Lee House Drawing Room

This photograph is of the Drawing Room in Lee House, one of four buildings that constitute the President's Guest House. Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, just across the street from the North Grounds of the White House, Lee House was built in 1859 by Francis Preston Blair for his daughter Elizabeth and her husband, Admiral Samuel Phillips Lee. Blair built the house next door to his residence, the more prominent and recognizable Blair House. The Drawing Room was constructed when President Harry S. Truman, residing in Blair House during his renovation of the White House, joined the two parlors of Blair House and Lee House. The long Drawing Room stretches the depth of the house and is used for large gatherings. The room features rare, 18th century hand-painted Chinese wallpaper and antique furniture, such as the Chippendale-style sofa in this photograph, along side modern reproductions in the English Chippendale and Hepplewhite styles.