A Historic Landmark
This 14,000-square-foot Georgian Revival home, sitting on almost 7 acres, is both a residence for the president and family as well as a receiving point for visiting dignitaries, alumni, community groups and supporters. It was designed by University of Illinois architect James M. White and New York architect Charles A. Platt. Completed in 1931 at a cost of nearly $225,000, the current President's House has served as the official residence for the head of the University of Illinois, beginning with President Harry Woodburn Chase.
President Barack Obama, aviator Amelia Earhart, former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, actor John Malkovich, movie critic Roger Ebert, businessmen and philanthropists Arnold Beckman and Thomas Siebel, governors, Nobel laureates, Supreme Court justices, artists, coaches, international ambassadors and members of town-and-gown organizations — all have crossed the threshold into the President's House.