When the White House East Wing was demolished this week -- with it went more than a century of American history. Home to the first lady's official office, a movie theater and even a hidden bunker underneath, the East Wing was leveled to make way for President Donald Trump's new $300 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom.

Several preservation groups have expressed concern in recent weeks about the project, which is the first major change to the exterior of the White House in 83 years.

What began as an architectural balance to the West Wing eventually became a symbolic seat of power for First Ladies.

The two-story structure of drawing rooms and offices, including a walkway to the White House, has been turned into rubble.

Chelsea Clinton attacked President Donald Trump in a new USA Today op-ed over his ballroom addition to the White House, saying it was part of his "disregard for history."

The White House has been home to every U.S. president since 1800, when John Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved in — before construction on the building was even finished. Since then, the residence has evolved through centuries of expansion, renovation and, at times, controversy.

The modern East Wing was constructed in 1942 under Franklin Delano Roosevelt to conceal an underground White House bomb shelter built in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor.

Mo., responded to criticism of Trump's East Wing demolition project, citing liberal support for removing Christopher Columbus and Thomas Jefferson statues.

Some dirt from the grounds has been taken to Hains Point parkland that sits on the Potomac River, just across from Ronald Reagan National Airport. The White House said some of construction debris, like wood and plants, may be sent to nurseries, through the National Park Service.

Jacqueline Kennedy’s grandson is condemning President Donald Trump’s ongoing renovations of the White House. “My grandmother saw America in full color — Trump sees black and white,” Jack Schlossberg wrote on Instagram on Thursday3.

Trump administration responds to ballroom criticism by posting White House timeline that includes cocaine discovery, Muslim Brotherhood visit and Clinton scandal.