The previous East Wing ballroom at the White House hosted Black celebrations and public engagement. But Black labor helped build every part of the White House. From the first blueprint to the final brushstroke, Black hands shaped the nation’s most famous house — even if history tried to erase them. Here’s how.
#1: The Blueprint - Benjamin Banneker not only helped lead the mapping and surveying of the White House, U.S. Capitol, and U.S. Treasury buildings; he also mapped the boundaries for all of Washington, D.C.
#2: The Construction - Enslaved and free Black workers were forced to extract, haul, and lay the materials that became the foundation of the White House.
#3: The Decor - Highly skilled Black artisans, enslaved and free, created the sculptures, furniture, and artwork that are still found throughout the White House. But white slave owners and employers often took credit for the workmanship of these Black artisans.
We built the foundation of this country. It’s time we reimagine our own blueprint, not just of buildings, but of the future we’re meant to design.