Built during 1871-1888, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building is steeped in history. Once known as the State, War, and Navy Building, it now houses the Office of the Vice President. One of its unique features, still in existence throughout much of the building, is the original fireproof cast iron bronze doorknobs. Their intricate artistry and craftsmanship, patterned after French Second Empire architecture, is rarely seen in modern-day structures. The pattern on the doorknobs distinguished which of the original three departments (State, Navy or War) occupied a particular space. Produced as a gift for staff members, a design on the doorknobs was replicated on sets of custom cufflinks. The cufflinks are currently available for purchase in the Navy Mess, located on the West Wing ground floor and run by the U.S. Navy.
