Stripped White House Exterior, North Front

This is a photograph of the North Front of the White House with a partially stripped facade. Following a two year study of the White House's sandstone walls and white paint, the National Park Service commenced a project to restore the exterior in 1980. Over the years, more than 30 layers of paint were added to the exterior walls, becoming so thick that additional paint had difficulty adhering and obstructed the original carved stonework. The restoration of the walls took place over 15 years and was completed in 1996. This photograph captures the stripped walls and scaffolding from the project.