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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.