Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-08
THE WHITE HOUSE.

MES, on Oct. 10, 1902, and the structure is,
therefore, nearly 100 years old. President
Washington and a large cOncourse of peo-
pie witnessed the important event. The
building was completed in 1893, at a total
cost of $685., 207, and after the interior WAS
partially burned BY the British troops in
1914 further expenditure of $780,
600 was required in reconstruc-
ton and refurnishing. The ar
cnitect of the building was a young
man named Hoban, who won the prize Of
$500 offered by the commissioners tor the
best design, and who was subsequently
employed TO superintend the construction
at salary of 100 guineas per year. The
design is in close resemblance TO that OF
the palace Of the Duke OF Leinster, in Dub
lin, which the architect had seen, and fol-
lowed. Ii is of the Grecian order of arcai-
lecture, has two stories aud basement,
and is surmOunted by wide bGlustrade.
At the main entrance is grand pOrticO
OF Ionic columns and at the rear a semi
circular cOlonnade. The material used
IN construction WAS Virginia freestone,
painted white. Adjoining the house on
the west is conservatory, containing a
choice ana varied collection OF plants and
eXOtics.
The famous rooms of the White House
are the East room, the Red, Blue aud
Green rooms, the Library and State
Dining room. The East room WAS Origi-
nally the banquet hall" but is now one
Of the public reception rooms. IL ia the
largest apartment in the house, being 40
by 50 feet, with lofty ceilings aud magni-
hcent appointments. Three massive crys-
tai chandeliers hang down from the three
proiu6ely decorated panels Of the ceiling
and eight long, beautiful mirrors, sup
ported on carved mantels in white and
gold, are placed on the TOUR sides OF the
room. The carpet, hangings and uphol-
stery are exceedingly rich and costly
Full-length paintings Of General and
Martha Washington hang upon the walls.
When evening receptions are given by the
President the room Is fragant and beauti-
full with flowers, and when thus
adorned under a full food OF
gas light, with the added eject Of beautl.
tul women in evening toilets, IL presents
scene rarely equaled in brilliancy. The
Green, Blue aud Red rooms are named
from the cOlors Of their decorations and
hangings, aud all belong to the suite of
reception rooms. The President receives
his guests In the Blue room, which is the
centre OF the suite and oval shaped. IL Is
the most richly and tastefully embellished
room OF the four. The Red room IL the
Presidents evening room. tits furnished
aud arranged as a family pRrlOr, has
hooks and bric-a-brac. a mahogany table
over 100 years old, and presents cheer
ful, cosy appearance. A fine portrait Of
Lincoln hangs above the maptel. The
Rtate dining-room, in which the President
gives ceremoni0us dinners during the
winter 70 the members OF the Cabinet.
Senators and Representatives, the JUS
tices Of the Supreme Court, the diplomatic
corps, and other distinguished person
ages, is at the western end OF the corridor.
IL Is magnihcently furnished, and ~ rs
table over City persons can dine. When
state dinners are given, the White House
is brilliant with lights and towers, with
court costumes and splendid toilets, with
lalr women and stately men. The table 10
yet with the sumptuOug state china. on
which 10 finely depicted the fauna and
fora OF America, and with masses OF
silver and dellcately cut glass. In the
cabinet room, which IS spaCi0us and we'll
arranged for the purpose, the President
meets the members Of bis Cabinet every
THURSDAY and Friday etnoons and around