White House Pets

Exhibitions

Special Event!

Apr 11, 2008
9:00am - 5:00pm

Now on View!

White House Pets--April 11, 2008-June 29, 2008

Animals - whether pampered household pets, working livestock, birds, squirrels, or strays - have long been a major part of life at the White House. A new exhibit, White House Pets, organized by the White House Historical Association and the White House Curator's Office in cooperation with the National Park Service, looks at the many ways in which these creatures have been part of the history of the White House. The exhibit will be on display in the Second Floor Lobby of the museum from Friday April 11 through Sunday June 29.

"Some pets simply provided companionship to the president and his family. Others served as ambassadors without portfolio. They helped to shape the president's public image. No matter what job was bestowed upon them, White House pets usually did it well," said Neil W. Horstman, president of the White House Historical Association.

The six panel White House Pets exhibit incorporates 50 historic and contemporary images and cartoons covering animal inhabitants from Thomas Jefferson's magpie sent back from the Lewis and Clark expedition to George W. Bush's Barney starring in the White House web cam series. Panels include: Pets in the Past; Animal Ambassadors; President's Best Friend; and Merry Menageries.

Top right photo: John F. Kennedy with Caroline, John Jr. and Macaroni outside of the Oval Office, 1962. Photo Courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.

George W. Bush's dog Spot playing on the White House Lawn, 2001. Photo courtesy of The White House

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