45th President of the United States, Donald Trump, is unlikely to find the White House in anything other than tip-top condition. However, things weren't quite the same when the 33rd President of the United States, Harry S. Truman, moved into the residence in 1945. To his surprise and dismay, it 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, 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.
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 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.
January 3, 1950: A second floor corridor.
Nostalgia in 4K: Fats Domino's 'Ain't That a Shame’
Experience the timeless musical magic of the legendary Fats Domino in stunning 4K resolution!
The Oval Office Through the Years
Watch how every president chose to redecorate the Oval Office.
Joke: I Didn't Know That Divine Intervention Happens
When a tradesman named Jack begins to pain the inside of a church, he didn't know know that divine intervention would occur...
Who's This Atypical Guest on "What's My Line?"
Enjoy this short excerpt of a well-known peculiar artist on the TV show "What's My Line?"
There is a Mystery Behind These Beautiful Vintage Photos
These vintage photos from 1950s Switzerland and Italy are beautiful and they have a mysterious story behind them
17 Humorous Vintage Photos That Will Make You Laugh
Enjoy this collection of vintage street photos of France during the 1950s by René Maltête.
Incredible! A Glimpse Into What Ancient Rome Looked Like
This video depicts a 3D rendering of what Rome looked like in 320AD.
Can You Believe Someone Actually Built These? Amazing!
These architects created something a bit difference...
Simply Majestic! 14 Vivid and Vital Wild Animal Photos
Capturing the personality of wild animals on film is a challenging task, but these 14 photos prove that it's possible and worth it!
These Underwater Photos Are Bound to Leave You in Awe!
Check out some of the most outstanding entries from 2018's Underwater Photographer of the Year contest. which will make you wonder just how many other wonders and horrors are lurking deep beneath the surface of the ocean.
In Pictures: Different Cultures, Different Childhoods
Photographer Massimo Bietti captures the innocence of children from all parts of our world through his lens.
These Homeowners Take Interior Decorating to Another Level
Everyone decorates in their own way. These homeowners have let their imaginations go wild with surreal interiors unlike anything you've ever seen.
Australian Wildlife is Extreme. Birds Are No Exception
No other country has astounding wildlife quite like Australia. You can be sure their birds aren't any different!
Could You Imagine Waking Up to These Rooms with a View?
Wouldn't you love to own a room with a view like this?
These Stunning Bridges Are Definitely Worth a Visit
There is no doubt that bridges add a special flair to their locations. Here are 10 of the world's most beautiful bridges!
Amsterdam 100 Years Ago: Incredible Old Photos!
Have a look at some of George Hendrik Breitner's photography, which captures Amsterdam as it was in the late 19th Century and the early 1900s.
Learn About Photography's History Through These Old Photos
In celebration of the incredible history of photography, here are 12 outstanding photographic 'firsts' that span the last couple of centuries.
14 Unforgettable Marine Photos From 2022
Peek into this mysterious and unknown marine world through these award-winning photos!
Showy Art Deco Architecture Reimagined in Modern Buildings
Art deco is the classic style characteristic of New York City architecture. This gorgeous style is having a resurgence, here are 5 examples
Now This is What Photography is All About...
Each of these photos tells a beautiful story...
These Incredible Photos Will Take Your Breath Away!
Enjoy some of the most spectacular photos from the Smithsonian Magazine's 15th annual contest.
These Photos Will Undoubtedly Make Your Eyes Go Crazy
Some photos make you do a double-take, but the 24 you're about to see will make your eyes go crazy!
Collection: The World's Most Unique Buildings
This collection includes advanced buildings of the future, stunning old structures, and some of the tallest buildings in the world
I Miss Photographers Like This One...
Ran Maltet was a French photographer and poet, who died a decade ago. He had what seemed to be a natural talent to seize upon these split seconds of comedy and philosophy, and capture them on camera.
A Tiny Bit of Kindness Can Go an Awful Long Way in Life!
A small act of kindness, as these photos prove, can go an awful long way.
This Artist Wanted to See What's in Your Fridge...
This fascinating photography project reveals what's in the fridges of different people around the world and what can we can learn from them about their owners.
A 100 Year Old Window to Another New York City
These beautiful and educational late 19th and early 20th century photos of New York City were released recently by the NYC municipal archives...
These Stunning Bird Photos are All Award Winners
Bird photos make for some of the most beautiful pictures possible, and these are the very best of these.
The Greatest Wonders of Japanese Architecture
We invite you to explore the finest examples of buildings in Japan - starting with traditional temples to the newest of the new.
These People Undoubtedly Have Talent by the Boatload
There's so much talent in the world that it's occasionally hard to fathom. Nevertheless, here are 20 photos that show just how talented people really are.
These Vintage Photos Shed Light on Life in the Early 1900s
Get a glimpse of life back in the early 1900s.
2022 Wrap-Up: Trends in Interior Design and Architecture
We're wrapping up 2022's hottest trends in architecture, construction, and interior design. Jump in for inspiration!
20 Stunning Photos of Women in the Most Gorgeous Dresses!
Get ready to appreciate a showcase of the most outstanding pieces of fashion along with some of the most picturesque locations on the planet. Enjoy!
These Images Are Among the Most Powerful Ever Seen
Images can provoke great thought and institute great changes through their power, and these 10 are no exception. Take a look at these powerful images.
14 Wonderful Moments Scientists Have Documented with a Lens
Behind each of these 14 images is a fascinating story that makes them even more powerful...
These Photos Bring to Life the Most Beautiful Reflections
These photographs are really spectacular. The conditions were exactly right for the photographers to capture these images. Enjoy the stillness here.
We’re Confident These Panoramic Pictures Will Amaze You...
For the past 9 years, EPSON has held an amazing panorama photography contest around the world, and now you can see the 17 photos that made it to the finals!
22 Rare and Beautifully Colorized Historical Photos
Looking through these meticulously colorized photos, most of which were taken during the two World Wars, is a unique and moving experience.
I've Never Seen Such Fascinating & Moving Photos Before!
Get ready to have a look at some of the most touching and fascinating sights you've ever seen!
Amazing Re-Touched Photos of England Back in the Old Days
1920s England was the not tremendously jolly, civilized and the most important nation in world politics. These colored photos will show you what it was like.
12 Vintage Tools That Have Stood The Test of Time
Here is a collection of some really old vintage household items that are amazingly still working properly.
A Timeline of Architectural Styles Throughout History
Take a tour of all the major architectural styles of the past two millennia - from the first Greek temples to the latest building projects.
These Photos Show the Hustle and Bustle of a WWII Shipyard
Old photos from the war remind us of the effort undertaken by our forefathers to secure our future. Take a look at the hustle and bustle of a wartime shipyard.
This Showstopping Senior Couple Steals the Show Every Day
'In old age, life just begins' is definitely the motto for this elderly couple who are Berlin's fashion icons and social stars
Taj Falaknuma Palace: The Most Opulent Oriental Beauty
Taj Falaknuma Palace is one of the most fabulous gems in all of India, with plenty of fascinating stories to tell from the age of the British Empire.
50 Years This Man Built and Built.. And Here's the Result!
This cathedral is slowly being built by an amazing 90 year old man, using discarded waste. Read on to here this inspiring story, and see a glorious church.