There are an astounding 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms in the White House, spread over six levels. Two of the levels are dedicated to the First Family's living space.
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Get Obsessed
Wacky Stories from the White House
by Homesessive
Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the White House? As the home to the head of our nation, it's no surprise a great deal of curiosity surrounds the building. How many rooms does it have? Where do you think the dining room is located? What do you think the Obamas are doing as we speak? It's hard to believe they may simply be sitting down to a calm family dinner. We know we have questions and that's why we've compiled this list of wacky stories from inside the White House walls.
The building has been through a long history and has been home many different first families. View the gallery above to discover facts about the White House and it's famous residents that you never knew before. From bizarre pets to peculiar pet names for family members, these wacky white house facts will surprise and delight you.
View the slideshow above from some interesting and wacky White House facts!
For more interesting Presidential stories, check out White House China and White House Replica.
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When it comes time to repaint the façade of the White House, it requires 570 gallons of paint to completely cover the outer surface. This happens once a year and was first painted white in 1798 to protect the sandstone against the elements.
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President Theodore Roosevelt gave the White House its official name in 1901. It was known in the past as the "President's Palace/House" and the "Executive Mansion."
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Grover Cleveland was the only president to have his wedding inside the White House. He was also the twenty-second and twenty-fourth President, making him the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms.
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Sarah Polke, the 11th First Lady of the United States, banned dancing, card playing, and drinking of hard liquor in the White House. She also refused to attend the theater or horse races due to her faith.
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The White House has since hosted many balls and dance affairs. Here daughters and sons of Washington diplomats dance in the staid East Room of the White House. They were attending a dance party thrown by President Johnson’s 17-year-old daughter, Luci Johnson.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi
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Even if there is no formal event, the First Family knows how to boogie. Here President Kennedy claps along as his children, Caroline and John Jr., dance around the room. Sarah Polke undoubtedly would have frowned upon this kind of behavior in the Oval Office!
Photo Credit: AP Photo White House
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The President and First Lady often entertain popular celebrities in the White House. This image captures an unlikely First Lady and celebrity moment. During her “Just Say No” campaign, Mrs. Reagan was photographed sitting on the lap of TV star, Mr. T., and kissing him on his forehead.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ira Schwarz
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Unlike Sarah Polke, Franklin D. Roosevelt must have known how to have a good time! He's the President who built a swimming pool and a movie theater in the White House!
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Gerald R. Ford appreciated these additions. He was known to swim laps in the White House pool almost every day. Once he gave a press conference while he was swimming!
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The Oval Office has gone through many renovations since the White House was built. Here is a view of the office in 1993 before Laura Bush lead a major redecorating of the building.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/J.Scott Applewhite, FILE
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No matter who resides in the White House, the Oval Office holds a special place of distinction and comfort in their hearts. John F. Kennedy's young son used to hide under the president's desk. John Jr. was said to have called the Oval Office desk "my house."
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Theodore Roosevelt brought his six children and extensive array of pet animals to live with him at the White House. The pets included four guinea pigs, a small bear, a lizard, a badger, a pig, a blue macaw, a hen, a one-legged rooster, a hyena, a barn owl, a rabbit, and finally the family pony.
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Most first families have been big pet lovers showing off their dogs and cats with great pride. But few top Barbara Bush who wrote a memoir from the point of view of the family's dog, Millie.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/White House, David Valdez
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During the President's term, the First Lady's most important role is that of White House hostess. Two former First Ladies passed on the duties associated with this role to their daughters. In the early 1800's Peggy Taylor refused the position, and Hillary Rodham Clinton passed the role on to Chelsea while she served as the U.S. Senator to New York.
Photo credit: AP Photo/Hillery Smith Garrison
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Blair House is the official state guest house for foreign heads of state. It is located across the street from the White House and is actually larger at close to 70,000 square feet. Many presidents-elect with their families spend their last few nights at the Blair House before their inauguration.
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Marian Shields Robinson, Michelle Obama's mother and the President's mother-in-law, lives with the First Family in the Executive Residence.
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President Clinton rewarded major democratic donors a special treat allowing them to stay in the historic bedroom of President Lincoln.
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The White House likes to make use of their outdoor spaces as well as the beautiful interior. The South Lawn contains a dedicated beehive that is used to cultivate honey for the White House kitchens. It was installed in 2009 and the bees also help pollinate the official White House kitchen garden.
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Jimmy Carter's daughter, Amy, had a tree house on the South Grounds of the White House. Sometimes she watched special ceremonies from there.
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In 1878, Lucy Hayes established the now famous Easter egg roll. Prior to that the popular holiday tradition was held on the lawn of the Capitol building.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ron Edmonds
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The Obamas aren’t afraid to be silly and get into character as they read "Where the Wild Things Are" to a crowd of children during the Easter egg roll in 2012.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Susan Walsh
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When her husband took office, Barbara Bush reinstated the tradition of opening the White House to a public open house after the inauguration. She gave herself the nickname, 'Everybody's Grandmother'.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Scott Applewhite, File
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Speaking of nicknames, Ronald Reagan’s pet name for Nancy was “mommy”, a term of endearment for which he received a lot of teasing.
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President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hilary Clinton named their daughter, Chelsea, after the song “Chelsea Morning” written by Joni Mitchell and recorded by Judy Collins.
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Already the Governor of Arkansas when Chelsea was born, the Clinton's were determined to shower their only child with attention and affection during their busy schedules. President Clinton reportedly had a small desk for her in his office and would eat breakfast with her every morning.
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