Name/Title
StereographEntry/Object ID
2023.055.3.0365Description
A black and white stereograph. Image is of several buildings. Above the image "30" is printed, below the image "V26112 - From Navy Dept. (S. E.) Past the White House to the Capitol." is printed, to the left of the image "Keystone View Company Copyrighted, Underwood & Underwood Manufacturers MADE IN U.S.A. Publishers" is printed, to the right of the image "Meadville, Pa., New York, N. Y., Chicago, Ill., London, England." is printed. On the reverse the following is printed:
V26112
SOUTHEAST TO WHITE HOUSE FROM STATE, WAR AND NAVY BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D. C.
Before leaving the State, War and Navy Building we go to one of the high windows on its eastern side to take note of the fine view of the Executive Mansion and grounds and the more distant one, which we shall presently enjoy more closely, up Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol.
The "President's House" of today is, in many respects, quite different from the Mansion of 1902 and earlier, but it more nearly fulfills the plans of its original designer, james Hoban, than it did in former years. Though the cornerstone was laid in 1792, in the presence of George Washington, the Executive Mansion was not occupied unitl 1800 when President John Quincy Adams and wife moved inot it though it was till in a very unfinished condition. The original building cost $33,000 but it was so badly damaged in 1814, when burnd by the Biritish under Admiral Cockburn during their occupation of Washington, that its restoration demanded an additional expenditure of $246,500. Upon the completion of the repairs, the freestone walls were painted white to conceal the injury done by the fire, and this fact gave rise to the name "White House," by which it was popularly known for many years before the phrase was given official acceptance by President Roosevelt. It was duirng the administration of the latter that in 1902 theEast and West Terraces, originally contemplated by Hoba, were built, together with the Executive Office. The latter the West Terrace adjoining it, we see below us. At the same time the interior of the main building was made thoroughly fireproof and extensive alterations were completed rendering it much mor commodious and convenient.
Copyright Keystone View CompanyCollection
Photograph Collection