While the question “where is the White House located” might seem straightforward, understanding the residences of the highest offices in the United States involves exploring more than just one address. The White House, famously situated at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., serves as the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States. However, the Vice President’s living arrangements are equally noteworthy, though situated elsewhere. This article delves into the locations of both the White House and the Vice President’s official residence, offering a comprehensive look at these important centers of American political life.
The Vice President’s official residence is not at the White House address. Since Walter Mondale, every Vice President has resided at Number One Observatory Circle. This white, 19th-century house, located on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory (USNO) in northwest Washington, D.C., was initially built in 1893 for the USNO superintendent. Its charm led to the Chief of Naval Operations taking it over in 1923. Historically, Vice Presidents lived in their private homes, but security costs became prohibitive. In 1974, Congress designated and refurbished Number One Observatory Circle as the official Vice Presidential residence.
It took three years before a Vice President actually moved in. Gerald Ford became President before occupying the house, and Nelson Rockefeller used it mainly for official entertaining. Walter Mondale was the first to make it his home, followed by Vice Presidents Bush, Quayle, Gore, Cheney, and Biden. Currently, Vice President Harris and the Second Gentleman reside there. The residence frequently hosts foreign leaders and important guests, highlighting its significance on the global stage. Meanwhile, the Naval Observatory continues its essential scientific work, focusing on astronomy, timekeeping, and navigation data.
The Vice President’s Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Beyond the residence, the Vice President also maintains offices within the White House complex. In addition to the West Wing office, the Vice President and staff utilize offices in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB), adjacent to the West Wing. Known as the Vice President’s Ceremonial Office, this space has a rich history. Originally, it served as the Secretary of the Navy’s Office when the EEOB housed the Departments of State, Navy, and War. Today, it functions as a formal setting for meetings and press engagements for the Vice President.
Sixteen Navy Secretaries occupied this office from 1879 to 1921. Following them, General John Pershing used it as Army Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Battle Monuments Commission from 1921 to 1947, except for a brief period in 1929 when President Hoover temporarily relocated his offices there after a West Wing fire. Since 1960, every Vice President except Hubert Humphrey has utilized this office; Humphrey used a room on the floor below. Restored in the 1980s, it is now primarily used for ceremonial purposes.
The office’s design is attributed to William McPherson, a Boston decorator and painter. The room showcases ornamental stenciling and allegorical symbols of the Navy Department in Victorian colors. The floor is crafted from mahogany, white maple, and cherry wood, and features original Belgian black marble fireplaces. The chandeliers are replicas of gasoliers, designed for both gas and electric power, reflecting the building’s historical period.
A notable artifact in the office is the Vice-President’s Desk, part of the White House collection. First used by Theodore Roosevelt in 1902, it has been used by Presidents Taft, Wilson, Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, and Eisenhower. After a period in storage starting in 1929, President Truman brought it back into service in 1945. Every Vice President since Lyndon B. Johnson has used this desk, with signatures from its users since the 1940s inside its top drawer. Additionally, a bust of Christopher Columbus, captured from a Spanish cruiser in 1898, was displayed in this office from 1898 to 1924, adding another layer of historical significance to the space.
In conclusion, while the White House is located at the iconic address of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C., the broader context of executive residences includes the Vice President’s home at Number One Observatory Circle and the ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. These locations are integral to the functioning of the U.S. executive branch, each with its own unique history and purpose.
