The legacy of the East Wing and the first ladies who made history

The East Wing of the White House is gone. Here, Darlene Superville of the Associated Press takes a look at some of the history made there

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BETTY Ford reportedly said that if the White House West Wing is the mind of the nation, then the East Wing - the traditional power centre for first ladies - is the heart.

That heartbeat for more than 100 years, as first ladies and their teams worked from their East Wing offices on everything from stopping drug abuse and boosting literacy to beautifying and preserving the White House itself.

It's where they planned state dinners and brainstormed the elaborate themes that are a feature of the US holiday season.

That history came to an end after wrecking crews tore down the wing's two storeys of offices and reception rooms last week.

Gone is the covered walkway to the White House captured in so many photos over the years. A garden dedicated to Jacqueline Kennedy was also uprooted, photographs show.

Republican President Donald Trump ordered the demolition as part of his still-to-be approved plan to build a $300m ballroom.

The former real estate developer has long been fixated on building a big White House ballroom.

In 2010, he called a top adviser to Democratic President Barack Obama and offered to build one.

Trump made no secret of his distaste for the practice of hosting elegant White House state dinners underneath tents on the South Lawn.

The offer was not followed up on.

Now Trump, in his second term, is moving quickly to see his wish for what he calls a "great legacy project" become reality.

He has justified the East Wing tear-down and his ballroom plans by noting that some of his predecessors have also added to the White House over the years.

First ladies and their staffs witnessed history in the East Wing, a "place of purpose and service," said Anita McBride, who worked there as chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush.