The White House has served as the residence of the president of the United States since 1800, when John and Abigail Adams first moved in. Today, while presidents and their families come and go, the seamless functioning of the Executive Mansion relies on a dedicated team of career staff.

These individuals, some of whom spend their entire careers in service to the White House, ensure that its operations carry on regardless of political transitions. However, this continuity has not always been present, as the structure of the household and its staff evolved significantly over time. Free and enslaved workers built the White House, and early household operations also relied on a mix of free and enslaved labor. Many early presidents brought enslaved individuals with them to the White House and often employed personal stewards to manage household operations.

Congress did not provide funds for the president’s household expenses. As a result, every new president was responsible for hiring and managing their own staff. Over time, some of these domestic roles transitioned into government positions, laying the foundation for the modern White House staff structure.

One notable figure in this transition was William Slade, an African American man who worked in the White House during President Abraham Lincoln’s administration and was later appointed steward by President Andrew Johnson. Slade’s role was significant, as it marked a shift toward African Americans holding positions of greater responsibility in the White House. His promotion was celebrated within the African American community as a milestone, even though his tenure as steward was brief due to his death in 1868. Another long-serving figure from this era was Jerry Smith, who worked as a laborer at the White House from the presidencies of........

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