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
sammy Jo Reeder
January 21, 2021Melania, has displayed such beauty, charm and class as a first lady!! She will be missed greatly!!
GD
January 20, 2021I want to thank monasalama for always sharing with us our beautiful First Lady. She is definitely a class act and it’s for sure Mrs. Jill Biden won’t hold a candle to Mrs.Trump. I wish President and Mrs Trump all the best in their new venture.
Byron
January 20, 2021Best First Lady in my lifetime!!
Jean
January 20, 2021Poised ,intelligent, elegant, beautiful, classy, maternal, dedicated, devoted, active, a do-er; everything you want your daughter to grow up to be. The classless filth aimed at her exhibits a party that is all talk and no active; promotes symbolism over substance, and rewards two-faced, sneaky, evil, bitchy people who spew venom, extol their ignorance, and suck off people of character and success. I love you, Melania, for all you were and all you stood for.
God Bless you.
Sharon Sturgeon
January 20, 2021She was an awesome first Lady who we will really miss. She was well loved and admired by most people and was so involved with America. She will always be my First Lady as will President Trump always be my President.
Beth E. Heilman
January 20, 2021No words can express how thankful as a citizen of the United States, for all the memorable four years you and your family have given to our, yours and my nation! I have prayed for the Trump family since “meeting” you when you entered the White House and seeing you nourish those you met and shared your actions and words to making us all to “Be Best” in everything we do. I am now 80 years young and respect and enjoy what our President has done because he is a loving and caring person and as a Christian family, I myself as well as many many more Christians are praying for the Trump Family! Thank you again, Melania
Grampa Mullan
January 20, 2021As I review the many posts below I see what most Americans have. A woman who made a choice to become a citizen. following the prescribed path , asking for no advantage. taking her position seriously as first lady and trying to perform her duties without fanfare or promoting self accolades as some felt they deserved with just their presence as justification. looking at her projects she undertook were t preserve and enhance the peoples house, no personal innovations or adjustments to leave an indelible mark of her tenure as first lady. she stood only to represent her adopted country that gave her opportunity . she will be remembered as a first lady that stood by the president as a silent partner that never tried to out shine the office of president. never claiming special privilege because she was a woman. she will be part of Americas history that shows what a good woman will do for a man when he has her support. standing with silent support can be the loudest words said. Our nation is now in peril and has seen our best days past. our freedoms now in question with the path to return to rule and not serve the people. My thanks to a first lady that showed the world what could be accomplished no matter where your from. only the application of determination and hard work that will bring anyone success within a nation that had offered the freedom to live their dream and not expect others to hand everything to you because you have a dream.. GBA.—————Grampa
Beverly Small
January 20, 2021We will miss you and wish you well in your life
Eugene Waldenmaier
January 20, 2021The finest and most gracious First Lady ever to reside in the White House
MAR & Beignet
January 20, 2021To our lovely, kind and very exceptional First Lady of the United States of America, Melania Trump.
We are so grateful you decided to become an American by choice. You have graced our country with
your many accomplishments & have been an inspiration to millions around the world. Thanks to you &
President Trump, our most dynamic President of all time…for Making America Great Again.
brendalynne1
January 19, 2021thank you Mrs. Trump for all the things you have achieved. Your graciousness and hard work without seeking a spotlight and publicity. Your example of making sure your young son was important and not used for publicity was so welcome. The published remarks about your lean budget was a real breath of fresh air. Thank you and God;s best for you and President Trump and Barronl
1kind2others
January 19, 2021Thank you for all that you have done to make the WH beautiful and all the kindness in your quiet ways sharing love to children in hospitals, schools and special events at the WH. You represented our country well and thank you. God bless you on higher calling He may have for you.
Noelle Wilkinson
January 19, 2021God Bless you Melania and President Trump. Melania, you brought grace and loveliness to the gardens and the White house. Like Jackie Kennedy, you will be remembered for the beauty you left behind as you made the Whitehouse beautiful again like Jackie O. We will forever be grateful that you tended to the peoples house. Vaya con Dios! Go with God and we love you and President Trump for all you did for Americans from 2017-2021!
Bonnie Norem
January 19, 2021Thank you, Melania! You have been the greatest first lady we have had. In your quiet ways and doing the lovely things you have done, especially with children. You have been so gracious and kind to them and represented our American family well throughout the world. God bless you in the coming years.
TFL
January 19, 2021She was a truly amazing 1st lady.
Frank Ferraro
January 19, 2021Sure the Bidens will tear it all out and redo as Joe would like to tear WH down as Trump lived in the building and he thinks whole house is contaminated now. But Obama is the one that did that, with most of the criminal going on would think Chicago mob came with Obama
outspoken1
January 18, 2021It is a detriment to our society that most did not give this wonderful Lady the true chance she deserved as our First Lady. Regardless of what you thought of DJT or even of the previous administration, this woman was deserving of an opportunity that she was never really given. She was criticized at every turn. She could never dress appropriately to suit, her accent was offensive even when the accents of others was acceptable. She spoke about family too much, she spoke about family not enough. In fact, I can not remember a single complement or word of acceptance in four years. That is truly sad, it says much about how our society has devolved since the new millennium began. Right now there is a serious divide in this country; however, the incoming first Lady deserves her opportunity. Perhaps since this administration appears to have a broader acceptance there will be more kindness shown toward our new First Lady as she tries to fit into 5 inch heels and reflect on how her predecessor must have felt as she begins with her own vision.
Good luck to our Beautiful outgoing First Lady and Good Luck to our new First Lady. The country awaits.
djt