National Park Service

Two unidentified men stand in what remains of the second floor Oval Study above the Blue Room. The north wall and part of the floor have been removed for the installation of steel shoring columns.

Close up of the "Buffalo Mantel" and portrait of Abraham Lincoln in the State Dining Room, as they appeared in February 1948. The mantel, installed originally in 1902, was removed during the renovation of 1949-1952, because the architects believed it was not in keeping with the original design of the White House. The Buffalo Mantel is now in the collection of the Harry S. Truman Library. From an album of Abbie Rowe photographs of the White House, prior to the 1949 renovation.

President Harry S. Truman announcing the surrender of Japan, ending World War II, to assembled reporters in the Oval Office. Journalist Vivianne Lovell of Agence France-Presse stands in the striped dress on the left. Seated behind President Truman are John Snyder, Admiral William D. Leahy, and Secretary of State James Byrnes.

View to the northeast showing the newly renovated main entrance hall of the White House.

Photo of the Red Room, from an album of photographs by Abbie Rowe of the White House prior to the 1949 renovation.

Dwarfed by the massive steel beams and supporting structures, a worker inspects the new elevator well in the sub-basement of the White House.

Northeast view of the second floor from the Monroe Room. The large wooden joist, above the ceiling and across the entire length of the East Room, dates from 1915-1818. The iron joists were installed in 1902.

View of south front of the White House and a storage building housing special exhibits during renovations. Taken during a visit by members of the Institute of Architects during a convention in Washington, D. C.

View in south side of basement showing insulation around air-conditioning ducts during the White House renovation.

To underscore the size of the massive new ventilation system being installed above the tunnel in the new White House basement, the photographer placed workmen inside the illuminated ductwork. All are unidentified.