number One Observatory Circle. Since then, it has been home to a succession of Vice Presidents and their families, including George H.W. Bush, Dan Quayle, Al Gore, Dick Cheney, Joe Biden, and most recently, Mike Pence and Kamala Harris. This residence has not only been a private home but also a venue for hosting countless official guests, from foreign leaders to distinguished figures.
Despite being the Vice President’s home, Number One Observatory Circle remains part of the active U.S. Naval Observatory. While the Vice President and their family reside in comfort, scientists at the Observatory continue their crucial work. They are engaged in observing celestial bodies – the sun, moon, planets, and stars – and are responsible for determining and precisely measuring time. The astronomical data they publish is essential for accurate navigation and various scientific applications, highlighting the unique juxtaposition of political residence and scientific endeavor at this location.
The Vice President’s Ceremonial Office: A Space for Official Duties
Beyond their residence, the Vice President also maintains an official workspace within the White House complex. In addition to their West Wing office, they have access to the Vice President’s Ceremonial Office, situated in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB), adjacent to the West Wing. Historically, this office within the EEOB served as the office of the Secretary of the Navy when the building housed the Departments of State, Navy, and War.
This richly historical room has witnessed significant figures and events. Sixteen Secretaries of the Navy conducted their duties here between 1879 and 1921. Following them, from 1921 to 1947, General John Pershing, as Army Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Battle Monuments Commission, occupied the office for an extended period, only briefly interrupted when President Hoover had to relocate his offices due to a fire in the West Wing in 1929. Since 1960, with the exception of Hubert Humphrey, every Vice President has utilized this office, solidifying its place in Vice Presidential history. It underwent restoration in the 1980s and is now primarily used for ceremonial purposes, meetings, and press engagements.
The office’s design is attributed to William McPherson, a renowned Boston decorator and painter. He adorned the walls and ceiling with intricate stenciling and allegorical symbols representing the Navy Department, employing traditional Victorian color schemes. The room features a distinctive floor crafted from mahogany, white maple, and cherry wood, complemented by two original Belgian black marble fireplaces. The chandeliers are meticulously crafted replicas of the original gasoliers, which were designed for both gas and electric power, reflecting the transition in lighting technology at the turn of the 20th century.
A particularly noteworthy artifact within the office is the Vice-President’s Desk. This desk, a part of the White House collection, was first used by Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. Presidents Taft, Wilson, Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, and Eisenhower also utilized this desk. After a period in storage from 1929 to 1945, President Truman brought it back into service. Since Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, every subsequent Vice President has used this desk, with each signing the inside of the top drawer, creating a unique historical record. Adding to the room’s historical ambiance, a bust of Christopher Columbus, a relic from the Spanish Cruiser Christabal Colom captured after the battle of Santiago in 1898, was displayed in this office from 1898 to 1924, further connecting the space to significant moments in history.
In conclusion, the answer to “where does the VP live?” is Number One Observatory Circle, a residence steeped in history and nestled within the U.S. Naval Observatory grounds. This location serves as both the private home and a place for official duties for the Vice President, while their ceremonial office in the EEOB provides another important space for their work within the White House complex.
