• East Wing & South Portico, Truman Renovation
    Abbie Rowe
    renovation
    east view
    This photograph by Abbie Rowe was taken during the Truman renovation of the White House. Between 1948 and 1952, the White House was gutted and the interior was completely reconstructed. The facade remained intact during construction.
  • New Extended Basement Under Construction
    Abbie Rowe
    renovation
    North Portico
    This photograph by Abbie Rowe of the National Park Service shows the construction to extend the basement under the North Portico. This work was part of President Harry S. Truman's large-scale 1948-1952 renovation of the White House.
  • Engineers of the Truman Renovation
    Abbie Rowe
    renovation
    South Lawn
    This photograph by Abbie Rowe of the National Park Service shows the lead engineers of the Truman Renovation. Pictured are Gen. Glenn E. Edgerton, Lorenzo S. Winslow, Harbin S. Chandler, Jr., and an unidentified man.
  • South Portico Under Construction
    Abbie Rowe
    renovation
    South Portico
    construction & maintenance
    south view
    This photograph by Abbie Rowe of the National Park Service shows the south side of the White House under construction. This work was part of President Harry S. Truman's large-scale 1948-1952 renovation of the White House.
  • Exterior South View During Truman Renovation
    Abbie Rowe
    renovation
    South Portico
    This photograph by Abbie Rowe of the National Park Service shows the exterior of the south side of the White House during construction. It shows material being removed from the interior of the house through existing window openings. This work was part of President Harry S. Truman's large-scale 1948-1952 renovation of the White House.
  • North Portico Excavation
    Abbie Rowe
    renovation
    North Portico
    construction & maintenance
    This photograph by Abbie Rowe of the National Park Service shows the excavation and expansion under the North Portico. The exposed rooms in the foreground were dug out in the 1930s for storage, but were replaced by larger rooms that today house the gardening staff and the bowling alley. This work was part of President Harry S. Truman's large-scale 1948-1952 renovation of the White House.
  • Truman Renovation, Rose Garden
    Abbie Rowe
    South Grounds
    Rose Garden
    Residence staff
    staff
    This photograph by Abbie Rowe of the National Park Service shows gardeners replacing boxwood hedges in the Rose Garden following the Truman Renovation.
  • East Garden
    Abbie Rowe
    Jacqueline Kennedy Garden
    This photograph by Abbie Rowe of the National Park Service shows a demolished East Garden during the Truman Renovation. The East Garden is now called the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden.
  • Truman Renovation, South Grounds
    Abbie Rowe
    renovation
    South Grounds
    This photograph taken by Abbie Rowe of the National Park Service shows construction buildings on the White House South Grounds.
  • Rose Garden
    Abbie Rowe
    Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.
    Rose Garden
    South Grounds
    This photograph was taken by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., and shows First Lady Ellen Wilson's rose garden as it appeared in 1935.
  • Truman Renovation, South Portico
    Abbie Rowe
    renovation
    South Portico
    South Grounds
    This photograph taken by Abbie Rowe of the National Park Service shows a south view of the White House during the Truman renovation.
  • Awnings and Shades on the South Portico
    Abbie Rowe
    White House
    south view
    This black and white photograph by Abbie Rowe for the National Park Service of the South Portico shows the awnings that circled the lower floor of the portico extended to block the sunlight. The photograph is from 1947, during the administration of President Harry S. Truman, but before the Truman balcony was added to the portico in 1948.