• Plan of the City of Washington
    William Rollinson
    drawings & plans
    This map showing the plan for the city of Washington, D.C. was published by John Reid (also referred to as I. Reid) around 1795, during George Washington's presidency. Though President Washington asked French-born architect Pierre Charles L'Enfant to design the new capital, L'Enfant clashed with many important stakeholders, including Thomas Jefferson, and eventually resigned his position. City planners consequently implemented the plan of surveyor Andrew Ellicott, depicted in this map. Ellicott's design very closely mirrored that of his predecessor, but L'Enfant did not receive any credit or payment for his contribution. Renewed interest in beautifying the nation's capital in the early 20th century, however, led to the revitalization of L'Enfant's vision, especially his plan for a "public walk," which became the National Mall.
  • Proposed Extension of the Executive Mansion, ca. 1891
    Fred D. Owen
    plans
    documents
    This plan suggested a proposed expansion for the Executive Mansion attributed to First Lady Caroline Harrison around 1891. Compiled and drawn by architect Frederick Dale Owen, the plan proposes the addition of a private central court enclosed by historic and official wings as well as a series of greenhouses and conservatories housing palm gardens and a lily pond. While this proposal never came to be realized, the plan anticipates President Theodore Roosevelt's construction of the East and West Wings in 1902.
  • Drawing of the Front Hall's Curved Doorway, Decatur House Collection
    Benjamn Henry Latrobe
    plans
    Decatur House
    Washington, D.C.
    This architectural drawing of the entrance hall doors to Decatur House was created by Benjamin Henry Latrobe in January 1818. The drawing also depicts the door elevation and reflected ceiling. Latrobe is best known as the architect who designed the United States Capitol, St. John's Church, Decatur House in Lafayette Square, the White House East and West Terraces, and the Madison state rooms. He was also the chief engineer for the U.S. Navy. Completed in 1818, Decatur House was the third building on Lafayette Square and its first private residence. Decatur House was designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the architect of the Capitol and several other famous buildings, for Commodore Stephen Decatur and his wife, Susan. Tragically, in 1820 Stephen Decatur was mortally wounded during a duel and his widow Susan subsequently rented out the house to foreign ministers and several secretaries of state. The house was eventually sold and passed through several hands, including the Gadsby family, the U.S. Subsistence Bureau, and the Beale family. Marie Ogle Beale, a society maven, and the last owner left the house to National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1961. In 2010, the White House Historical Association and National Trust entered into a co-stewardship arrangement of Decatur House.
  • James Hoban White House Competition Design
    James Hoban
    drawings & plans
    White House
    This plan was drawn by James Hoban circa his 1793-1794 designs for the White House. Hoban, an Irish-born architect, won the competition to design the President's House. The competition was announced by then-Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and the prize for the winner was $500 or a medal of equal value. This drawing captures an initial plan for the North Front of the White House. Winfield Parks photographed this plan in 1962.
  • James Hoban White House Competition Design
    James Hoban
    drawings & plans
    White House
    This plan was drawn by James Hoban circa his 1793-1794 designs for the White House. Hoban, an Irish-born architect, won the competition to design the President's House. The competition was announced by then-Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and the prize for the winner was $500 or a medal of equal value. This drawing captures an initial plan for the North Front of the White House. Winfield Parks photographed this plan in 1962.
  • James Hoban White House Competition Design
    James Hoban
    drawings & plans
    White House
    This plan was drawn by James Hoban circa his 1793-1794 designs for the White House. Hoban, an Irish-born architect, won the competition to design the President's House. The competition was announced by then-Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and the prize for the winner was $500 or a medal of equal value. This drawing captures an initial plan for the North Front of the White House. Winfield Parks photographed this plan in 1962.
  • Old Basement Groin Vaulting
    Dahl Taylor 
    drawings & plans 
    This drawing of the White House groin vaulting was done by artist Dahl Taylor. The groin vaulting and a support system of arches was originally constructed in the old basement of the Executive Mansion by stonemasons under the supervision of Collen Williamson and Jeremiah Kale. The original vaulting survived until the Harry S. Truman renovation from 1948-1952.
  • Basement Entrance, North Side
    Benjamin Henry Latrobe
    drawings & plans
    North Portico
    This elevation shows Benjamin Henry Latrobe's original plans for the basement entrance on the north side of the White House. Situated beneath the raised platform that supported the main entrance, this basement doorway included Collen Williamson's flanking rustication around the door and keystone. This design feature was widely popular in the 18th Century.
  • Ceremonial Trees Garden Plan
    Sharon Bradley-Papp
    drawings & plans
    This drawing of a garden plan was made by Sharon Bradley-Papp around 1996. It highlights the trees planted by presidents and first ladies on the North and South Grounds of the White House. The more than three dozen commemoratives represent only a small portion of the White House trees, but they are among the most venerable.
  • Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe
    Thomas Jefferson
    letter
    drawings & plans
    This letter from President Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe is dated May 22, 1807. In it, Jefferson sketches a decorative landscape for the White House Grounds. Thomas Jefferson was closely involved with the construction of the White House in its earliest days. Latrobe is best known as the architect who designed the U.S. Capitol, St. John's Church, and the Decatur House in Lafayette Square, the White House colonnades, and the Madison state rooms. He was also the chief engineer for the U.S. Navy.
  • Extended West Wing Intended Excavation
    Thomas Jefferson
    drawings & plans
    This sketch of the White House Grounds was drawn by Thomas Jefferson in the early 1800's. It depicts his plan for the White House Grounds, and features his proposed excavations for an extended west wing.
  • Latrobe Landscape Sketch
    Benjamin Henry Latrobe
    drawings & plans
    This sketch was included in a letter to President Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe sent in 1807. It depicts his ongoing landscape projects at the White House. The earth was too high for the extension of the west wing and needed to be excavated. The South Grounds were also being enclosed by an irregular semicircular stone wall. Latrobe is best known as the architect who designed the U.S. Capitol, St. John's Church, and the Decatur House in Lafayette Square, the White House colonnades, and the Madison state rooms. He was also the chief engineer for the U.S. Navy.
  • Hoban to the Federal City Commission (Part I)
    James Hoban
    letter
    This letter was written by James Hoban, designer and architect of the White House, to the Commissioners of the Federal City on November 3, 1792. The letter outlines Hoban's initial material requests for construction of the President's House. Hoban also suggests hiring stonecutters from Ireland, his home country, that he was familiar with. Following President George Washington's wish, the President's House would be a house of stone. With the materials and design in place, this letter marks the beginning of construction on Hoban's grand design. Please see image 1113613 for part II.
  • Letter by Thomas Towson
    Thomas Towson
    letter
    quarry
    This letter by Thomas Towson follows up on a previous letter to Joseph Elger dated July 1, 1824. Here, he updates Elger on the status of removing stone from the quarry for use as the columns of the South Portico and states that a sufficient amount of stone has been cleared. Please see images 1113553, 1113565, and 1113566 for the July 1st letter.
  • Hoban's Preliminary White House Specifications (Part I)
    James Hoban
    letter
    This letter was written by James Hoban, designer and architect of the White House, to the Commissioners of the Federal City on October 30, 1792. The letter outlines Hoban's preliminary specifications for the President's House. The letter reads: "In consequence of your appointing me to superintend the Building of the President's House, I have made a calculation of the principal materials that will be wanted for that Building, which I shall submit to your consideration, to point out the mode, that to you, may appear proper to collect them. They are many of them expensive articles and will require much care and attention to the choice of them, being much out of the common line of Building as you will perceive from the inclosed list." Following President George Washington's wish, the President's House would be a house of stone. With the materials and design in place, construction of Hoban's grand design were in place to begin. Please see images 1113631 and 1113628 for parts II and III.
  • Hoban to the Federal City Commission (Part II)
    James Hoban
    letter
    This letter was written by James Hoban, designer and architect of the White House, to the Commissioners of the Federal City on November 3, 1792. The letter outlines Hoban's initial requests for lumber, stone, and nails to begin construction on the President's House. Following President George Washington's wish, the President's House would be a house of stone. With the materials and design in place, this letter marks the beginning of construction on Hoban's grand design. Please see image 1113629 for part II.
  • Hoban's Preliminary White House Specifications (Part II)
    James Hoban
    drawings & plans
    This list was written by James Hoban, designer and architect of the White House, to the Commissioners of the Federal City on October 30, 1792. The list outlines Hoban's preliminary specifications for the President's House. Hoban lists, among other things, his supply specifications for the flooring, scaffolding, joists, and girders. Following President George Washington's wish, the President's House would be a house of stone. Please see images 1113630 and 1113628 for parts I and III.
  • Letter to Public Buildings Commissioner Joseph Elgar (Page II)
    Thomas Towson
    letter
    quarry
    This letter was written by Aquia quarry manager Thomas Towson to Public Buildings Commissioner Joseph Elger. In it, Towson assures Elger that there is enough stone to construct the six columns of the South Portico of the White House. Included in the letter is a drawing of the site with the property lines of Wiggington's Island clearly demarcated. This is page two of three from the letter. Please see images 1113553 and 1113566 for page one and three.
  • Hoban's Preliminary White House Specifications (Part III)
    James Hoban
    inventory
    This list was written by James Hoban, designer and architect of the White House, to the Commissioners of the Federal City on October 30, 1792. The list outlines Hoban's preliminary specifications and requests for the President's House. Hoban lists, among other things, how many tons of iron and Plaster of Paris and the thousands of nails and brads he will require. Following President George Washington's wish, the President's House would be a house of stone. Please see images 1113630 and 1113631 for parts I and II.
  • Letter to Public Buildings Commissioner Joseph Elgar (Part III)
    Thomas Towson
    letter
    quarry
    This letter was written by Aquia quarry manager Thomas Towson to Public Buildings Commissioner Joseph Elger. In it, Towson assures Elger that there is enough stone to construct the six columns of the South Portico of the White House. Included in the letter is a drawing of the site with the property lines of Wiggington's Island clearly demarcated. This is page three of three from the letter. Please see images 1113553 and 1113565 for pages 1-2.
  • White House Stonemason's Agreement
    Commissioners of the Federal Buildings
    letter
    This agreement between Collen Williamson and the Commissioners of the Federal Buildings was signed on August 29, 1792. Williamson, a Scot, was the first stonemason chosen by the Commission to begin construction on the White House. According to the agreement, Williamson was to find, hire, and pay all of the stonecutters and stonemasons involved with the construction. The agreement reads: "It is agreed between Colin [sic] Williamson and the Commissioners of the Federal Buildings that the said Colin Williamson will superintend the Stone Cutting in the City of Washington for the public Buildings...and the laying the same stone and such Part of the Masonry as his Attention & Skill may be thought necessary or useful in and will afford his Assistance in the hiring of Stone-Cutters and adjusting their Accounts and in general in promoting and conducting the work--For which Services the said Williamson is to be paid four Hundred Pounds Maryland Money...and if any travelling expences[sic] should be incurred by Journeys to the Stone Quarries."
  • Letter to Public Buildings Commissioner Joseph Elgar (Part I)
    Thomas Towson
    letter
    quarry
    This letter was written by Aquia quarry manager Thomas Towson to Public Buildings Commissioner Joseph Elger. In it, Towson assures Elger that there is enough stone to construct the six columns of the South Portico of the White House. Included in the letter is a drawing of the site with property lines clearly demarcated. This is page one of three from the letter. Please see images 1113565 and 1113566 for pages 2-3.
  • USGS Topographical Map
    U.S. Geological Survey
    maps
    This topographical map by the U.S. Geological Survey depicts the region of Maryland along the Potomac River where the stones for the White House were quarried. The prevailing quarry was at Seneca, located on the map just north of the word "River" at the 20' by 5' grid mark.
  • Virginia and Maryland as it is Planted and Inhabited This Present Year 1670
    Augustine Herrman
    maps
    This 1670 map of the middle reaches of the Potomac River gives the locations of what would be Aquia quarry, marked Brents on the map and the site of the new Federal City to the east, labeled "Turkey Buzzard Point.” The map has north oriented to the east features the creator's portrait in the lower right quadrant, and notes about the geography of important events that occurred at various locations.
  • White House, North Elevation
    Brian F. Pederson
    Hugh D. Hughes
    Richard A. Ventrone
    drawings & plans
    This elevation plan of the North Front was completed as a part of the 1988-1992 Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) of the sandstone White House walls. The survey, which began during the Jimmy Carter administration and lasted more than twenty years, removed more than 30 coats of white paint and preserved the sandstone walls that dated back to the construction of the Executive Mansion. Though the layers of paint protected the delicate sandstone, they also obscured the intricate stone carvings. The survey also allowed for experts to study and record the stonework done so many years before. The elevation plan is a precise, stone-by-stone scale drawing as the house appeared in 1830, before the addition of the North Portico.