"Sometimes I wake at night in the White House and rub my eyes and wonder if it is not all a dream." - Grover Cleveland

For over two centuries, the capital of America has been located in Washington, D.C. And among all the iconic landmarks and monuments associated with the city, nothing provides symbolism quite like the White House, the primary residence and office of the president. The instantly recognizable exterior, and its location, have ensured that the White House is associated as the main seat of power in the world's most powerful country.

At the same time, the majesty of the White House and its tranquil setting belie its rather chaotic history, which includes being burned down by the British during the War of 1812, suffering damage during wild inaugural balls, and undergoing countless renovations. As Brian Kelly, author of Best Little Stories from the White House: More Than 100 True Stories, put it, "You could almost argue, in fact, that it wasn't finished, truly, until yesterday. And...who knows what they may do to it tomorrow, as it has undergone so many changes, additions, improvements, and even subtractions in its 200-year history. The fact is, the White House we see today is not the White House of yore."

Just as the interior has changed, the use of the White House has also changed considerably over time. The White House was always intended to serve as the president's home and a place to receive dignitaries. But in the early 19th century the White House was open to the public, to the extent that people could simply call on the president.