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All Creatures Great and Small

East Room Pet Sculptures

Many of the presidential animals can be found along the mantles in the East Room. This room, where so many important White House events are held, is decorated in spruce trees and garland to complete the East Room's bright and festive decorations. Rebecca and Rueben were pet racoons of President Calvin Coolidge and his wife, Grace. Rebecca, who joined the family before Rueben, was a favorite. The racoons spent their evenings in an outdoor shed and occasionally roamed the White House during the day. President Coolidge served from 1923 to 1929. Nelson, the steed that George Washington rode during the Revolutionary War, nobly wears the status as first horse. President Washington was our first president and served from 1789 to 1797.
On the southeast mantel are three sheep brought to the White House by President Woodrow Wilson during World War I to keep the lawn of the White House neat and trim. President Wilson served from 1913 to 1921. The calico pony and bright blue and gold macaw are part of the menagerie belonging to the family of President Theodore Roosevelt. Algonquin, the pony, rode the White House elevator to visit the Roosevelt's son, Archie, while he was sick. The macaw, named Eli Yale, was one of the pets kept by the Roosevelt family. President Roosevelt served from 1902 to 1909.