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Creative Expression White House

200 Years of Tourism: The White House

Lee Anne Spear, M.A. ’23, Museum Studies

Colored print of the White House, a dirt road passes in the foreground.
Aquatint engraving of a rare early view showing the north façade of the White House without the portico which was added shortly later by Andrew Jackson. It also shows the terraces on the right and left sides added by Thomas Jefferson (AS 500).

By Lee Anne Spear
M.A. ’23, Museum Studies

These photos explore how security measures and residential living have changed the look of tourism in the nation’s capital. Works from the Albert H. Small Collection are juxtaposed with recent photographs of major sites around the District taken by the author.

A colored print of the White House, a small black fence separates the lawn from the dirt round in the foreground.
Pedestrians and riders travel down Pennsylvania Avenue by the North Lawn c. 1850, a small fence separates them from the White House grounds. AS 46
White House through black bars of the fence.
The White House through the security fence.
Park Police vehicles block entry to the White House property.
US Park Police patrol a security checkpoint near the South Lawn.
A black and white print of the White House, a gardener works on the lawn in the foreground.
Two Pedestrians and a gardener walk the south grounds, 1837. AS 305
A tall, black fence blocks the view of the South Lawn.
The South Lawn of the White House through the security fence.
A colorful print of the South Lawn, boats on the Potomac River flowing by in the foreground.
Boats float on the Potomac past the South Lawn of the White House in 1840. AS 172
A black and white photograph of the South Lawn, unimpeded by a fence.
South façade of the White House with a green house attached on the left side in 1866. AS 460
Secret Service Police dressed in black uniforms stand by their bicycles under a large tree by the White House.
Secret Service patrol Lafayette Square near the White House security fence.
Protesters holding light blue flags and protest signs walk past the North Lawn fence.
A protest is held on Pennsylvania Ave in front of the White House. Suffragettes were the first to protest here in 1917.
A black and white sketch of finely dressed visitors under the White House portico.
Visitors in 1853 engage in conversation under the North Portico of the White House. AS 359
A large statue of President Jackson on horseback stands in from of the White House.
Visitors in 1853 get an up-close look at the President Jackson monument in Lafayette Square. AS 131
The Jackson Statue sits still in front of the White House, but now both have large, black fences.
The President Jackson statue still stands, now with its own security fence.
White Park Police vehicles and a black barricade block traffic.
US Park Police and Secret Service block traffic onto Pennsylvania Ave.
A yellow sign is attached to the black barricade with the text caution and an image of a police dog.
A sign warns pedestrian tourists about Secret Service K-9 patrol in front of the White House.
From a distance, the North front of the White House can be seen mostly unimpeded by the tall security fence.
Tourists gather outside the White House security fence to take photos.
A sketch of the White House portico, finely dressed visitors stand in front with two black, horse drawn carriages driving by.
Visitors in 1857 crowd the sidewalk by the North Portico. AS 355

About Lee Anne Spear

Lee Anne Spear is a graduate student seeking a master’s in museum studies and a certificate in autism spectrum disorder. An arts and history educator focused on disability justice, she seeks to make cultural heritage accessible to all. Spear is currently working with the Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies to help students engage with the D.C. history collection through the Evolution D.C. blog.