id
you know that there were sheep that grazed on the White House lawn during
Wilson's administration? I was reminded of it when I was watching the inauguration
yesterday. I remembered learning that from when I was in the White House in
1999. January 21, 2009
id
you know that there were sheep that grazed on the White House lawn during
Wilson's administration? I was reminded of it when I was watching the inauguration
yesterday. I remembered learning that from when I was in the White House in
1999.
To cut grounds keeping costs during World War I, President Woodrow Wilson (1913-21) brought a flock of sheep to trim the White House grounds. Included in the flock was Old Ike, a tobacco-chewing ram. The wool from the sheep was sold to raise money for the Red Cross during World War I. To show support for the war effort, Wilson conserved the country's money and manpower by populating the White House lawns and gardens with grazing sheep liberating the gardeners to join the war effort. At the height of its success, Wilson's herd numbered eighteen. The White House flock's fleece, auctioned off to raise money for the Red Cross, earned $52,823 !
Photos above & below:
President Woodrow Wilson (1913-21) brought a flock of sheep to trim the White
House grounds.
It would have been awesome to play with that wool! Looks like it has wonderful crimp. I have not been able to identify for sure what breed of sheep he kept.
I have used sheep in the past for five years to mow my own lawn after I got tired of fighting with the lawnmower in the 1990's. One day I shall have sheep again. Wilson also had other barnyard animals, such as chickens and goats as did presidents prior to him.
President William Howard Taft had a cow named 'Pauline'. Pauline was the last cow to live at the White House and provided milk for President Taft (1909-13).
During the 1960's, Caroline Kennedy's had a pony named 'Macaroni', who roamed freely around the White House grounds and the pony received thousands of fan letters from the American public. 'Macaroni' was not the only equine to live at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW., there was also Jackie's horse named 'Zsa Zsa'. There were ponies named 'Tex' and 'Leprechaun'. In the past many many horses lived at the White House.
Forget farm animals on the White House grounds.. how about upstairs? When Roosevelt's son Archie got the measles, Quentin, another of Roosevelt's sons, thought a visit from the family pony 'Algonquin' might cheer Archie up. So Quentin put the the pony on the White House elevator and brought him to Archie's upstairs room.
President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877- 1881 had pedigreed Jersey cows on the grounds, as well as the first Siamese Kitten to reach America.
Tad Lincoln, Abraham's son, had a pet turkey at the White House. (Yay Tad! I had a pet turkey once too!)