 When purchased , the 189 acres ( 0 @.@ 76 km2 ) included 600 chickens , 25 cows , and many dilapidated buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries . Renovation of the property was delayed when Eisenhower became supreme commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1951 . After he had attained the presidency of the United States in 1953 , Mamie had him rebuild the old house . Much of the original building had to be torn down , due to its deterioration . The total cost of renovation was $ 250 @,@ 000 ( equal to $ 2 @,@ 211 @,@ 132 today ) . This large expense was due partly to Mamie 's whims , but also to Eisenhower 's employment of union labor ; he spent $ 65 @,@ 000 ( equal to $ 574 @,@ 894 today ) for union workmen who came each day from Washington , D.C. ( 75 miles ( 121 km ) away ) to work on the farmhouse . On their 1955 wedding anniversary , the Eisenhowers held a party to celebrate completion of the work . The entire staff of the White House were invited , attending in two shifts , so that the White House would not be unstaffed . The staff were forever grateful to the Eisenhowers for including them in the festivities . 
