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About the Author:
Wayne Smith is a lifelong collector with a passion for history and
research. He holds a U.S. History degree from the University of Maryland
and is the author of White House Renovation Souvenirs and
WhiteHouseRelics.com. He has spent decades collecting, documenting,
and writing on various topics of collecting.

Sources:

Commission on Renovation of the Executive Mansion, Minutes of Commission Meetings,
1949-1952, Record Group 220, National Archives, College Park, Maryland.

Douglas Orr, “5th and Final Report to 81st Congress”, June 30, 1952, 5, Record Group 220,
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library, Independence, Missouri.

Edwin Bateman Morris, Report of the Commission on the Renovation of the Executive
Mansion (Washington, D.C., 1952)
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Greenhouse was rebuilt in 1951
using some of the excess original White House bricks. About 95,000 were Press Release, “White House Mementos”, January 13, 1951, Box 13, Record Group 220,
donated by the Commission on the Renovation of the Executive Mansion National Archives, College Park, Maryland.

for the project which has been enjoyed by millions of visitors over the years. Wayne Smith, White House Renovation Souvenirs: Souvenirs, Relics and Mementos of
the President’s House (Woodsboro, Maryland: Glade Valley History Press, 2022)

Where to Gather Information White House History, (Washington, D.C.: White House Historical Association, Numbers 1-
60) 1983 – 2020. WhiteHouseHistory.org.
There are many excellent books and articles published dealing with
the history of the White House. The publications of the White House WhiteHouseRelics.com.

Historical Association are among the most authoritative sources of this White House Timber, National Lumber Manufacturers Association (Washington, D.C.)
general history. The only book, however, on the subject of collecting 1927.

these relics and souvenirs of the White House is, White House William Seale, The President’s House 2 vols. (Washington, D.C.: White House Historical
Renovation Souvenirs. Recently published, it is a valuable, comprehensive Association, 1986)

source of background history showing hundreds of photos of pieces in White House Roof, 112 Years Old, Cut Up For Souvenirs, Wilkes-Barre Time Leader the
collections around the country. Evening News (Wilkes-Barre, PA) Mar. 24, 1928

White House collectors are an interesting group. Most love history Judge Dixon Has Gavel Made Out of Wood from White House, Dixon Evening
Telegraph (Dixon, IL) Jan. 2, 1951 page 6.
and are passionate about preserving it. Many crossover fields are
represented, including Americana relic collectors, Civil War collectors, Buchanan, Lincoln Are Chips Off Old White House Block, Sunday News (Lancaster, PA)
Lincoln collectors, as well as Political collectors. Almost anyone with an June 10, 1951 page 21.

interest in history and a penchant for collecting could easily transition White House Bricks Given Scouts From Free Nations, Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, PA)
to this growing field. The personal satisfaction of owning an original Aug. 6, 1951 page 22.

part of the most historic residence in the country, if not the world, is a Lincoln Club Talk Marks Birthday of Emancipator, The Morning News (Wilmington,
great incentive for beginning a new and wonderful collection. DE) Feb. 13, 1952 pages 1,4.
WHITE HOUSE RENOVATION SOUVENIRS:

Souvenirs, Relics, and Mementos of the President’s Home

Written by Wayne Smith Along with a detailed renovation history of the White House are
Published May 1, 2022 hundreds of photographs of relics and souvenirs—actual pieces from
202 pages, 300+ photos this historic house—that were saved during these construction projects
Available at: and shared with their details and documentation. White House
www.whitehouserelics.com Renovation Souvenirs is not intended as a price guide but rather to show
some of the unique pieces that have survived and the stories they tell.
While many collect White
House souvenirs and Presidential Wayne Smith is a long-
memorabilia not much has been time collector with a passion
written about items that came for research. He has spent
from the house, itself. decades collecting, document-
As noted by author Wayne ing and writing articles in
Smith in his newest book White antiques and collector publi-
House Renovation Souvenirs, over cations and is also the author
the two centuries since the White of “Ice Cream Dippers,” trac-
House was first occupied by John ing the historical evolution of
Adams in 1800, the building has the ice cream scoop, still con-
undergone numerous changes sidered by many collectors as
and improvements. Many of the the standard in the field.
souvenirs and pieces in collections and museums have originated, for the Wayne believes that everyone,
most part, from the three major renovations. In 1902, Teddy Roosevelt especially the younger genera-
remodeled the whole ground level to update and “modernize” it. tion, would have a deeper
President Coolidge replaced the roof and added to the third floor in appreciation of history if they
1927, and in the early 1950s, Harry Truman completely gutted and had an opportunity to own or
rebuilt the White House to correct major structural safety issues. be able to hold a small piece of
Gavels, canes, boxes, bricks, nails, and other amazing souvenirs made history in their hands.
with this material that came from renovations made on this historic For more information on
home over the past two centuries have found their way into private this resource, in-depth infor-
collections and museums around the country. White House Renovation mation with enlarged photos, and links to see relics and other historic
Souvenirs tells their stories as a comprehensive and long-awaited resource items for sale, visit www.whitehouserelics.com
for collectors of White House relics and souvenirs.
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