Lafayette Square (Images of America)

Lafayette Squares rich history dates back to the founding of the District of Columbia when Pierre LEnfant planned it as part of the grounds for the presidents house. The square was one of the first open spaces within the city to be designed as a public park. Across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, the parks neighborhood became home to presidents, vice presidents, cabinet members, diplomats, inventors, journalists, heroes, authors, scientists, law breakers, and scoundrels. Today, the square and its sculptures are surrounded by government offices, but symbolically, it is the White Houses front yard, making it an attractive destination. Using historic photographs, Lafayette Square captures the squares social, political, and architectural history, highlighting important past events.