What was lost when the British burned the White House in 1814?
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The White House, which had been occupied for only 14 years at this point, had been richly furnished with sofas, writing tables, commodes, card tables, and beds by Jefferson. The Madisons "inherited" these furnishings, and brought in their own personal possessions. So most of what was burned or looted (like the small medicine cabinet pictured below) was historic only in the sense that it had been purchased by founding fathers. Some of the more notable looted items were Madison's dress sword and ceremonial hat, and a portrait of Dolley Madison. (source)
Many of the most important objects were not in the President's House, but in nearby administrative buildings. These took precedence over the White House's furnishings, and were hurriedly carried away from Washington as the British neared. For example, the State Department contained not only important official records and treaties, but the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, Washington's correspondence, and his historic resignation letter. (source)
Among the most important items in Washington lost to fire were the 3,000 volumes of the Library of Congress as well as much of the art in the Capitol Building. The Capitol Building was considered by many contemporary observers to be a more notable target than the White House.
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Source: stackoverflow.com
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