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Bill Clinton installed the renowned White House jogging track as a personal initiative to aid in his weight-loss efforts.
Not all presidents relished their time in the expansive residence, with Harry Truman famously labeling it a "glamorous prison" and "the great white jail."
In addition to the task of moving the First Family's belongings within a tight six-hour window, White House staff must also ensure an inventory of the family's preferred food items, anticipate their specific requirements, and swiftly establish order within the household.
The White House has welcomed some unconventional pets, including raccoons and pygmy hippopotamuses owned by President Calvin Coolidge.
Jenna Bush was firm in her belief that the White House was haunted, asserting that the mansion harbored "countless ghosts" and that peculiar "opera-like sounds" emanated from the fireplace.
Both George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan were known not to carry cash, as they relied on a tab system where expenses were accumulated.
Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced an indoor pool in 1933, while Gerald Ford constructed an outdoor one in 1975. Regrettably, Richard Nixon repurposed the indoor pool into the press briefing room.
Despite its iconic and seemingly unalterable status, each president has the authority to make changes within the White House. Notably, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Jimmy Carter opted to maintain the existing setup, while Ronald Reagan chose to modify the decor, albeit waiting until his second term to change the rug.
A storage facility within the White House is available to every sitting president. It contains a variety of items such as cherished artworks (including pieces by artists like Georgia O'Keeffe and Norman Rockwell), presents from important figures, antique items, and even a four-poster bed.
Despite having attendants readily available, White House parents such as Michelle Obama have made sure that their children continued to take responsibility for cleaning up after themselves.
A dedicated team of approximately 100 ushers and movers is allocated a mere six hours to facilitate the move-in process for new presidents. Remarkably, the same time period is allotted for moving out former presidents, ensuring a continuous and seamless transition without any downtime.
On his first night in 1974, Steve Ford, son of President Gerald Ford, brought a stereo to the White House roof, along with a friend. They indulged in listening to Led Zeppelin's iconic track 'Stairway to Heaven.'
This basketball court was installed by President Thomas Jefferson in 1805, making it one of the oldest basketball courts in the United States, and a unique and lesser-known aspect of life in the White House.
The putting green was installed by Bill Clinton in 1995. Nowadays, presidents can take a break from their busy schedules, including press conferences and national matters, to practice their putting skills on the green.
A bowling alley was added by President Harry S. Truman in 1947, as he wanted a place for recreational activity. The original location of the alley was the West Wing's ground floor, directly below the president's office. In the early 1990s, during the administration of President George H.W. Bush, the bowling alley was moved to the White House's basement level.
Jenna Bush gained attention for sneakily sharing her first kiss with her future husband on the picturesque rooftop of the White House.
Lyndon B. Johnson used to indulge in nightly massages, occasionally even dozing off during the sessions! This habit meant that his ushers, who were required to be on duty until the president retired for the night, had to remain awake throughout the night.
The White House Family Theater receives films directly from Hollywood, day or night, and frequently before these movies are officially released to the public.
In 2017, White House officials arranged for pest control services to eliminate mice from the Situation Room.
Although the First Family has the privilege of custom ordering nearly anything they wish, the sole wine served within the White House is sourced from grapes grown in the United States.
Constructed in 2009, the on-site beehive accommodates a thriving community of thousands of First Bees situated on the White House lawn. These bees are diligently looked after by the appointed beekeeper.
While the emphasis on security is understandable, the inability to experience the refreshing summer breeze can indeed be regarded as somewhat uncomfortable!
Jodi Kantor, the Obama family biographer, disclosed that when the former president and his family moved into the White House, they discovered lingering carpet stains attributed to the Bush family's cats!
Barack Obama faced criticism for his preference for higher temperatures in the Oval Office. So living in the White House might not be as distinct from regular life as one might assume!
The First Family possesses a private kitchen within their living quarters, and it's notable that Hillary Clinton often took pleasure in preparing breakfast for her daughter. This act aimed to establish a sense of normalcy amid the unique circumstances of residing in the White House.
In 1975, Susan Ford organized the first (and currently only) White House prom. This unique event certainly surpassed the conventional school gymnasium setting!
The code phrase used is: "They are discussing the Bosnian problem." This serves as a seemingly serious and pressing matter that requires attention, maintaining the privacy of intimate moments for the President and First Lady.
Contrary to popular belief, the First Family is actually billed every month for their personal expenses, including food, dry cleaning, toothpaste, and more. This might explain why they maintain a garden on the premises!
The absence of a private entrance or exit poses a challenge. Another drawback of residing within what is essentially a museum is that staff and tourists have access to the Diplomatic Room, located in close proximity to the living quarters. This situation often necessitates the First Family discreetly moving out of view.
In 2016, the Obamas revealed to CBS that they encountered numerous Wi-Fi "dead spots," which is rather surprising for a building that arguably should be one of the most technologically connected.
In 1814, British forces set fire to the White House, resulting in its destruction. However, First Lady Dolley Madison managed to rescue a single painting of George Washington, saving it from the flames.
Unofficially, sliding down the banisters has become a sort of rite of passage for First Kids, as demonstrated by the Bush twins, the Obama children, and even Teddy Roosevelt's six offspring.
The lives of presidents are often elusive to the public, but don’t you want to know what goes on in the house where America’s biggest historic decisions are made?
Beyond high-security protocols and regular sweeps by the Secret Service, check out this gallery to find out the lesser-known quirks and perks of living in America's most prestigious home.
Interesting facts about daily life in the White House
Explore the delightful and interesting aspects of life within presidential families
LIFESTYLE Usa
The lives of presidents are often elusive to the public, but don’t you want to know what goes on in the house where America’s biggest historic decisions are made?
Beyond high-security protocols and regular sweeps by the Secret Service, check out this gallery to find out the lesser-known quirks and perks of living in America's most prestigious home.