BOOK: THE WHITE HOUSE GARDEN
Item Number: 177
Time Left: CLOSED
Description
New in shrink wrapping hardcover book: THE WHITE HOUSE GARDEN by William Seale.
From Library Journal
According to this fascinating history, the White House and surrounding Presidential Park have undergone tremendous change since 1791, when George Washington commissioned a plan for the new capitol from Pierre L'Enfant. Jefferson was the first president to attempt significant improvements to the grounds (he enclosed a front yard with a rail fence and planted trees), but the rest of the park was rented out to sheep and cattle herders for grazing. Author Seale, who has served as White House historian for the White House Historical Association, traces the evolution of the White House landscape, noting which features still remain, such as magnolias planted by Andrew Jackson. The history of the gardens frequently reflects the changing social roles of the First Family. Julia Grant, for example, took advantage of the hothouse built by Jackson to send bouquets to VIPs in lieu of the time-consuming social calling practiced by first ladies since 1809. This book will also interest students of public landscape design, as many prominent designers contributed to the White House landscape of today. Recommended for most gardening collections.?Beth Clewis Crim, Prince William P.L., Va.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
The not-for-profit White House Historical Association presents a 200-year history of the White House garden. The "President's Park," established in 1791, is the official designation of the 82 acres surrounding the executive mansion. The space includes Lafayette Park on the north and the Ellipse on the south, both public areas. The immediate grounds of the White House are a smaller part of the park, contained within an iron fence. Seale, a historian, fills the book with engaging details; for instance, John Quincy Adams loved to work in the garden, many trees and flower beds were planted during President Jackson's term, the first greenhouses were constructed in the 1850s, and Woodrow Wilson's first wife planted a rose garden in 1913 on the site of the present one. The text is lively and informative; the finished book will have 97 color photographs and 30 historic black-and-white ones. George Cohen --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Product Details
- Hardcover: 128 pages
- Publisher: Sewall Company (June 1995)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0912308699
- ISBN-13: 978-0912308692
- Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
Donated by
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