Main Content

The White House Gets Running Water

The White House Gets Running Water

A hand pump, similar to the one depicted in this optical illusion disc, was used to get water into the White House bathing room in the 1830s.

Credit
Library of Congress

Share

Related

Related
Next ELA/STEM Resource: History and Technology at the…

You Might Also Like

  • Page

    ELA/STEM Resource: History and Technology at the White House

    Help your students discover the technological innovations that changed the White House – and American society. They’ll research a technological advancement from the past, write a White House visitor’s guide, and create a historical narrative that’s set in the White House. This easy-to-use standards-based resource was created as hybrid ELA & Social Studies lessons with a STEM twist for grad

  • Collection

    The 2023 White House Christmas Ornament

    Every year since 1981, the White House Historical Association has had the privilege of designing the Official White House Christmas Ornament. These unique collectibles — honoring individual presidents or specific White House anniversaries — have become part of the holiday tradition for millions of American families. In this collection, explore the history behind our 2023 design and learn more about President Gerald R. Ford. Buy

  • Collection

    By Land, By Sea, By Air

    Whether by hoof, air, waterway, road, or rail, the President’s access to reliable transportation is essential during their time in the Executive Mansion. Modes of transportation have varied over the course of time as technology and the individual presidents’ needs have changed. While George Washington may have thought a well-bred horse was the pinnacle of mobility, subsequent presidents would find

  • Collection

    Intrepid Innovation

    The computer, the car, space travel. These technologies, while seemingly old hat now, are examples of monumental technological advancement. Even less glamorous technologies such as the modern bathroom, electrical lighting, and electric vacuum cleaners have fundamentally shaped modern life. For many of these technologies, the White House has acted as a testing ground, ultimately demonstrating to the American people their

  • Page

    2024 Next-Gen Leaders

    As part of the White House Historical Association’s 60th anniversary celebration in 2021, the Next-Gen Leaders (NGL) initiative was announced. The NGL cohort is a group of influential young professionals representing a wide variety of fields, bound together by a passion for history, civics, and education. NGL members serve as ambassadors for the Association's nonpartisan, nonprofit, and historic mission and to

  • Page

    Nik Honeysett

    Nik Honeysett has thirty years of experience in management, administration, information technology, and strategy in the cultural sector. Before joining BPOC as CEO, he was head of administration for the J. Paul Getty Museum, where he additionally led their digital transformation and engagement efforts. Before this role, he led the Getty’s Web Group, responsible for all aspects of the ma

  • Page

    2023 Presidential Sites Summit Schedule

    Monday, September 25 12:00pm: Registration at the Mayflower Hotel 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: White House Reception Please join us for a White House Reception hosted by Dr. Biden. Introduction: John F.W. Rogers, Chairman, White House Historical Association Board of DirectorsRemarks: Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States Shuttles will depart the Mayflower Hotel at 2:30 pm. Following the reception, the shuttles wi

  • Page

    Chris Cummings

    Chris Cummings is the founder and CEO of ICONIC, the largest digital art platform for museums and cultural institutions around the world. ICONIC is a recipient of the United Nations World Summit Award for innovation in Culture and Tourism. With the recent ground-breaking launch of ICONIC’s Jackson Pollock “Beyond the Edge” campaign, nearly $500,000 was raised in less than three hours

  • Page

    Fionnghuala (“Fig”) O’Reilly

    Fionnghuala (“Fig”) O’Reilly is an actress and TV correspondent for the award-winning and Daytime Emmy-nominated STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) television series, Mission Unstoppable. The show airs weekly nationwide on Saturday mornings on CBS. In 2019, Fig, who is Irish and American, made history as the first woman of color and first Black woman to represent Ireland at an intern

  • Page

    Sara Kanawati Stephany

    Sara Kanawati Stephany is the co-chair of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library New Frontier Network—a cohort of young leaders engaging new generations in the late president’s legacy of service. She works as a communications and public affairs strategist for leading organizations in the healthcare, technology, and human service sectors. A naturalized U.S. citizen from Syria, Kanawati Step

  • Page

    Kellee Wicker

    Kellee Wicker leads the Science and Technology Innovation Program (STIP) at the Wilson Center, a Congressionally chartered think tank that provides nonpartisan counsel and insights on global affairs to policymakers through deep research, impartial analysis, and independent scholarship. The STIP team provides research and insight to Congress, global policymakers, and the general public on a number of emerging technologies and