Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-11-12
ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE
some Facts Relating to the Structure
Not Generally Known.

When President Roosevelt moved into
The White House his quarters included
only three chambers. two bathrooms, {;
ivlhSroom. reception room Cast room.
private dining room and kitchen; and
having a large family ne naturally found
Inc quarters too small. This was not
due, however, to the size of the White
House. but because Il large portion OF il
had for long time been gwen up to cX-
ecutive Offices. Many officials Of the Gov
crnmcnt had more ,commodious homes
tl'an the President himself.
So Congress made an approximation OF
$4,000 to r2novate the White House. and
voted to turn it completely over to the
President for his private residence, and
construct a new building to be used for
executive offices. The building of the
White House was begun in 1893 and fin
time by President John Adams. In 1911.
during President Madison's administra-
ton, the British tried to burn it. but only
succeeded in Destroying Il part of the
The original plans of the White House,
which were designed by a Scotchman.
MacNcyons,, had disappeared and could
York firm of McI<inr. lMead and White.
architects. very curiously ran across
them in Belfast, ireland. in the archives
of a descendant of the Original designer.
Through the coul tcsy of, the latter they
brought them back to this country. and
they were used in ths..renovation of the
White House.
According to the rlans there were o~iGi-
nally two colonnadcs Instead of one. one
on the west-the one then standing-and
one on the east. So a new colonuade was
constructed 261 feet long, p feet wide,
and containing G00 compartments to be
used as cloakroomS for the accommodate
plctely renovated; now floors were laid.
old timbcrs. which had become tired
We're Replaced with steel beams and CIR
dars Tho State diuing-roorn was enlarged
to seat 80 people. instead Of fifty, as be
fore. ana seven new bathrooms were in
stalled.
When the carpenters were charging tho
rooms it was necessary to remove several
pillars. each ere of which was tipped by
a gilded American eagle. one of which is
now III the hands of a foreman Of con-
Struct ION from whom the material for
this article was largely secured. The lat
ter also has five panels taken from a
friHzc over the .vcstibmle. representing the
coat-of-arms Of the Washington family.
the co3t-of-armS of Virginia, a coat of
mail. the COW of plenty and an American
eagle. The same gentleman has the first
House-an old-fashiOncd brass bell about
three inches in diameter. which has ad-
mttcd Presidents of the United States:
foreign princes and great men of al
countries to tho rem 1tcSt sections Of tho
earth. This same man has a walking
stick made from the very board of TIL"
floor on which Iincoln's feet rested when
he signed the Emancipation Proclana-
nation. tho truth Of which is vouchod for
hv an old ianitor in tho White House
who has served every President of this
RtnuhliC since the time Of Lincoln.
The gate posts admit to the public
driveway through which all visitors pnss
to the White House. On the left is tho
south front facing the Potomac River DIT
was usually customary to build NIr@inla
mansions facing tho rivHr,. To the right
is PonrsvIvania avenue. from which the
President and his family enter tn" White
House. TIL" Crc1t building in the back
pTDID1 the left is the War. State ana
Navy EIriIdnE.
The White HOUSE appears as if it We're
made Of marble. but it is mad" Of Nir-
cinia sandstone. which IS painted white
three or rour times every wear. tn" new
cnlnnna,lr probably contains fifty coats of
pint. W. arc Guito Surc that or read
ors Will acro, That this is on" of tho most
magnificent huidir"s as indeed il :ho,ild
whole United S.atcs.-Quccn Quality Top
les.