Collection A Tour of the White House
In 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy resolved to make the White House a “living museum” by restoring the historic integrity of the...
Sports & Recreation
- The White House tennis court, first built in 1902 behind the West wing, was moved to the west side of the south lawn in 1909 to make way for the expansion of Executive office space.
- A heated indoor swimming pool was built in 1933 for Franklin D. Roosevelt's therapy as he was disabled by poliomyelitis. During President Nixon's first term, this space in the West Wing was converted into the White House pressroom. The Ford administration installed an outdoor pool on the South lawn in 1975.
- Bowling lanes were first built in 1947 in the basement of the West Wing but were moved to the Old Executive Office Building in 1955. In 1973, President and Mrs. Nixon, both avid bowlers, had a one-lane alley built in an underground workspace area below the driveway leading to the North Portico.
- A small movie theater, converted from a long cloakroom, was installed in the East Wing in 1942.
- A game room with billiard and ping-pong tables was constructed in 1970 on the third floor of the White House.
- A jogging track was built around the driveway of the South grounds during President Clinton's first term.
- President Eisenhower had a putting green installed outside the Oval Office with a small sand trap on one side. A new practice green was located on the south grounds in 1996.
You Might Also Like
-
-
Collection The President's Neighborhood
Since the White House was first occupied by President John Adams in 1800, influential people and organizations—or those who hoped to...
-
Collection Animal Ambassadors
Animals, whether pampered household pets, working livestock, birds, squirrels, or strays, have long been a major part of White House...
-
Collection The Working White House
For more than two centuries, the White House has been the home of American presidents. A powerful symbol of the...
-
Collection Presidential Retreats
Presidents have found different ways to escape the pressures and politics of the position. For early leaders, it was a...
-
Collection The Presidents
Biographies & Portraits
-
Collection White House in Bloom
Today's White House grounds are a site to behold. What started as 85 acres of land chosen by George Washington, was...
-
Collection The First Ladies
Biographies & Portraits
-
Collection President Truman's Renovation
During the administration of President Harry S. Truman, the White House underwent a renovation and expansion so extensive, it changed...
-
Collection White House Easter Egg Roll
Since 1878, American presidents and their families have celebrated Easter Monday by hosting an "egg roll" party. Held on the South...
-
Collection The 2016 White House Christmas Ornament
Every year since 1981, the White House Historical Association has had the privilege of designing the Official White House Christmas Ornament....
-
Collection Presidents & Baseball
No sport is more closely tied to the American presidency than baseball. One of Washington’s first baseball fields was lo...
