The Andrew Johnson Suite

The restored Andrew Johnson suite

In 1864, the Treasury Secretary's office was relocated to a suite overlooking the White House. This second suite of rooms, called the Andrew Johnson Suite, has also been restored. In 1865, when President Lincoln was assassinated, the reception room in this suite was pressed into service as a temporary office for the new president, Andrew Johnson.

Today the rooms look much the same as when President Johnson was here. The restoration was aided by the discovery of the original invoices for its furniture, purchased in 1864.

Historic engravings of the rooms, published in Frank Leslie's Illustrated News, were invaluable in determining carpet patterns, furniture arrangement and style of lighting fixtures. The walnut window cornices, featuring gilded Treasury seals and cornucopias filled with coins have been faithfully recreated for the rooms. The sofa which appears in an 1865 engraving of the room is part of the historic Treasury furniture collection. The statue of Andrew Jackson on the table is a miniature of the one found in Lafayette Square.

The blue room where the Secretary had his private office has also been furnished in 19th century pieces. The mantel in the office is ornamented with Treasury symbols.