Bowling alleys, movie theaters, and swimming pools: 17 things first families have added to the White House

Talia LakritzDec 9, 2020, 03:08 IST

The Obamas in the White House's movie theater, originally built by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942.Pete Souza/White House

Woodrow Wilson's wife, Ellen, established the Rose Garden in 1913.
The White House Bowling Alley was built in 1947 as a birthday present for Harry Truman, and Gerald Ford had an outdoor swimming pool built in 1975.
Barack Obama adapted the White House's tennis court for full-court basketball with painted lines and removable hoops.
Melania Trump oversaw the construction of a Tennis Pavilion, which was unveiled on Monday.

The White House has 132 rooms and its grounds span 18.7 acres. Throughout US history, first families have made the space their own with new additions and renovations depending on their interests.

Most recently, first lady Melania Trump announced the completion of a Tennis Pavilion on Monday.

Here are 17 amenities that presidents, first ladies, and their families have added to the White House through the years.

James Buchanan's niece Harriet Lane, who acted as his first lady, had a greenhouse built on the roof of the west terrace of the White House in 1857.

The White House greenhouse photographed between 1857 and 1858. Library of Congress

Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes continued adding conservatories throughout the 1870s and 1880s.

The interior of the White House greenhouse in 1908. The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images

Theodore Roosevelt added tennis courts behind the West Wing, and William Howard Taft moved them further south in 1910.

President Warren G. Harding watching tennis players on White House courts in 1923. Library of Congress

Ellen Wilson, the wife of Woodrow Wilson, established the Rose Garden in 1913.

The Rose Garden in 1914. Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress

The Solarium, or Sun Room, dates back to Taft's presidency, but was officially built on the third floor in 1927 when Calvin Coolidge held office.

Ronald and Nancy Reagan relax in the third floor Solarium in 1981. David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images

The White House's indoor swimming pool was built in 1933 for Franklin D. Roosevelt's physical therapy exercises.

The White House swimming pool used by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

FDR also oversaw the conversion of a cloakroom into a movie theater in 1942.

Mamie Eisenhower in White House movie theater with her grandchildren. Ed Clark/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

The White House Bowling Alley was built as a birthday present for Harry Truman in 1947.

President Harry Truman in the White House Bowling Alley circa 1953. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

Dwight Eisenhower had a putting green installed in 1954.

George H.W. Bush on the putting green outside the White House. David Valdez/White House/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

Gerald Ford had an outdoor swimming pool built in 1975.

Gerald Ford preparing to take a swim at the new swimming pool of the White House in 1975. STR/AFP via Getty Images

Nixon had a bedroom transformed into the White House Game Room in 1970.

The White House game room. Library of Congress

A half basketball court on the South Lawn was installed by George H.W. Bush in 1991.

The half basketball court on the South Lawn of the White House in 2009. Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images

Clinton's jogging habit spurred the creation of a track in 1993.

Bill Clinton and Korean President Kim Young-Sam jog around the White House track. J. DAVID AKE/AFP via Getty Images

Hillary Clinton gifted Bill the White House Music Room for his birthday in 1996.

President Clinton practices with his saxophone in the newly decorated Music Room in the Residence in 1996. Clinton Digital Library

Barack Obama had the White House tennis court adapted for full-court basketball with painted lines and removable basketball hoops.

President Barack Obama shoots a basketball as members of the Harlem Globetrotters look on in 2012. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

In 2009, Michelle Obama planted the White House Kitchen Garden on the South Lawn as part of her initiative to encourage healthy living.

Michelle Obama hosts a fall harvest of the White House vegetable garden in 2009. TIM SLOAN/AFP via Getty Images

Melania Trump oversaw the construction of a new Tennis Pavilion in 2020.

Melania Trump breaks ground for the construction of the tennis pavilion in 2019. Andrea Hanks/Official White House Photo

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