JAMIE’S PLACE FOR STUFF

A Stroll Though Memory, Time and Politics With Stops Along The Way

  • Take Care of This House

    Large neoclassical estate under construction with workers and soldiers

    At the Time Abigail Adams moved into what was then called The Executive Mansion in 1800, it was only half finished. Over the years there would be changes.

    The White House in a historic black and white photograph with a horse-drawn carriage and two people standing near the front
    .

    The British burned it in 1814 when James and Dolly Madison were in residence. Reconstruction began immediately under the direction of James Hoban. In 1817 James Monroe added the South Portico.

    1829: President Andrew Jackson oversaw the addition of the North Portico and in 1902: President Theodore Roosevelt initiated a major interior and exterior renovation. He relocated the presidential offices from the main residence to a new, temporary structure, officially establishing the West Wing.

    Historic view of the White House exterior with horse-drawn carriages and people walking nearby

    1942: President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized an addition to the West Wing which saw the construction of an underground bunker during WW II over which the East Wing would rise, but from 1948 to 1952 following the discovery of severe structural decay, President Harry S. Truman initiated a complete gutting and rebuilding of the interior, preserving only the outer stone walls. This led to the image of the modern White House as we knew it with both East and West wings and the Truman balcony.

    The White House with American flag flying, surrounded by gardens and trees
    A grand view of the White House framed by lush greenery and blue skies

    And then along came Trump who without permission and plans and with his grandiose idea of a gold encrusted tacky ballroom to rise higher than the main building destroying .

    This might be a good time to remember a failed musical

    1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by Leonard Bernstein and Alan Jay Lerner. The concept was the various residents: Presidents, First Ladies and servants singing of their hopes and dreams for the house and the nation. One of the best was Abigail Adams standing the midst of first building: Take Care of This House. We would do well to think about the lyrics. The House will recover and rise with all its hopes and dreams. May the nation do the same.

    Take Care of This House

    Take care of this house. Keep it from harm.
    If bandits break in, sound the alarm

    Care for this house. Shine it by hand
    And keep it so clean, The glow can be seen
    All over the land

    Be careful at night. Check all the doors
    If someone makes off with a dream
    The dream will be yours


    Take care of this house Be always on call
    For this house Is the hope of us all
    Care for this house Shine it by hand
    And keep it so clean The glow can be seen
    All over the land

    Be careful at night Check all the doors
    If someone makes off with a dream
    The dream will be yours

    Take care of this house Be always on call
    Care for this house
    It’s the hope of us all

About Me

Retired great grandmother living in Washington. Former radio Public Service Director and National Accounts Manager.

I’m a hair-dishevelled heilan’ coo,
Hamish McKay be ma name;
Welcome tae this dreichet glen
I’m cursed tae ca’ ma hame.
Depending on the mood I’m in
I’ll raise ma horns on high,
An’ if I like the look o’ ye
I’ll likely let ye by.
But should I dinnae like the look
O’ ye, then tak great care,
I’ll raise ma horns on high again,
Go on, get oot o’there!
So whether welcome yae or nae,
I’ll raise these horns sae mean,
Then ye shall ken ma meaning
By the twinkle o’ ma een.

Courtesy of
MARION GRAY Wollaton Road Wollaton Park Nottingham

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