Lee House Drawing Room Wallpaper

This ornate, hand-painted wallpaper adorns the walls of the Lee House Drawing Room. The wallpaper is rare 18th century Chinese wallpaper purchased by an English patron around 1760. At the time, Chinese decorative and fine art imports were popular and were the root of the French term "chinoiserie." This wallpaper, with its rich depictions of exotic birds, butterflies, flowers, and foliage, was likely painted to appeal to a westerner's vision of China. Lee House is 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.