Monday, April 25, 2016 3:41 PM

Subject: A Bit Of Relatively Unknown History–  President Truman

I hope you find this as fascinating as I did—quite a remarkable feat—we owe this Missourian a debt of gratitude for sure!

This is all new information to me, and I found it quite interesting. This White House renovation took place in 22 months and was so extensive that it literally “gutted” the original structure. Truman truly understood the significance of this centerpiece of our country – unlike many others following – and actually resided outside the White House for 22 months so the work could be accomplished. That it was accomplished for just $5.4 million is simply amazing.

The 33rd President of the United States , Harry S. Truman, moved into the White House in 1945. To his surprise and dismay, the house had serious problems. Not only was it drafty and creaky, it was downright unsafe.  Chandeliers in the house were observed swaying for  no apparent reason, and floors moved underneath people’s feet when stepped on.

All of the above resulted in a structural investigation being conducted on the building, revealing haphazard retrofitting, fire hazards and a second floor that was on the verge of collapsing. What’s more is that the White House’s foundations were sinking, walls were
peeling away and disused water and gas pipes were weighing down the building and making it unsustainable.

The situation was so bad that, in June 1948, one of the legs of First Daughter Margaret Truman’s piano fell right through a floorboard of her second-floor sitting room. This event, along with others,made the Presidential family and its aides realize that serious measures were required to save the historic building.  May 17, 1950: Bulldozers move earth around inside the gutted shell of the White House

Take a Look at the White House In Shell Form… Literally In 1949, Congress approved a $5.4 million project to gut the building in its entirety, replacing its interior while retaining its historic facade. Architects, engineers, and workers toiled for the next 22 months, trying to figure out how to remove unstable structural elements while somehow ensuring the while the exterior of the building remained intact All of the construction equipment used on the site had to be carried inside in pieces, then re-assembled before being used in order to prevent exterior damage. The first and second floors were replaced, while several expansions and basement levels were added, including a bomb shelter that was capable of withstanding a nuclear attack.

President Truman and his family returned to reside in the White House in 1952, with a

small ceremony marking the occasion. The First Family received a gold key to its newly-

refurbished residence.

All Images are Copyright © The National Archives. Content Source: Mashable

kommonsentsjane
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