The President's Park consists of The White House, Lafayette Square and The Ellipse.

The White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, was originally constructed from 1792-1800, the work of James Hoban. It was reconstructed in 1815 after being burned by British soldiers during the War of 1812. It has been the home of every president of the United States since John Adams. The exterior of the main structure, despite some additions and minor changes, remains much as it was in 1800. The interior has been completely renovated using the historic floor plan. It is significant for its Federal architecture, as a symbol of the presidency, and for the important decisions made within its walls over the years.

This 52 acre park was first planned in 1791, and was used during the Civil War as the camp sites for Union Troops and corrals for horses, mules and cattle. The park was finally landscaped in 1879, and by 1894 the sidewalks were lighted walkways. Several of Washington's major annual events are featured here each year.

Lafayette Square was laid out in the 1790s by Pierre Charles L'Enfant, the Parisian architect of the city, who worked with President George Washington to locate sites for the principal federal government buildings. The Square came into being as part of the White House grounds, the site having been selected personally by Washington. It was not separated from the White House grounds until the presidency of Thomas Jefferson when Pennsylvania Avenue was opened directly in front of the President's mansion, severing the Square from the White House. It had been referred to as the lobby of the President's House and later was called the President's Park. A few years after Lafayette's final visit to this country in 1824, it was named officially for him.

As the oldest Federal preservation program, the Historic Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record, HABS/HAER produces graphic and written documentation of historically significant architectural, engineering and industrial sites and structures. Dating from 1934, HABS was chartered to document historic architecture of national or regional significance. The Library of Congress preserves the records, and makes them available for study, and supplies reproductions on request. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a co-sponsor of the HABS program.

Similarly, in 1969, recognizing the fragility and unique nature of America's industrial and engineering heritage, the National Park Service, the Library of Congress and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) established the Historic American Engineering record (HAER) to document significant engineering and industrial sites.

Medium : Measured Drawings

Created/Published : 1993

Creator : Historic American Building Survey

Forms part of the Historic American Building Survey-Historic American Engineering Survey. Housed in the Prints and Photographic Division of the Library of Congress

Availability: Usually ships in one week

Product #: HABSPresPark001