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Lost History

Harry Truman’s Proposed West Wing Extension Was Never Built

Harry Truman proposed expanding the West Wing of the White House, but the plan was rejected. In response, he built the Truman Balcony on the south side of the building instead.

1 min read
Truman's proposed West Wing expansion
Truman's proposed West Wing expansion

I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but the extension proposed by Harry Truman was never built. He was annoyed by the rejection, so he instead went ahead with the Truman Balcony on the south side of the building, the one visible exterior change to come out of his 1949-1952 gut renovation of the interior.

Truman's proposed West Wing expansion
Truman’s proposed West Wing expansion (The White House Museum)

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Filed underLost History

Topics1940s · Harry Truman · The White House

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