<P> The White House Reconstruction, also known as the Truman Reconstruction, was a comprehensive dismantling and rebuilding of the interior of the White House between 1949 - 1952 . A century - and - a-half of wartime destruction and rebuilding, hurried renovations, additions of new services, technologies, an added Third Floor, and inadequate foundations brought the Executive Residence portion of the White House Complex to near - imminent collapse . In 1948 architectural and engineering investigations deemed it unsafe for occupancy and President Harry S. Truman, his family, and the entire residence staff were relocated across the street . For over three years the White House was gutted, expanded, and rebuilt . The scope, costs, and historical authenticity of the work were controversial, with the reconstruction being called both structurally essential, and a disaster . </P> <P> When the Trumans moved into the executive mansion in 1945, they found it badly in need of repair after twelve years of neglect during the Depression and war . In 1946 Congress authorized $780,000 for repairs . The mansion's heaving floors and mysterious sounds had been known by staff and First Families for many years . For the first two years of his presidency, President Truman heard "ghosts" roaming the halls of the Second Floor residence . Government agencies had expressed concern about the condition of the building, including a 1941 report from the Army Corps of Engineers warning of failing wood structure, crumbling masonry, and major fire hazards . The report was dismissed by President Roosevelt . </P>

When was the last time the white house was renovated