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White House Renovations: Truman’s Overhaul & FDR’s Secret Upgrades
1. Truman’s Renovation (1949-1952): Before & After
📸 Before (1948):
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Crumbling Structure: Termite-eaten wooden beams, sagging floors (Margaret Truman’s piano nearly fell through!).
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Dangerous Wiring: Outdated electrical systems wrapped in flammable cloth.
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Peeling Facade: The exterior looked intact, but inside was a ticking time bomb.
📸 After (1952):
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Steel Skeleton: Hidden behind rebuilt walls, preventing collapse.
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Modern Touches: Added air conditioning, nuclear shelter, and the now-iconic Truman Balcony.
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Replica Elegance: Most “historic” moldings were painstakingly recreated—the originals were too damaged.
Fun Fact: Truman only slept one night in the renovated White House before leaving office!
2. FDR’s Secret Wheelchair-Accessible Upgrades
Despite public efforts to hide his polio disability, FDR quietly modified the White House:
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Hidden Ramps: Disguised as gentle slopes in the greenhouse and gardens.
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Hand-Operated Elevator: Installed in 1933 (still used today).
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No Photography Rule: Press was forbidden from filming FDR being carried or using his wheelchair.
Irony: Truman’s team removed some of FDR’s adaptations, assuming they were temporary.
Want to See More?
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Jackie Kennedy’s 1960s Restoration: How she saved historic treasures (and added a kitchen for TV chefs!).
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Lincoln’s “Haunted” White House: The eerie happenings during his presidency.
Let me know which era you’d like to explore next! 🏛️👻
(Note: Actual photos available via White House Historical Association.)
