President’s house has new design

Preliminary work has already begun for a memorial structure erected on the site of the first President’s House on Independence Mall.

Preliminary work has already begun for a memorial structure erected on the site of the first President’s House on Independence Mall. Friday Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter announced the contractor who will be given the job to build a monument to the slaves that were kept by President George Washington.

In 2007 the memorial design was overhauled so it would better reflect the tension of slavery and democracy happening in the same place at the same time. The design process became closely watched so that all citizens, including African-Americans activists, could get behind it. Architect Emanuel Kelly says the choice of building contractors will satisfy all observers.

The general contractor is Daniel J. Keating, and there are 15 subcontractors. 13 of those are minority and women contractors. So the project has met the goals that were set out by the city and the oversight committee.

Kelly says one of the window elements has been re-designed. That was in response to complaints from independent historians that the window plan was not accurate to the interior curve of the original house.