Melania Trump just redesigned the White House's Rose Garden. Here's how the space has changed over the years.

Talia LakritzAug 25, 2020, 01:53 IST

The White House Rose Garden then and now.Library of Congress, Erin Scott/Reuters

Ellen Wilson, the wife of Woodrow Wilson, established the Rose Garden in 1913.
It was redesigned under the Kennedy administration, and it has hosted many historic events.
First lady Melania Trump updated the Rose Garden with pastel-colored roses and a new limestone walkway.

Before the White House had a Rose Garden, the land was used for horse stables.

Under the tutelage of first ladies throughout history, the garden was built and transformed into a colorful landscape with a well-manicured event space. Most recently, Melania Trump unveiled a new Rose Garden design on August 22.

Here's how the Rose Garden has changed over the years.

Before the Rose Garden, there was the Colonial Garden, which was established by Edith Roosevelt in 1902.

The Colonial Garden in 1902. Library of Congress

The garden featured Johnny jump ups, daisies, and wildflowers that the first lady gathered herself. The flowers were surrounded by boxwood.

Ellen Wilson replaced the Colonial Garden with the White House Rose Garden in 1913.

The Rose Garden as planted in 1913. Library of Congress

It was designed as a formal flower garden, before the space was used for events and press conferences.

The Rose Garden was designed by George E. Burnap and Beatrix Farrand.

The Rose Garden in 1914. Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress

Instead of round, winding paths through flowers, the garden was organized in rows with a lawn in the center.

In 1961, designer Rachel Lambert Mellon reimagined the garden.

The Rose Garden in 1963. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

Mellon wrote that President Kennedy became interested in revamping the Rose Garden after returning from a trip to Europe.

"The President had noted that the White House had no garden equal in quality or attractiveness to the gardens that he had seen and in which he had been entertained in Europe," she wrote for the White House Historical Association. "There he had recognized the importance of gardens surrounding an official residence and their appeal to the sensibilities of all people."

Mellon wrote that President Kennedy became interested in revamping the Rose Garden after returning from a trip to Europe.

The President had noted that the White House had no garden equal in quality or attractiveness to the gardens that he had seen and in which he had been entertained in Europe, she wrote for the White House Historical Association. There he had recognized the importance of gardens surrounding an official residence and their appeal to the sensibilities of all people.

Mellon added Katherine crab apple trees, perennials, annuals, Greenpillow, and of course, roses.

The White House Rose Garden in 1963. Bettmann via Getty Images

Mellon also handpicked four magnolia trees for the corners of the garden, inspired by the front of the Frick museum in New York City.

More flowers were added to the Rose Garden for the wedding of President Richard Nixon's daughter Tricia and Edward Finch Cox in 1971.

Edward Finch Cox and Tricia Nixon Cox walk through rows of flowers in the White House Rose Garden in 1971. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

Though Tricia was the eighth daughter of a president to hold a wedding at the White House, hers was the first outdoor wedding ceremony.

The wedding was attended by 400 guests.

The wedding ceremony of Tricia Nixon and Edward Cox in 1971. National Archive/Newsmakers/Getty Images

The reception was then held in the East Room.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan playfully fed some squirrels burrowed in the garden's potted plants.

The Rose Garden in 1983. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

The Oval Office is adjacent to the Rose Garden, making it easy for presidents to step out for some fresh air.

Over the years, many historic events occurred in the Rose Garden.

President Bill Clinton names Ruth Bader Ginsburg to be associate justice of the Supreme Court in the Rose Garden in 1993. Ron Sachs/CNP/Getty Images

President Clinton named Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the Supreme Court in the Rose Garden in 1993.

The garden also once featured a small seating area where presidents occasionally held meetings or ate lunch.

Meeting in the Rose Garden in 2009. ImageCatcher News Service/Corbis via Getty Images

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden met with James Crowley and Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. in the Rose Garden in 2009.

First lady Melania Trump unveiled the new Rose Garden design on August 22.

Members of the media view the renewed White House Rose Garden in 2020. Erin Scott/Reuters

Updates include improved technology for hosting events and new limestone walkways bordering the lawn.

During her husband's presidency, Melania Trump has made other changes to the White House.

Updates include improved technology for hosting events and new limestone walkways bordering the lawn.

During her husband's presidency, Melania Trump has made other changes to the White House.

The magnolias remain, but now there are also roses in white and pastel shades.

The new White House Rose Garden. Erin Scott/Reuters

Around 12 crabapple trees from the Kennedy administration were removed and will be replanted elsewhere on the grounds, according to USA Today. The small seating area was also removed and will be replaced with an art installation.

The first lady will address the Republican National Convention from the Rose Garden.

The White House Rose Garden. Erin Scott/Reuters

"Excited to honor history & celebrate the future in our beautiful @WhiteHouse Rose Garden this evening," Melania Trump tweeted on August 22. "Thank you to all who helped renew this iconic & truly gorgeous space."

Excited to honor history & celebrate the future in our beautiful @WhiteHouse Rose Garden this evening, Melania Trump tweeted on August 22. Thank you to all who helped renew this iconic & truly gorgeous space.

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