1949-1952: Gutting the White House (Pic Heavy)

[demmiblue]

Source: Mashable

When President Harry S. Truman moved his family into the White House in 1945, he was annoyed by the draftiness, creaking floors and mysterious sounds which seemed to permeate the old building.

Soon, people noticed chandeliers swaying without any apparent cause and floors visibly moving when stepped on.

Structural investigations revealed that the White House, which had been burned down in the War of 1812 and rebuilt, expanded and retrofitted in a haphazard manner over the decades, was only standing, in the words of the Public Buildings Administration commissioner, “by force of habit.”

Examiners concluded that the second floor was a fire hazard and in imminent danger of collapse. Foundations were sinking, walls were peeling away and disused water and gas pipes added unsustainable weight to the building.



May 17, 1950
Bulldozers move earth around inside the gutted shell of the White House.
Image: National Archives




Feb. 10, 1950
Workers dismantle a bathtub.
Image: National Archives




Feb. 14, 1950
Workers gut a lower corridor.
Image: National Archives




March 9, 1950
Men stand in the second floor Oval Study above the Blue Room.
Image: National Archives




Nov. 6, 1950
Workers lay concrete ceilings for basement rooms below the northeast corner of the White House.
Image: National Archives

More: http://mashable.com/2016/01/06/white-house-renovation/#RWRguaryGkqQ

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I knew the place had been renovated over the years, but

I had no idea it had been completely gutted and redone inside. Fascinating.

[world wide wally]

2. A project like this could never be approved by a Republican Congress today...

It would cut into paying for our next war (even our last few come to think of it)

[Renew Deal]

3. Did the Truman family still live there during the renovation?

[demmiblue]

5. No, they stayed at the Blair House during renovations. n/t

[Sherman A1]

8. They went to Blair House

across the street. I think that Bess spent a good deal of time back in Independence, while Harry lived at Blair House for the most part except when traveling. I am sure the Truman Library has more information on that.

[hunter]

4. That must have been an awesome work site.

I'd have loved working there, even with safety standards being what the were then.

[callous taoboy]

7. That is really wild. Thanks for posting.

[hedgehog]

9. We've all been there - you start to fix that leak under the kitchen sink,

and the next thing you know.........

[demmiblue]

10. Heh.... too true!