Today, First Lady Melania Trump, Honorary Chair of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House (CPWH), hosted the official reopening of the White House Rose Garden. Joining the First Lady were The President, Vice President, Second Lady, members of the CPWH, Administration officials and other key partners who contributed to the project.
Following remarks by representatives of the landscape architecture firms, the First Lady began the evening by thanking those who made the renewal possible, acknowledging their hard work, dedication and generosity. She touched upon the history of the garden that Americans have come to treasure and how this renewal returned the garden to its original 1962 blueprint designed by Bunny Mellon during the Kennedy Administration.
Mrs. Trump emphasized the role agricultural and horticultural experts have played in making sure the garden will thrive through improved infrastructure and utilities. She also highlighted how the restoration improved accessibility to the garden for those with disabilities.
The First Lady closed the evening thanking those in attendance and stating that “Gardens are symbols of growth and hope.”
The Rose Garden restoration, designed by the landscape architecture firms, Perry Guillot, Inc and Oehme, van Sweden & Associates/OvS, was a joint effort to improve upon and enhance the iconic garden, located adjacent to the Oval Office. The plan was approved by the CPWH and the Committee for the Preservation of the White House Gardens (CPWHG). The CPWHG is newly formed under the leadership of First Lady Melania Trump. Oversight from both the CPWH and the CPWHG ensured that the Rose Garden renewal project was carefully conducted to the highest standards. The First Lady also consulted closely with, Tham Kannalikham, the interior designer she selected for the White House, who acted as an advisor to the team. Together with the Chief Usher, Ms. Kannalikham was able to ensure the First Lady’s vision was perfectly executed.