Important renovations have taken place multiple times at the White House since it was rebuilt in 1817 following its burning by British troops in the War of 1812.
That includes the building of an "east terrace" in 1902 (the same year President Theodore Roosevelt built the West Wing), wheelchair ramps and elevators in 1933 (which President Franklin D. Roosevelt needed for his polio-induced paralysis), and the formal two-story East Wing added in 1941–1942, partly to hide the new underground bunker added due to World War II.
First lady Jacqueline Kennedy also led a historical restoration in 1961, furnishing the rooms with museum-quality antiques representing various periods of American history.
Despite these and other historical precedents, the sight of a significant portion of the White House being demolished this week has surprised many.
