Search & Explore Resources & Shop Main Content have you ever wondered... When did the White House first get plumbing? The exact date of the first plumbing system in the White House remains unclear, and additions were gradually made over time. President Thomas Jefferson installed a cistern in the White House attic that distributed water through wooden pipes. The water then descended through the floors to service two water closets. During John Quincy Adams’ presidency, an iron garden pump with “nine spout holes” was attached to a well at the nearby Treasury Building and provided water to the White House Grounds. In 1833, President Andrew Jackson had installed iron pipes in the Ground Floor Corridor and a bathing room in the East Wing. By 1853, records indicate that the Second Floor of the White House had central plumbing, including hot and cold water taps. By 1876, a 2,000-gallon tank was installed in the attic to supply water throughout the White House. Featured Questions We've Also Been Asked... Has every president worked in the Oval Office? How did the White House get its name? What is the Resolute Desk? Who saved the Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington from the White House before it was burned in 1814? Has the White House ever been renovated or changed? See More Questions share Find us on... related next By Land, By Sea, By Air You Might Also Like Grid View List View Photos View collection By Land, By Sea, By Air collection Intrepid Innovation The Decorative Arts in the White House Symposium Scholarly Contributors James Archer AbbottJames Archer Abbott currently serves as the Executive Director of the Lewes Historical Society in Lewes, Delaware. A... National History Day Resources The White House Historical Association (WHHA) offers many different resources for students working on National History Day projects. About Our Authors JAMES ARCHER ABBOTT is the Executive Director of the Lewes Historical Society in Lewes, Delaware. His publications include JANSEN, JANSEN... About Our Authors AuthorsJAMES ARCHER ABBOTT is a graduate of Vassar College (B.A.) and the State University of New York’s Museum St... U.S. Presidential Visits to Domestic Mosques June 28, 1957: President Dwight D. Eisenhower - Islamic Center of WashingtonPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower's Remarks at Ceremonies Opening the Islamic CenterMr.... White House History Teacher Institute The 2021 White House History Teacher Institute will be held as a free virtual program. Scroll down for more information &amp;... Board of Directors The White House Historical Association, chartered in 1961, is a nonprofit historical and educational organization that plays a vital role in... Amazon Web Services Sponsorship Since late 2016, the White House Historical Association has been working with Amazon Web Services to leverage the newest cloud computing... Did Slaves Build the White House? Construction on the President's House began in 1792 in Washington, D.C., a new capital situated in sparsely settled region far... Slavery and the White House Construction on the President’s House began in 1792. The decision to place the capital on land ceded by two slave st... Keep Looking? White House Historical Association Home STAY IN TOUCH? Submit Book the Decatur House Buy the White House Ornament Terms of Use and Privacy Policy The Official White House Christmas Ornament Buy Now