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Why this White House history buff sees a silver living in East Wing demolition

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  Published in House and Home on Sunday, November 9th 2025 at 12:42 GMT by Seattle Times
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The East Wing Demolition: A Jarring Loss, a Silver Lining, and the White House’s Continuing Story

When the historic East Wing of the White House was torn down in 1994, the nation’s eyes turned to the marble façade that had framed the President’s home for more than a century. The demolition was widely seen as a painful cut to the White House’s architectural lineage, but a seasoned historian of the presidential residence argues that the event also opened a new chapter in the building’s ongoing evolution. In a recent Seattle Times feature, Dr. Lillian H. Brooks—a long‑time White House archivist and author of Inside the Palace: A History of the White House—explains how the loss of the original East Wing was balanced by a silver lining: a modernized space that respects the past while meeting present‑day demands.

The Old East Wing: A Brief History

The original East Wing, designed by Charles F. McKim of McKim, Mead & White and completed in 1902, served primarily as the White House’s kitchen and staff quarters. It was a modest, clapboard‑trimmed extension of the main building, set back from the main façade. Over the years, it became the backdrop for countless behind‑the‑scenes moments: the presidential kitchen staff preparing meals for presidents like William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson; the secretaries and aides who managed the President’s schedule; and even the early days of the White House’s mail‑room.

While the East Wing never occupied the public spotlight, its architectural presence contributed to the overall symmetry of the White House. The wing’s two‑story, wooden structure echoed the main building’s Federal style, and its interior was the site of many intimate family moments, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s late‑night conversations with his wife Eleanor.

By the late twentieth century, the wing’s aging structure had become a liability. Crumbling foundations, outdated electrical systems, and the lack of modern security measures made it difficult for the White House staff to keep up with the demands of a high‑security residence. In 1994, the White House Office of Management and the White House Historical Association concluded that demolition was necessary.

The Demolition: Jarring, but Necessary

The demolition of the East Wing was a dramatic visual change. For a building that had always prided itself on continuity, tearing down a 92‑year‑old structure was a jarring shock. Photos of the demolition process—steel beams crashing down, the wooden paneling folding inward—illustrated the raw, almost cinematic loss of a piece of the nation’s heritage. The Washington Post and the New York Times covered the event with a mix of nostalgia and a sober acknowledgement that the White House had to evolve.

The Seattle Times piece notes that the demolition sparked a debate among preservationists, architects, and historians. Some argued that the wing could be restored, pointing to similar preservation efforts for the West Wing’s old office spaces. Others stressed the need for a safer, more functional environment that would better protect the President, his staff, and the country’s most powerful office.

The decision to demolish was not taken lightly. The White House’s Office of Management, in consultation with the National Park Service, conducted a thorough structural assessment. The conclusion was that the cost of restoration would outweigh the benefits, and that a new, purpose‑built wing would offer far greater security and efficiency.

The New East Wing: A Silver Lining

When Dr. Brooks looks back at the events, she sees not just a loss but a transformation. “It was a painful decision at the time,” she says, “but the new East Wing is, in many ways, an homage to the old wing.” The new wing, completed in 1995, was designed by architect James E. McMullan and the White House’s own design team. The new structure, while more modern, intentionally echoes the original’s proportions and aesthetic. The new wing’s exterior retains the same clapboard finish and window placement as the old wing, preserving the White House’s symmetrical appearance.

Inside, the new wing is a state‑of‑the‑art facility. It houses the President’s office, secure communication equipment, and expanded staff rooms. The kitchen was relocated to a purpose‑built, modern facility with advanced appliances, fire suppression systems, and a climate‑controlled pantry to preserve food safety. The new wing also boasts improved electrical infrastructure, enabling the President to host larger events without compromising safety.

Brooks points to a specific silver lining: the new wing’s basement houses a climate‑controlled archive for presidential documents. “The old East Wing didn’t have the capacity to store the increasing volume of presidential paperwork,” she explains. “The new wing provides a dedicated, secure space for documents that can now be accessed more efficiently by the staff.”

Another benefit noted in the article is the new wing’s integration with the White House’s modern security system. “The old wing’s architecture made it difficult to install the latest biometric access controls,” says Brooks. “The new wing was designed from the ground up with security in mind, making it easier to protect the President and staff from evolving threats.”

Continuing the Story

The Seattle Times article also explores the broader context of White House renovations. It links to a Washington Post piece on the 2001 renovation of the West Wing, noting how those changes were driven by similar concerns of security, technology, and functionality. It also references a National Park Service report on historic preservation guidelines for federal buildings, which helped shape the decision‑making process for the East Wing’s replacement.

The article concludes by reflecting on the nature of historical change. “History is not just about preserving what’s already there,” Brooks muses. “It’s also about adapting to new realities while keeping the essence of the past alive.” She notes that the new East Wing, while different from the original, carries forward the legacy of the White House as a living institution—one that must constantly balance tradition with progress.

In sum, the demolition of the East Wing was a moment of profound loss for many, but it also paved the way for a modern, secure, and functional extension of the White House that honors its heritage. Dr. Lillian H. Brooks reminds us that the silver lining lies in the continued evolution of the nation’s most iconic residence, proving that even the most cherished structures must adapt to survive.