Melania Trump Reflects On Historic White House Restorations She Oversaw

First Lady Melania Trump penned a new essay Monday on the restoration projects she oversaw to preserve the White House’s heritage during her four years, defending the redesigns that was subject to heavy criticisms by the liberal media.

“As First Lady, and as the temporary custodian of this national treasure, I was inspired by the example of my predecessors. Their reverence for the White House, and their love of history ensured the long-term preservation of the building in which they both served and lived,” Melania wrote in the piece entitled ‘Honoring American Craftsmanship in the People’s House.’

“The projects that I have overseen during the last four years are ones which I believe will not only preserve the house’s heritage but enhance the experience of its beauty and solemnity for generations to come,” Melania added.

In the 850-word essay posted to the White House website and shared on her Twitter account Monday morning, Melania detailed the work she undertook as First Lady of restoring areas of White House that “were in great need of structural restoration and preservation.”

The First Lady noted the “first full renovation” of the Queen’s Bathroom in 2018 that was last restored in the 1950s, updating and restoring the “President’s Elevator” in 2018, the “several months-long restoration of the East Room” marble flooring on the State Floor entry and outside of the East Room in 2019, and also in the same year a full renovation of Bowling Alley that was last renovated in 1994.

She also noted the completion of the refurbishment of the Children’s Garden that began in 2018 and the construction of the new White House Tennis Pavilion that began in October 2019, both of which were completed last month. The Tennis Pavilion was constructed in partnership with the Trust for the National Mall and the National Park Service, and funded entirely through private donation.

Earlier last year, the First Lady shared on Twitter a series of pics of herself wearing a hard hat while reviewing blueprints for the construction of a tennis pavilion on the south grounds, promoting backlash from critics. She pushed back those criticism in a follow-up tweet, urging critics to “contribute something good” to their communities.

In her essay statement, Melania acknowledged that some of her “ambitious project of the Administration” that has not yet completed, hoping her incoming successor will be “admired by all who see its beauty” and finish what she has started.

“The restoration and conservation of the priceless Zuber wallpaper in the Family Dining Room, perhaps the most ambitious project of the Administration, remains to be completed, and will be, I hope, admired by all who see its beauty,” Melania wrote.

The First Lady also commented on the historic White House Rose Garden renovation that began last Summer and was completed a month late just before the Republican National Convention in the end of August. The first restoration of the iconic space in over 58 years included plans to restore the garden to resemble the original design and formation from First Lady Jackie Kennedy’s 1962 footprint that was implemented by President Kennedy’s personal friend, Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon. 

In November 2020, Melania added the installation of “Floor Frame” by Isamu Noguchi, introducing the design to the east terrace of the revamped Rose Garden, the first piece by an Asian-American artist to enter the White House collection.

Melania concluded by thanking the staff and craftsmen who helped worked “tirelessly” on the projects and “met their standards of preservation, conservation, and scholarly excellence.”

“As this chapter comes to a close, it is important to acknowledge the many people and departments without whom my role as First Lady would not have been possible,” Melania concludes. “Both the White House Office of the Curator and the White House Historical Association have worked tirelessly to ensure these projects met their standards of preservation, conservation, and scholarly excellence. I am grateful for those who in a private capacity have so generously donated to my initiatives and to the collection as a whole.”

As well as sharing the essay, Melania on Twitter posted a message marking Martin Luther King Day. Last Friday, the First Lady posted a video celebrating her Be Best initiative, a three pillar initiative focusing on encourage children to be their best while highlighting the importance of physical, social, and emotional well being.

Melania’s Be Best Initiative never caught fire like her predecessors’ First Lady initiative. In the past two years since “Be Best” launch, Melania has traveled across the country and overseas highlighting people and programs dedicated to helping children learn, work through, and overcome these issues. 

Some of the Be Best accomplishments include visits to over 20 classrooms and meeting with nearly 4,000 students from all over the world, and touring nearly 20 hospitals in the United States and internationally to thank medical staff for their devotion to children patients. 

Last Monday, Melania broke her silence on the January 6th mob attack on the Capitol, publishing a 600-word essay where she also extended her condolences for lives lost during the chaos. 

“I am disappointed and disheartened with what happened last week. Our Nation must heal in a civil manner. Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on our Nation’s Capitol. Violence is never acceptable,” Melania wrote.

The First Lady also slammed the “salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks” on those “who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda,” without mentioning those claims directly in her statement.

“I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me – from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda. This time is solely about healing our country and its citizens. It should not be used for personal gain,” she wrote.

Melania is schedule to leave with her husband, President Trump Wednesday morning in a departure ceremony at Joint Base Andrews before flying to Palm Beach, Florida.

Be BestBowling AlleyCapitol RiotChildren's GardenFirst LadyFloor FrameFLOTUSInaugurationIsamu NoguchiMartin Luther King DayMelania TrumpPolitical FashionPresident TrumpPresident's ElevatorQueen's BathroomRose GardenTennis PavilionWhite HouseWhite House Historical AssociationWhite House Office of the Curator