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Diplomatic Room Wallpaper Essay
Decorating the walls of this oval room is a panoramic wallpaper called "Views of North America" that was first printed in 1834 by Jean Zuber et Cie. These fanciful scenes portray American landscapes that were admired by Europeans. The first scene to next to the door leading into the White House depicts the Natural Bridge of Virginia. Based on engravings of the 1820s, one of the panels depicts Niagara Falls. One of these colorful panels features West Point in New York.
A closeup of the West Point panel shows a conversation among the ladies Printed with wooden blocks on small sheets of paper, another scene shows New York Bay. One panel features a scene of Boston Harbor. A closeup shows merchants at work in Boston Harbor.

Take a closer look at Scenic America, the 19th Century wallpaper covering the walls of the Diplomatic Reception Room.