Watch this informal survey taken at the gates of
The White House...
The White House has come to represent much more than the official residence of the President and his family. Construction of this Georgian style building began in 1792 by Architect James Hoban and was completed in 1800. His plan for the White House was inspired by the Irish country houses he was surrounded by and is typical of English and Irish architectural styles. Hoban's idea was chosen out of nine submitted proposals for what was to become the White House. It its constructed of white painted Aquia sandstone and has been the home of every president since John Adams. The building has its own rich history, having survived two fires, multiple additions and expansions over the years and restoration projects in an attempt to capture the history of the building
We did not visit the White House formally as a group, although I have seen it in the past and of course on T.V. and movies several times. I tend to place this house on a pedastal, as I placed it directly across from the Lincoln Memorial on my mental map of Washington as we took the train towards the city. Now that we spent 4 intensive and informative days in D.C., I have more buildings, memorials and other prominent places in my mental map that I was not even visually aware of before.
ReplyDeleteAlthough we were not able to make a group trip to the White House as part of our course, it is clear that this resonates as one of the most symbolic monuments for our country. For many people, it can be seen as the most important building in the country because of its relationship to the President and the power he possesses as the executive of the United States. After an informal survey, many people responded that the White House is the first thing they associate with Washington D.C. and the most important building to them in the city. The White House is a recognized symbol in politcal cartoons, the media, and even to children both at home and abroad. Its image is associated with private moments shared by the First Family, meetings with dignitaries and heads of state, inagurations and funerals. It has also served as a backdrop for many historical events and announcements. For the American people, I think that the meaning and importance of this building continues to evolve over time. As a private residence for the President, we are reminded that it is a home. As the site of the Oval Office, it serves as a source of political power. On a historical level, it is a museum and a public place in which ordinary people are allowed to roam the halls and grounds to soak in the history of our country and the individuals who have served as President of our country.
ReplyDeleteThe White House for me is ever changing in meaning. Each administration defines the White House and how the world and the American public view it. The sitting President can make it an open space or a closed environ. Depending on who inhabits the space changes its meaning, which I think is unique in the world of monuments. We don't see that kind of change at the Lincoln memorial or even the Capitol or the Surpeme Court.
ReplyDeleteIn the past administration, the White House was for me a representation of the ills of the American government, the seat of evil (and I am not being over dramatic here.) Now, once again, the White House feels pure, feels like it is serving its purpose, serving the American people, and representing us to the world in a positive light.
It is a testament to the building's importance in the American psyche that the waiting list to get in just to visit the White House is 6-8 months long.
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ReplyDeleteThe first thing that comes to mind when I think of the white house is the oval house and I picture the various presidents that have seat in that room. I see FDR giving a fireside chat, JFK on the phone while John-John plays underneath the table, LBJ stating that he would not be seeking reelection, Nixon resigning to Bush senior declaring war on Iraq. I think of the oval house because here you have an interesting instant where the public and private spheres combine where you have the president reaching out to us from his home and giving us a message as to the state of the nation. The meaning of the site just like all the others in D.C. is ever changing like Michael stated. Depending on who is in office our view of the white house changes.
ReplyDeleteWhen it came to the question, "Is the national identity modified when a site is used by people?" this place sticks out most for me. It is most definitely modified! Although we did not visit the White House, for me (like Michael said) it changes the most. Not only because of the President's political party and policies but also because each President has such a distinct and unique personal life (children, no children, pets, no pets, married, widowed). Whenever I think of the White House I also wonder about the President's personal life and the relationships we don't get to see as citizens.
ReplyDeleteThe White House, it seems to me, is both the most public of American monuments (in the sense that it is what so many Americans -- including me -- first think of when they think of "government" or "Washington, DC") and the most private (in both the sense that, as a private residence of the President, so much of what happens inside is not made public, and also that security is so tight that it is difficult to visit; clearly these two are interrelated).
ReplyDeleteIt is fascinating to me to think about the relationships between the Constitution, government buildings as they were constructed, and how they are viewed today. The President and by extention the White House are, I think, are most people's strongest association with government, at least at the federal level. And yet, the founders were so anxious about having a strong executive that the first government was created without one.
But the White House doesn't look so different to me from Buckingham Palace.