Presidential residences

Close up of the "Buffalo Mantel" and portrait of Abraham Lincoln in the State Dining Room, as they appeared in February 1948. The mantel, installed originally in 1902, was removed during the renovation of 1949-1952, because the architects believed it was not in keeping with the original design of the White House. The Buffalo Mantel is now in the collection of the Harry S. Truman Library. From an album of Abbie Rowe photographs of the White House, prior to the 1949 renovation.

View to the northeast showing the newly renovated main entrance hall of the White House.

Photo of the Red Room, from an album of photographs by Abbie Rowe of the White House prior to the 1949 renovation.

Dwarfed by the massive steel beams and supporting structures, a worker inspects the new elevator well in the sub-basement of the White House.

Northeast view of the second floor from the Monroe Room. The large wooden joist, above the ceiling and across the entire length of the East Room, dates from 1915-1818. The iron joists were installed in 1902.

President Harry S. Truman in the food line for lunch in the garden of the Little White House, while on vacation in Key West, Florida. Pictured with (from left to right) George M. Elsey, unidentified steward (on near side of table), Admiral Robert L. Dennison, Legislative Assistant to the President Joseph Feeney, Admiral William D. Leahy, and President Truman.

View of south front of the White House and a storage building housing special exhibits during renovations. Taken during a visit by members of the Institute of Architects during a convention in Washington, D. C.

View in south side of basement showing insulation around air-conditioning ducts during the White House renovation.

To underscore the size of the massive new ventilation system being installed above the tunnel in the new White House basement, the photographer placed workmen inside the illuminated ductwork. All are unidentified.

An assassination attempt the day before did not keep President Truman from taking his morning walk cane in hand through the streets of downtown Washington, D.C. Flanked by unidentified Secret Service men, the Chief Executive is shown walking down Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House. An automobile is in view beside them.