Latrobe Landscape Sketch

This sketch was included in a letter to President Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe sent in 1807. It depicts his ongoing landscape projects at the White House. The earth was too high for the extension of the west wing and needed to be excavated. The South Grounds were also being enclosed by an irregular semicircular stone wall. Latrobe is best known as the architect who designed the U.S. Capitol, St. John's Church, and the Decatur House in Lafayette Square, the White House colonnades, and the Madison state rooms. He was also the chief engineer for the U.S. Navy.