The following are the main items of the work: 1. Some of the greenhouses west of the House were torn down to make room for the new office building, a one-story structure of brick, painted white, 100 by 50 feet. 2. The remaining greenhouses and the conservatory were torn down and four small greenhouses and one large one erected at the propagating gardens out of this material for White House use. 3. The foundations of the former conservatory were kept and remodeled into laundry and other service rooms, a connection way being built through this part between the White House and the new office for the private use of the President. 4. A similar one-story basement extension was built on the east side toward the Treasury, terminating in a guardroom and portecochère for the new driveway and entrance which were cut through the grounds on the east side. This extension is a long cloakroom for the use of the large number of guests received during the winter season. 5. The basement of the House is divided into two unequal parts, separated by partition and doors. The western end, which is about one-third of the whole, contains the kitchens, steward's rooms, ice boxes, etc., much as they were before, but with some changes. The eastern end has been fitted up with dressing and toilet rooms on the so-called English basement plan. The original kitchen of the House now contains all the boilers and machinery. 6. The old office stairs and stairs to the basement have been removed and stone stairs from the basement to the first floor substituted. Also stone stairs from first to second floor, beginning opposite the Green Parlor door. A private and service stairs from basement to attic was also built in space taken from the south end of the old anteroom. 7. The so-called Tiffany glass screen in the front vestibule was removed and the whole vestibule and corridor thrown into one. The pillars which formerly divided the vestibule from the corridor, and which dated from the original House, were removed and replaced by others different in style and position. 8. The west end of the first floor corridor was thrown into the old State Dining Room by removing the stairs (which date from General Grant's time), and also removing the brick wall between them for two stories up. This was an original wall of the original House and was of brick and 2 feet thick. In the new room thus formed one of the west windows was closed up to permit the introduction of a large open fireplace. 9. The Red, Blue, and Green parlors remain, except that their decorations were changed and the two mantel pieces from the former State Dining Room, and which belong to the original House, were placed, one in the Green and one in the Red Parlor. A new door was also cut in the southwest corner of the Green Parlor, connecting it with the Blue Parlor. 10. The form of the East Room was not changed, but the door into the former office lobby was closed up. Four red African marble fireplaces were introduced and the entire decoration of the room changed. 11. The doors at the east and west ends of the first-floor corridor (opening into the East Room and new State Dining Room) were changed from their original arched tops with fan windows to square tops. 12. On the second story, the former office rooms over the East Room were made into bedrooms with bathrooms, and bathrooms were added for each of the other bedrooms. 13. In the attic several servants' rooms were added and made accessible by the service stairs above mentioned. Furnishings.-The entire first floor was refurnished in rugs, hangings, etc Most of the former furniture of the first floor was utilized for the dressing rooms in the basement. On the second floor there was some new furniture and much reupholstering, etc., of the former furniture. Machinery. A new heating plant was put in and a new electric elevator, and the house was entirely rewired for lighting and telephonic communication. Disposal of old furnishings.-The old crystal chandeliers were sent, by direction of the President, and upon request of the Superintendent of the Capitol, to be utilized at the Capitol. Some bookcases were also sent to the same place. What furniture was not utilized in the new House or by other Departments of the Government was sold at auction by direction of the President. Photographs.-Seventeen photographs showing the changes made at the White House, both exterior and interior, accompany this report. MAINTENANCE OF EXECUTIVE MANSION, PRESIDENT'S OFFICE BUILDING, STABLE, AND GREENHOUSES. Executive Mansion. Since the date of the reoccupancy of the Mansion by the President on November 12, 1902, the care required for the maintenance of the building and its furniture has been extended. Such of the old furniture as was found suitable for use was put in thorough repair, the stuffed furniture being reupholstered and re-covered. Old carpets were made over into rugs; mattresses, bolsters, and pillows remade; picture and mirrow frames and window cornices regilded; bed draperies made, new window awnings purchased, loose covers of cotton damask made for upholstered furniture, new rubber castors placed on all furniture, and 9 new electric-light fixtures of 4 lights each placed in bedchambers in place of the 1-light fixtures formerly used in those rooms. A 3-inch water pipe was run from the engine room to the attic to convey water for use in case of fire there. During the social season the preparation required for such occasions were made for three State dinners, one day reception, and four evening receptions, and one tea, and six musicales. After those functions were over furniture was replaced in proper position and the House restored to its usual condition. In May and June the House was put into summer dress. The rugs and carpets, amounting to 1,879 yards, were taken up, cleaned, and stored in the Government storehouse at the propagating gardens. All of the draperies-53 window, 5 door, and 23 over draperies-were taken down, cleaned, placed in boxes, and stored in the attic. New wire window screens were made where required and old ones repaired. Electric-light fixtures and appliances and the plumbing and heating apparatus were maintained in good condition and necessary repairs made. Seventy bay trees and 70 boxwood THE SOUTHERN FAÇADE, WHITE HOUSE, SHOWING COLONNADES, LOOKING NORTH ON THE MERIDIAN. (Taken at 12 M.) |