Figure 1.--For most of the 19th century and early-20th centuries, the President and his family in the White House enjoyed adjacent green houses. Andrew Jackson was responsible for the first greenhouse, an orangery (1833). It proved so popular that it was moved adjoin the White House (1856). It opened off the west end of the main hall. It burned down (1867). It was so popular, however, that a larger structure was built. Over the remainder of the 19th century it was expanded into a major greenhouse complex. There were orchid rooms, cactus rooms, a rose garden, many camellias, seasonal flowers, and the citrus trees that President Jackson first introduced. The tropical room was placed next to the White House which is what you see here. No first family got more pleasure out of these facilities than any first family. The Roosevelts like the Lincon boys were know for their menagerie of pets. Here the artist's wonderful recreation depicts Kermit Roosevelt, the President's second youngest son, playing with his blue macaw -- Eli Yale. Kermit is holding his cat, Tom Quartz. His mother Edith Roosevelt is look on from the open door into the White House. Artist: Peter Waddell. |
