THE 1960S KENNEDY RENOVATION of BLAIR HOUSE, the PRESIDENT’S GUEST HOUSE By
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MADE “FIT FOR KINGS”: THE 1960S KENNEDY RENOVATION OF BLAIR HOUSE, THE PRESIDENT’S GUEST HOUSE by John S. Botello A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of George Mason University in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of Master of History of Decorative Arts Committee: Director Program Director Department Chairperson Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Date: Fall Semester 2015 George Mason University Fairfax, VA Made “Fit for Kings”: The 1960s Kennedy Renovation of Blair House, The President’s Guest House A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts History of Decorative Arts at George Mason University by John S. Botello Bachelor of Arts Texas Tech University, 2013 Director: Jennifer Van Horn, Assistant Professor Department of History of Decorative Arts Fall Semester 2015 George Mason University Fairfax, VA This work is licensed under a creative commons attribution-noderivs 3.0 unported license. ii DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my God, my family, and my friends. I am a blessed individual to have the love, support, and encouragement from each member of my family and closest friends. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to Candace Shireman, Curator of Blair House, The President’s Guest House, for her support, assistance, and guidance as my mentor. Her enthusiasm and positive energy greatly encouraged my interest in researching the 1960s era of Blair House. As my professional mentor, she has provided the best curatorial training and work experience in a government residence. I would also like to extend a special thanks to Randell Bumgardner, Blair House General Manager, George Kanellos, U.S. General Services Administration Historic Preservation Specialist, Ambassador Selwa Carmen Showker Roosevelt, Ande Metzger, Administrator of the Blair House Restoration Fund, and all the staff members at Blair House. Some of my greatest memories will remain with the staff, who made me feel a part of the Blair House family. My deepest thanks and appreciation to Professor, Dr. Jennifer Van Horn. Through her courses on material culture and academic guidance, I gained a significant passion to interpret historic interiors through the lens of social culture. Thanks to Cindy Williams, Former Director of the Smithsonian-George Mason University Masters Program in the History of Decorative Arts for all her encouragement and support. A special thanks to my first art teacher, Aria Finch. She quickly noticed my passion for the arts and heavily encouraged me to pursue my dreams. I also want to thank my siblings, Amy and Jason, for their encouragement, love, and support. Lastly, a special thanks to my parents, George and Cynthia Botello, who pushed a very shy boy into Ms. Aria’s art classes. I will never be able to express my appreciation and love for the both of you. You are both my greatest role models. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi List of Abbreviations ......................................................................................................... ix Abstract ............................................................................................................................... x Introduction: An Outdate Blair House ................................................................................ 1 Chapter One: A New Vision of Function and Hospitality .................................................. 8 Chapter Two: Renovating a Diplomatic Residence .......................................................... 25 Blair Front and Rear Drawing Room and Blair Dining Room ..................................... 26 Lee Dining Room .......................................................................................................... 53 Lee Drawing Room ....................................................................................................... 76 The President’s Study.................................................................................................... 86 Lee Entrance Hall and Second Floor Landing .............................................................. 99 The Lincoln Room ...................................................................................................... 106 Chapter Three: Renovating the Private Quarters ............................................................ 112 The King’s Library ...................................................................................................... 112 Second Floor Bedrooms .............................................................................................. 123 Conclusion: A Diplomatic Extension of the White House ............................................. 140 References ....................................................................................................................... 148 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page Figure 1 First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy chats with Robin Chandler Lynn. .................... 11 Figure 2 President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan of India Departs White House. ........... 11 Figure 3 The Blair House Fine Arts Committee List. ....................................................... 15 Figure 4 The Blair House Fine Arts Committee Agenda. ................................................ 22 Figure 5 Front Exterior of Blair House, Washington, D.C ............................................... 27 Figure 6 The President’s Guest House, First Floor Plan. ................................................. 29 Figure 7 The President’s Guest House, Second Floor Plan. ............................................. 30 Figure 8 The President’s Guest House, Third Floor Plan. ................................................ 31 Figure 9 The President’s Guest House, Fourth Floor Plan. .............................................. 32 Figure 10 Blair Rear Drawing Room. 2008.. .................................................................... 33 Figure 11 Blair Front Drawing Room. 2014.. ................................................................... 33 Figure 12 Letter from Mrs. Francis Henry Lenygon, F.A.I.D. to Mrs. Robin Chandler Duke. Ca. 1963. ................................................................................................................ 35 Figure 13 Letter from Mrs. Francis Henry Lenygon, F.A.I.D. to Mrs. Robin Chandler Duke. Ca. 1963. ................................................................................................................ 36 Figure 14 Letter from Mrs. Francis Henry Lenygon, F.A.I.D. to Mrs. Robin Chandler Duke. Ca. 1963.. ............................................................................................................... 37 Figure 15 Blair Front Drawing Room. Ca. 1964. ............................................................. 39 Figure 16 Blair Rear Drawing Room, Ca. 1964. .............................................................. 40 Figure 17 Blair Rear Drawing Room. Ca. 1964. .............................................................. 40 Figure 18 Blair House Front Drawing Room. Ca. 1944. .................................................. 42 Figure 19 Blair House Front and Rear Drawing Room. Ca. 1944. ................................... 43 Figure 20 Green Room, White House. January 24, 1963. ................................................ 46 Figure 21 Open Arm Chairs with Arthur H. Lee, Inc. needlework upholstery.. .............. 47 Figure 22 Blair Dining Room. Ca. 1964. .......................................................................... 48 Figure 23 Second-Floor Center Hall, White House. August 28, 1963. ............................ 49 Figure 24 Blair Dining Room. Ca. 1964. .......................................................................... 49 Figure 25 Lee Dining Room. Ca. 1944.. ........................................................................... 55 Figure 26 Blair House Lee Dining Room. Ca. 1944......................................................... 56 Figure 27 Selected fabrics for Lee Dining Room. Ca. 1944.. ........................................... 56 Figure 28 Camellia House in the Drake Hotel, Chicago, IL. Ca. 1945. ........................... 57 Figure 29 Hand-drafted floor plan of Lee Dining Room. Ca. 1944.. ............................... 57 Figure 30 Lee Dining Room. ............................................................................................ 58 Figure 31 Lee Dining Room chairs. .................................................................................. 58 Figure 32 Lee Dining Room ............................................................................................. 62 vi Figure 33 Lee Dining Room stripped of furniture during structural repair. ..................... 63 Figure 34 Lee Dining Room fireplace mantel... ............................................................... 63 Figure 35 Blue and White “Canton” export porcelain. ..................................................... 64 Figure 36 Lee Dining. Ca. 1964. ....................................................................................... 64 Figure 37 First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s Bedroom, White House. May 9, 1962.. ...... 65 Figure 38 First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s Bedroom, White House. May 9, 1962. ....... 65 Figure 39 First Lady’s Dressing Room, August 28, 1963.. .............................................. 66 Figure 40 First Lady’s Dressing Room, August 28, 1963.. .............................................