I've no idea what colour it was before the British/ Canadians burnt it in 1814-- though apparently it was neo-classical Georgian white when built in 1798.

Thus, it was white because at the time, people had yet to realize that ancient classical buildings and statuary were most often painted, not plain white.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_of_Washington

Afterwards, it was blacked and burnt-looking. That's part of why they painted it white: to wipe out the shame: fresh start. Back to rights.

As you say, it's pure racism to go on about the 'white people' house. After all, a few slave-owners may have lived there, but so did Abraham Lincoln and subsequent freedom-minded people.

Binks

Oh, Binks. Don't you realize that, as the first "post-racial" president--and also the first transcendent one--"Barry's Place" will be neither black nor white. Rather, it will be...do you remember that happy rainbowy place where the Care Bears lived? It'll be like that.