2. Designs for the White House

Dolly Madison was responsible for setting the look of the White House. Along with Mary Latrobe and Benjamin Latrobe, Dolly chose elements of Greece and Rome for the decorations in the White House as they avoided anything that reflected the lavish European aristocracy. Some key elements they chose to highlight were geometric symmetry, bright lights, and colors that resulted in a tasteful combination of elegance and simplicity.

Choosing American crafters was important to Dolly and the Latrobes which helped the local economy. On display in the exhibit are fabric swatches, trade cards, and Henry Latrobe’s design drawings.