Why is it called the 'White' House?

[Spider Jerusalem]

4. Nope!

White House, as the abode of the President of the country is modestly called... (NB this is in a book from 1850)

"An invitation to dine at the 'White House' always runs 'The President requests the pleasure, etc'" - James Fenimore Cooper, 1833.

"I proceeded with the detachment of sailors and marines under my command to the White House, on the west bank of the Potomac" - Niles' Weekly Register, 1 Oct 1814 (NB that this use of the term "White House" dates to shortly after the burning of the Executive Mansion by the British in August of that year.)

"Sir, I will turn Jefferson out of that 'white house', and hang him, and Congress I will pack off" - Aaron Burr, quoted in The Weekly Inspector, Jan 1807

So the Executive Mansion has been known as "The White House" since at least the first decade of the 19th century, and the name has nothing to do with it being repainted after the British burned it (or with racism).