General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPhotos of President Truman's White House Renovation/Excavation Project
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/white-house-mostly-reconstruction-original-180955229/
democratisphere
(17,235 posts)Thanks for this Donkees!
Sneederbunk
(14,298 posts)That is where some Puerto Ricans attempted to assassinate him.
UTUSN
(70,725 posts)Agschmid
(28,749 posts)Hassin Bin Sober
(26,335 posts)Donkees
(31,450 posts)December 1948 March 1952
Total cost: $5.7 million USD
Duration: December, 1948 March 27, 1952
Notable changes
Structure rebuilt using concrete and steel beams in place of original wooden joists
126 new reinforced concrete support columns to a depth of 25 ft
660 tons of steel to strengthen the new concrete inner walls and floors
Repositioning of the grand staircase to open into the Entrance Hall, rather than the Cross Hall
Additional of central air conditioning
Addition of two sub-basements providing space for workrooms, storage, and a bomb shelter
http://twistedsifter.com/2013/02/trumans-white-house-renovation/
More Photos at this link
Second Floor Oval Study above Blue Room, 03/09/1950
oasis
(49,401 posts)Great photos. Thanx.
Exotica
(1,461 posts)oasis
(49,401 posts)Of course he'd stiff the contractors.
Donkees
(31,450 posts)https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/history-culture/article/Historical-photographs-show-the-White-House-6964980.php#photo-9669091
OldHippieChick
(2,434 posts)the cost now would be astronomical.
Donkees
(31,450 posts)So in December of 1948, President Truman moved to the Blair House across the street and so began a multi-year renovation that would cost $5.7 million USD. The entire process was faithfully documented by Abbie Rowe, a photographer for the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. High-resolution photos (seen below) of the renovation were uploaded ...to the Flickr Commons account of The U.S. National Archives.
The ceiling of the East Room, weighing seventy pounds to the square foot, was found to be sagging as much as 18 inches
The marble grand staircase was in imminent danger of collapse
Supporting bricks, bought second-hand in 1880, were disintegrating
The mansions plumbing was deemed makeshift and unsanitary
The presidents bathtub was sinking into the floor
Wooden beams had been weakened by cutting and drilling for plumbing and wiring over 150 years
The addition of the steel roof and full third floor in 1927 added weight the building could no longer handle
http://twistedsifter.com/2013/02/trumans-white-house-renovation/
FakeNoose
(32,722 posts)The early 1950's had everybody freaking out about "the A-bomb" and people were building shelters in their backyards. I know the White House needed renovation as well as many more offices for the president's staff, but the bomb shelter was another reason. Just in case the big one hit.
Donkees
(31,450 posts)As one of the most voracious readers of history ever to serve as president, Truman recoiled from that prospect.
He also felt that witnessing the old White House being torn to the ground would wound Americans psyches. He instead approved a plan to shore up the outer walls, tear out everything inside and install a new internal steel superstructure (of skyscraper strength, The Washington Evening Star said) above a large new, poured-concrete basement. (The basement included a shelter from nuclear attack, where President George W. Bush was taken on the evening of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.)
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/white-house-mostly-reconstruction-original-180955229/
xxqqqzme
(14,887 posts)dismantled, put together inside so the excavation work could begin. He didn't want pictures of a bulldozer being driven into the White House either.
Donkees
(31,450 posts)(?)
Truman was adamant that no large holes were made in the walls of the White House.
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/history-culture/article/Historical-photographs-show-the-White-House-6964980.php#photo-9669091
BigmanPigman
(51,624 posts)where the wall meets the W House lawn. Scientists say it is from a ton of rain that they recently got but I think it is the fucking moron's SWAMP due to the large amount of corruption.
moose65
(3,168 posts)Amazing photographs!
gilligan
(194 posts)I could have done for much less.
oasis
(49,401 posts)erronis
(15,328 posts)I was much more in awe of the construction/destruction than who was leading the tour.
Much later I was able to visit him with my very young family in Independence just prior to his death. And I still didn't understand the significance.
And now, another 50+ years, I'm learning about the world anew and how it needs to be re-interpreted through the various lenses of history.
Donkees
(31,450 posts)It seems like such a far away world now.
When he retired from office in 1952 his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an allowance and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.
After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them.
When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, You dont want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesnt belong to me. It belongs to the American people and its not for sale.
kwassa
(23,340 posts)just like the slaves who originally built the place.
defacto7
(13,485 posts)mcar
(42,372 posts)Excellent photos. Thanks.
Rhiannon12866
(205,854 posts)Thanks so much for posting!
Kilgore
(1,733 posts)Really enjoyed the Smithsonian article and the link to all the photos.