Changes to the White House: 1830-1952

Today, there is a stone engraving on the floor of the White House Entrance Hall, which includes the dates of the four major instances of White House construction and renovation: 1792, 1817, 1902, and 1952. 1792 represents the year that construction began on the White House. 1817 marks the completion of the White House rebuild following the fire on August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812. 1902 commemorates President Theodore Roosevelt’s renovation that modernized the White House and established the West Wing as the new executive office for the president and their staff. Finally, 1952 marks the completion of President Harry Truman’s renovation, an extensive structural rebuild. Explore the major expansions and renovations of the White House between 1830 and 1952—including the Roosevelt and Truman Renovations—as the structure of the building changed to meet the evolving needs of the president, the first family, and staff.