Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-03-16
THE WHITE HOUSE
Its Architectural Restoration by
Charles FoIIen McKim.
VAST CHANGES WERE MADE.

VASl CHAiv0ES WE'VE MAUE.
Tho interior Was Practically Remade,
and the Greatest Care Was Bestowed
Upon Even the Minutest Details-A
Criticism and a Story.
The White House, the work of the
architect James Hoban. burned by the
British in 1892 and restored and com
pIcted by Hoban about 1880, remained
with little change in it's condition I'M
til about 1866. From this period In
til the administration Of Theodore
in the interior, made on authority Of
the presidential resident, which de-
stroyed the fitness and dignity Of this
beautiful building.
Roosevelt soon after he became pres
ident selected Charles Follcn McKim
to restore instead OF to enlarge the
building.
McKim gave his whole attention to
design, from the broadcast principles
controlling the relations and unity be-
tween the larger elements Of halls and
rooms down to the minutest details OF
mantels, stucco ornaments and light
ing fixtures.
The broad principles Of the work
consisted in restoring the terrace on
the east, removed during Grants adj
ministration; removing the green
houses and propagating beds, remov-
ing the presidents public offices from
the residence to n separate structure,
restoring the interior from the ground
to the roof and refurnishing the prin-
cipal floor.
While McIKim was maturing his de-
signs and the drawings were being
made the building as it existed from
the ground to the roof was being torn
and upper floors.
AS the work progressed Mchim
rave each detail his attention as it
went into place. He did not hesitate.
although the time was so limited, to
alter or change details which he found
did not appear just as he had expected.
This seeking the best results was
well Illustrated III finishing the private
dining room. The nodded panels and
cornices of this room MclNim thought
were too coarse in scale when he saw
them on the wall. He had portions
of them made more delicate. New
holdings were made and put up, then
others, until he finally selected those
most appropriate.
The new holdings threw cornice or
naments and the center out of scale,
and these had to be removed and 9th
ers secured after several trials before
he was satisfied with the room as {;
harmonious composition.
1t was necessary to build 4 structure
FOR the public office separate from the
residence. McIIim determined to place
this at the end Of the west terrace,
making it one story in height. nc high
er than the terrace, thus making it in
every way subordinate to the main
building. While he considered it a
temporary building, it contained all the
Office rooms needed for the conduct of
the presidents business. McKim's hope
was that an adequate office building,
with stately apartments, for diplomat
ic and other functions might be built
some time in the near future facing
the capitol at the executive mansion
end of the avenue, thus restoring the
original idea Of reciprocity Of sight be-
tween the executive and legislative
branches Of the government.
This one story Office building was
much ridiculed because it did not com
pete with the White House and was Sc
simple in its design.
At a private dinner in Washington,
among some dozen guests, McKim and
a government official were present,
The official began to belittle and to
ridicule the office building Of the presi-
dent. McKim said:
1.-THE conversation reminds me Of an
afternoon in St Gaudens' studio
some years ago. The wonderful stat.
Ne Of Farragut, just finished, was on
exhibition, and a lady handsomely
dressed and stately in carriage came
in. l retired, and st. Gaudens car
ried her in to see the statue. After q
short time st. Gaudens returned
with a cheerful countenance and whis,
Ting merrily. I said. Well. Gus,
know she must have been pleased with
the statue, as you are SO gay No.
he said; she did not like it. If she had
l would have known it was bad"
A broad smile ran around the table.
The official stiffened up, but finally
gave way and joined in the laugh.
McKim's refinement, good taste,
keen appreciation Of the beauty Of the
old White House. together with his
long study Of Italian and Of the Geor.
gian adaptation of Italian renaissance,
made him the ideal man for its res
toration again into a dignified resi-
dence for the president Of a democratic
nation.-Glenn Brown in Architectural
Record.
Honey Vinegar.