History, Tradition, and Innovation Elaine Homstad, MG, FCMGA November 23, 2009

White House view from the Washington Monument The official designation of the White House grounds and surrounding areas Eighty-two acres Established in 1791 Includes Lafayette Park and the Ellipse Actual “White House” grounds are approximately 18 acres and contained by iron fencing

White House was first occupied in 1800 by John Adams Terrain was that of farmland and wilderness By 1860, grounds became smaller with the expansion of the Treasury Building By 1900, the marsh in the southern area was drained and filled in Present – Pennsylvania Avenue closed to traffic, but same since 1990s

John Adams, practical and pragmatic, wanted a vegetable garden to help feed the White House’s many guests Election of Thomas Jefferson changed those plans Jefferson, an avid gardener, enclosed the grounds (then about eight acres) and proceeded to clean them up and plant many native trees OAKSYCAMOREPOPLAR CEDARCHESTNUTHICKORY Jefferson planted formal gardens and designed an orangery He also ordered that trees be planted on all major DC streets

In 1814, the White House and grounds were burned by the British

After the White House was rebuilt and was ready for occupancy in 1818, James Monroe commissioned landscape architect Charles Bizet to refurbish the ruined grounds and began replanting trees John Quincy Adams replaced Bizet in 1825 with John Ousley, who remained the White House gardener for the next thirty years White House circa 1833 DC Phone Directory

Adams had flower beds and trees planted Andrew Jackson continued the restoration with formal gardens, lawns, and well-tended paths through the gardens Flowers included foxgloves, sweet william, dragonhead and daisies Trees included maples, oaks, lindens, elms, sycamores and chestnuts

Hothouse had been originally envisioned by Jefferson Was rebuilt in 1835 and used extensively until 1857 Was then replaced by large greenhouses Fresh flowers began to be used in the White House in the late 1850s Wax flowers had previously been used Greenhouses were used to cultivate most of the fresh flowers and large indoor and outdoor plants used in and around the White House

The Conservatory was often used to host visiting dignitaries, and served as a family gathering place Kiowa and Cherokee Indian Leaders 1863 Alice Roosevelt 1902

By the early 1900s, the Conservatory was greatly diminished in size, and many plants were lost It was replaced in 1903 by a simple greenhouse on the present site of the Smithsonian’s American History Museum The current greenhouse is located near the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Development of the outdoor gardens began in earnest after the remodeling of the White House in 1902 by Theodore Roosevelt First ladies took on very active roles in the gardens – a reversal from previous times The original Rose Garden (the West Garden) was planted by Edith Wilson She engaged landscape designers and architects George Burnap and Beatrix Farrand (who also designed Dumbarton Oaks) The design of 1913 stays much the same today

To cut groundskeeping costs during World War I, President Woodrow Wilson ( ) brought a flock of sheep to trim the White House grounds.

North Lawn South Lawn Rose (West) Garden Edith Wilson – 1913 White House Grounds Franklin D. Roosevelt hires Frederick Law Olmstead – 1935 Kennedy (East) Garden Jackie Kennedy & Lady Bird Johnson Children’s Garden Lady Bird Johnson – 1969 Swimming Pool Gerald Ford – 1975 Herb Garden Jimmy Carter Kitchen Garden Eleanor Roosevelt Michele Obama – 2009

1903 Rose Garden

1908 Rose Garden

1913 Rose Garden

1917 Rose Garden

1921 Rose Garden

1923 Rose Garden

The West Wing and the Rose Garden

2009 Rose Garden

The garden most used for formal Presidential appearances, ceremonies or meetings Has been the site of many outdoor parties, and a wedding Has also served as a First Family gathering place for many Presidential families

Tricia Nixon’s Wedding Cinco de Mayo Event

The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden Pergola in the East Garden

Trees have always been an important part of the White House grounds Today, the 18 fenced acres hold over 500 trees Many of the Presidents have had trees planted to commemorate specific events, or a symbols of their time in office Trees on the grounds include many natives, and other varieties as well OaksLinden ElmsMaples MagnoliasAsh American HolliesDogwoods CedarsTulip Poplars JunipersSpruce Hickoryand many others

The Annual Easter Egg Roll Helicopter Lands on South Lawn

The National Christmas Tree was first planted on the Ellipse in 1978 – it is decorated and lighted every holiday season

Tours were begun in 1972 by Pat Nixon Spring and Fall tours are given in April and October Check the White House Web Site for more information on dates and times:

The White House Historical Association The White House Garden by William Seale m Gardens.pdf