The White House National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Washington, D.C.

Junior

Ranger

Activity 

Guide
Welcome to the 

White House! 

Our Nation has an exciting tradition 

of exploration dating back to the 

founding of our country, and visiting 

our National Parks is an important 

part of the American experience. 

Since 1933, the White House has been a part of the park system, and 

welcomes millions of visitors each year. 

In the following pages, you will learn interesting facts and fascinating 

stories about the White House, and start your adventure as a Junior 

Ranger. By studying the history of our National Parks, uncovering 

unique treasures, and sharing information with friends and family, 

Junior Rangers help to preserve and protect our cherished lands. 

No matter where your travels as a Junior Ranger take you, I hope you 

continue to explore our National Parks, and approach your life with 

a spirit of discovery as you grow. 

m 
1

How to Become a White House Junior Ranger

First, follow along with the activities in the booklet during your tour of the 

White House. (In the White House: pages 3–12)

After your tour, do as many of the follow-up activities as you have time to do. 

(Activities to Do After Your Tour: pages 13–22)

Finally, you can either present your booklet to a ranger at the White House 

Visitor Center (directions on page 23) to be sworn in as an official Junior Ranger 

and receive your badge and certificate, or you can mail your activity booklet and 

blank certificate to: Junior Ranger Program, President’s Park, 1100 Ohio Drive, 

SW, Washington, DC 20242, and we’ll send your signed Junior Ranger certificate, 

activity booklet and badge to you.

It’s as easy as 1 2 3

Explore, Learn, Protect

Be a Junior Ranger!

Welcome to the White House Junior Ranger Program. In 

these pages, you will learn about the amazing history of this 

home, workplace, and museum. For over two hundred years, 

the White House has stood as a symbol of the presidency, the United 

States government, and the American people. Be a part of that history as you 

explore, learn, and protect. 

1

2

3

What is a National Park Service Junior Ranger?

Junior Rangers are important people because they help park rangers protect and 

take care of the resources of the National Parks. This is a big job because there are 

almost 400 National Parks in the United States! Junior Rangers also learn about the 

buildings, objects, plants, animals and history of the National Parks, and share that 

knowledge with their friends and families. 
2

In the White House ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

White House Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The Story of the White House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–5

Map of the White House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–7

The Ground Floor 

The Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

The Vermeil Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The China Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The State Floor 

The East Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

The Green Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

The Blue Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

The Red Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

The State Dining Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

The Entrance Hall and Cross Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Activities to Do After Your Tour ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Get Active. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Champions for Change. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

White House Word Search. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Express Yourself. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Fur and Scales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Fitness and Fun with the First Family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Technology Firsts at the White House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

The ABC’s of Architecture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

First Family Puzzle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Arrowhead Activity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Want To Learn More?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Answers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3

White House Fun Facts

★

★

★ ★

★ ★ ★

★

★

★

Dimensions:

Length: 168 feet

Width: 85 1

⁄2 feet (residence)

 152 feet (with porticos)

Height: overall: south 70 feet; north 60 feet 4 in.

 facade: south 60 feet; north 50 feet 4 in.

Area (6 floors): just under 100,000 square feet

Rooms: 132 total, including

 15 bedrooms 35 restrooms

 1 medical clinic 1 dental office 

 5 kitchens 2 pantries

 4 dining rooms: State, Family, President’s, Staff

Other Features:

26 fireplaces 12 chimneys

147 windows 412 doors

3 elevators 69 closets

2 sidewalk lifts

Recreational Facilities:

Indoors: bowling alley, 46-seat movie theater

Outdoors: swimming pool, tennis court, putting green, 

Children’s Garden, Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, 

Kitchen Garden, swing set, and basketball court

 Office of the Curator

Hello friends! I’m President Gerald Ford. 

Did you know...before I became the 38th 

president, I was a park ranger at Yellowstone 

National Park? Watch for other Fun Facts about 

the White House throughout this book.

White House Specifications

President Gerald Ford
4

The Story of 

the White House

1792: James Hoban begins construction on the 

White House, after being selected by George 

Washington in a design competition. 

1800: President John Adams and 

his wife First Lady Abigail Adams 

become the first official residents of 

the White House.

1814: British troops burn the White 

House during the War of 1812.

1817: James Hoban completes the 

reconstruction of the White House.

4

 Look around at all the treasures surrounding 

you. What would you save if the White House 

were being evacuated today?

The enemy are in full 

march on Washington.

—Secretary of State 

James Monroe

When President James Madison received this 

message, he rushed to join the troops while 

the city was being evacuated. First Lady Dolley 

Madison remained at the White House packing 

state papers, silverware, and other valuables. 

At the last minute she realized she could not 

leave the full-length Gilbert Stuart portrait of 

George Washington behind, so she had her 

staff break the frame and remove the canvas. 

Once it was added to a cart, they were off!
5

1846: First known photograph is taken 

of the White House. 

1902: President Theodore Roosevelt’s family 

is so large that he has to move the offices out 

of the residence, and builds the West Wing as 

a ‘temporary’ office building. 

1948–1952: President Harry Truman renovates 

the interior of the White House and adds two 

underground levels. 

2000: The 

White House 

celebrates 

the 200th 

anniversary 

of its first 

occupancy.

White House Fun Facts

★

★

★ ★

★ ★ ★

★

★

★

Did you know...President Benjamin Harrison 

had electric wiring added to the White House, but 

was so afraid of his new electric lights that he had 

an electrician turn them on and off for him?

5

President George Washington
6

Vermeil Room

China Room

State Dining Room

Green Room

Entrance Hall

Blue Room

Red Room

Visiting the White House

Cross Hall
7

Did you know...the White House is the 

President’s home, the President’s office, 

and a free museum? It’s the only building 

in the world that is all three!

Go bird watching inside

the White House!

Just as the White House 

is a symbol of leadership, 

the American eagle is 

a symbol of national 

strength and pride. Use 

your eagle eyes to see 

how many eagles you 

can find on paintings, 

furniture, and other 

places as you tour the 

White House.

First Floor

Ground Floor

Library

East Room

White House Fun Facts

★

★

★ ★

★ ★ ★

★

★

★

National Park Service Ranger
8

The Ground Floor 

The spaces on this ground floor have had 

many uses over the years. At various times you 

might have seen a small fire engine for James 

Monroe, a rowboat for John Quincy Adams, 

heating furnaces, kitchen stoves, laundry 

tubs, White House cooks, or the children of 

Ulysses S. Grant playing on a rainy day. 

The Library

The White House Library has approximately 2,700 books 

written by American authors or about American subjects. 

These shelves are filled with history, science, biography and 

fiction. The library books can be checked out by the first 

family. The first library in the White House was established 

by First Lady Abigail Fillmore, who was also a teacher. 

The Library also has portraits of Native American leaders 

who visited the White House in 1822.

Did you know...when my father 

Theodore Roosevelt was president, our 

whole family loved reading and we always 

had a book or magazine with us? We liked 

to stretch out on the floor, flat on our 

stomachs, reading our books.

 What do you like to read about? What is 

your favorite book? If you were living in the 

White House, what book would you want to 

have in this library?

White House Fun Facts

★

★

★ ★

★ ★ ★

★

★

★

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.

Morbi vitae tellus orci.Namet sagittis turpis. Praesent scelerisque,nunc a blandit rutrum, velit aliquet lacus tincidunt vitae

id adipiscing lectus enima dolor.Vivamus interdum, dui ut auctor vehicula, ipsumelit ante, et sollicitudin ut risus tortor condimentum

tortor tortor sed dolor. Pellentesque vehicula ornare bibendum.Vivamus nunc , varius sed rhoncus consequat, condimentum

gravida nonmi.Nunc rutrum, sapien vel posuere rutrum, ipsumelit faucibus ipsum, ac sagittis est tortor vehicula tortor auctor

inmassa. Vivamus sed tortor id felis tincidunt vitae sed enim. Phasellusmalesuada purus, et posuere id adipiscing lectus enima dolor.

egestas et. Phasellus ut risus eget tortor condimentumsollicitudin sit amet id nulla.Nullamvulputate posuer , sapien vel posue

inmassa. Vivamus sed tortor id felis tincidunt vitae sed enim. Phasellusmalesuada purus, et posueremassa Phasellusmalesuada purus,

egestas et. Phasellus ut risus eget tortor condimentumsollicitudin sit amet id nulla.Nullamvulputate posuere posuere rutrum, faucibus

Sapien lobortis venenatis. Pellentesque adipiscing, ipsumvitae tristique rutrum,mi loremlorem,mollis vel posuere rutrum, ipsum

auctormagna ipsumvel urna.Maecenas erosmauris, hendrerit non lobortis venenatis, fermentumvitae nibh. Adipiscing lectus a dolor

id adipiscing lectus enima dolor.Vivamus interdum, dui ut auctor vehicula, ipsumelit ante, et sollicitudin tortor id tincidunt vitae sed

tortor tortor sed dolor. Pellentesque vehicula ornare bibendum.Vivamus nunc , varius sed rhoncus consequat, tortor condimentum

gravida nonmi.Nunc rutrum, sapien vel posuere rutrum, ipsumelit faucibus ipsum, ac sagittis est tortor vehiculaNunc rutrum,

inmassa. Vivamus sed tortor id felis tincidunt vitae sed enim. Phasellusmalesuada purus, et posueremassa dipiscing lectus enima dolo

Phasellus ut risus eget tortor condimentumsollicitudin sit amet id nulla.Nullamvulputate posuere vitae . Maecenas erosmauris

nisi ut sapien lobortis venenatis. Pellentesque adipiscing, ipsumvitae tristique rutrum,mi lorem,mollis sollicitudin sit amet id nulla

auctormagna ipsumvel urna.Maecenas erosmauris, hendrerit non lobortis venenatis, fermentumvitae nibh. Nullamvulputate posuere

roM vib eati sullet maN.icro P.siprut sitti gaste euqsirelecstnesear b a cnun, murturtidnal ev, atil uqil te cal su nit ic ud tn iv at e

di cel sut mine V.rolod a mudretni sumavi cuatuiud, ucihevrot muspi ,al uticilloste,etnatile u nid rt usi t s ro ot c r no mid ne mut

pluv etatu rotrot od des rotrot uqsetnelleP.rol eranro alucihev e av, cnunsumavi V. mudnebib uir s s de hr no uc s oc sn qe au ,t

arg adiv mnon cnuN.i v neipas, murtur gas ca , muspi subicuaf tile muspi , murtur ereusople sitti tse rot ot vr he uci al

ni am ss .a vi V ma s su ot de di rotr cnit silef ne des eativtnudi reusopte,surup adauselamsullesahP. mi a di e sipid gnic cel sut ne mi a od ol .r

ge se at e s P.t sah ulle tus ge susir dnoc rotrot te os mutnemi p etatupluv malluN.allun di tematis niduticill euso N. er cnu s, pa nei ev pl so eu

ni am ass V. mavi ot des su nudicnit silef di rotr amsullesahP. mine des eativt adausel surup pte, euso mer ssa Pa ah es ull ms la se au ad up ur ,s

ge se at e s P.t esah rtusull oc rotrot tege susi matis niduticillos mutnemidn un di te N.all mallu pluv atu p et uso ere op us re e ur urt , m af cu bi su

aS eip l n obo sitr enev P.sitan euqsetnelle muspi ,gnicsipida m, merol merol i m, murtur euqitsirt eativ sillo lev sop reu r e rtu mu , pi mus

ga an spi mu ulev M.anr ore sanecea nontirerdneh, s hbin eativ mutnemref ,sitanenevsitrobol dA. csipi gni cel sut d a olo r

di da pi csi gni cel sut mine rolod a sumavi V. ud, mudretni hevrotcuatui cilloste,etnatile muspi ,aluci duti ni rot rot di nit dic nu vt ati e es d

ot otr t r tro s ro d de P.rolo uqsetnelle eranro alucihev e nohr des suirav, cnunsumavi V. mudnebib c suc esno auq ,t rot rot oc dn mi ne mut

arg div n a mno nuN.i murtur c ev neipas, ur ereusopl ca , muspi subicuaf tile muspi , murt ittigas tse s rot rot hev uci Nal nu c ur rt mu ,

ni am ss V.a mavi es su i rotrot d msullesahP. mine des eativtnudicnit silef d pte,surup adausela mereuso assa pid csi gni cel ut e s min a od ol

hP sa ulle us usirt ot tege s uN.allun di tematis niduticillos mutnemidnoc rotr atupluv mall usop et v ere eati M. cea ne sa re so am ru si

in is tu pas nei robol da euqsetnelleP.sitanenev sit v muspi ,gnicsipi ur euqitsirt eati m, murt merol i om, sill los cil uti nid tis ma te di un all

gam pi an msore saneceaM.anrulev mus sitrobol nontirerdneh,sirua sitanenev mref , mutne ativ n e hbi N. llu ma uv upl at et op us re e
9

 Which of these pieces of White House 

china do you like best? If you were the 

President of the United States, how would 

you decorate your china?

The Vermeil Room

This room used to be a ladies’ coat room, but 

is now a gallery for vermeil and first ladies’ 

portraits. Vermeil is a French word that is 

pronounced “vehr-may.” They are silver 

dishes coated with a thin layer of gold. The White House 

has the second largest collection in the world (1,575 pieces), 

received as a gift in 1958.

The China Room

This room once housed a “fireman,” but 

he didn’t put out fires —he kept one burning! 

It was his job to manage the White House furnace. 

First Lady Edith Wilson was the first to display 

china in this room in 1917. Many presidents have 

chosen custom designed china to use for official 

entertaining. A number of those patterns are 

displayed here. 

Are you using 

your eagle eyes?

 Can you name one first lady whose portrait 

you see in this room or in the hallway?

President Hayes President Lincoln

President Clinton
10

The State Floor

The East Room

This is the largest room in the White House, 

and was designed to be a public audience 

chamber. When First Lady Abigail Adams 

moved into the White House in 1800, the 

East Room was still unfinished and was 

used to hang laundry. It has been the setting 

for weddings, performances, and many 

other historic events. 

The Green Room

This room, which is now furnished as a parlor and used for 

receptions, served as President Thomas Jefferson’s dining 

room. The President and First Lady sometimes have meetings 

here, and guests still might enjoy an informal lunch, dinner, or 

tea served in this room today.

Can you find the 

famous portrait of 

George Washington that First 

Lady Dolley Madison saved? 

Can you find this silver coffee urn, 

owned by John and Abigail Adams?

True or False? Which of the following 

statements about the East Room do you think 

are true? (Answers on pg. 24)

1. Five presidents’ daughters have been married 

in the East Room.

2. Elvis Presley once performed for President 

Dwight D. Eisenhower in the East Room.

3. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed by 

President Lyndon B. Johnson and witnessed 

by Martin Luther King, Jr. in the East Room.

4. Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch and Bert & 

Ernie performed in the East Room during a 

children’s diplomatic party in 1978.
11

The Blue Room

Just like the president’s office, the Blue 

Room is oval-shaped. Traditionally a 

reception room, a candlelit Blue Room was the 

setting for Grover Cleveland’s marriage to Frances 

Folsom in June 1886. He was the only president to 

marry in the White House.

The Red Room

The Red Room has been used as a 

music room, a breakfast room, a first lady’s sitting room 

or parlor, and a setting for small dinners and receptions. 

Did you know...the chandelier in the Blue 

Room has to be taken down every year when 

the White House Christmas tree is placed there? 

The ceiling is high enough for an 18-foot tree!

Are you using 

your eagle eyes?

Can you find this portrait of President William 

Howard Taft? Did you know in 1910 he was the 

first president to throw the first pitch of the baseball 

season? Who is your favorite baseball team? 

 Remember First Lady Dolley Madison who saved 

President George Washington’s portrait when the White 

House burned? She also served ice cream at receptions in 

the Red Room. Can you find this portrait of her? 

White House Fun Facts

★

★

★ ★

★ ★ ★

★

★

★

National Park Service Ranger
12

The State Dining Room

The State Dining Room is used for official state dinners, and can seat 

up to 140 people. President Jefferson used part of this space as his 

office, but in 1902 an interior wall was knocked down to make the 

large room you see today. 

John Adams, our second president, was actually the first 

president to live in the White House. On his second night 

there, he wrote a 

letter to his wife 

Abigail which 

included a line that 

was later carved 

into the mantel of 

the fireplace.

Did you know...the North Entrance door used 

to be open to the public? In 1837 President Andrew 

Jackson invited the public in to share a giant wedge 

of cheese he had been given. It was 4 feet round, 

2 feet thick, and weighed 1,400 pounds!

Are you using 

your eagle eyes?

Menu for Dinner Given by

Mrs. Abraham Lincoln

February 5, 1862

J

Stewed & scalloped oysters

Boned & truffle-stuffed turkey

Pate de foie gras

Aspic of tongue

Canvasback duck

Partridge •Fillet of beef

Ham •Venison

Pheasant •Terrapin

Chicken salad •Sandwiches

Jellies •Cakes •Ices

Champagne punch

Can you find the Steinway piano given to the White House in 1938? 

Many presidents and famous musicians, including Richard Nixon and 

Stevie Wonder, have played it. If you were having a party at the White 

House, whom would you like to play here?

What would you serve to your guests if 

you were the President? And whom would 

you invite as your guest of honor?

White House Fun Facts

★

★

★ ★

★ ★ ★

★

★

★

White House Chef Cris Comerford

I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this 

house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none 

but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof. The Entrance Hall and Cross Hall

This is the White House’s grand reception area. 

There have been many changes in 200 years, but it is still used for receptions and 

entertaining. A grand staircase was first added in Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency. 

Today, portraits of recent presidents hang here. 
13

N

Get

Active

in DC

THE ELLIPSE

Washington

Monument

Sherman

Park

White HouseVisitor’s Center

National 

Archives

OldPostOffice

US Capitol

Visitor Center

US CAPITOL

SUPREME

COURT THE MALL

WHITE

HOUSE

Lafayette Park

Constitution Ave NW Constitution Ave NW

East Capitol St 

PA Ave NW

PA Ave NW

E St NW

E St NW

Pennsylvania Ave NW

1st St NW

1st St NE

Deleware Ave NE

New Jersey Ave NW

3rd St NW

6th St NW

7th St NW

9th St NW

10th St NW

12th St NW

13th St NW

14th St NW

15th St NW 15th St NW

Thanks for touring the 

White House! 

Now that you have left the White House, you 

can extend your visit by going to the White 

House Visitors Center at 1450 Pennsylvania 

Avenue, and/or by doing some of the 

following activities. 

Get Active!

You have just seen where the First Family 

lives. Now explore the city they live in! 

Washington, DC is a great city for walking, 

with lots of museums and monuments close 

to each other. You might want to start by 

taking a walk around President’s Park, which 

includes Lafayette Park, the Ellipse, and 

Sherman Park.

Feeling ambitious? Now that you’ve visited 

the home of the President, who is in charge 

of the executive branch of government, go 

see the other two branches of government by 

taking a walk to the Capitol, the seat of the 

legislative branch, and the Supreme Court, 

the seat of the judicial branch. This route is 

the same route that the president follows after 

inauguration—but in reverse. (This is a 2-mile 

walk, with many possible stops along the way, 

including the White House Visitor Center and 

the US Capitol Visitor Center at East Capitol & 

1st St. NE.)

Stay Active!

Where do you like to explore by your home? 

Do you know where your nearest playground 

is? Go to www.letsmove.gov/wheretogo.php 

and find out!
14

Champions for Change 

Unlike the president, the first lady’s duties and responsibilities are not outlined 

in the Constitution of the United States. This provides a unique opportunity for each 

first lady to define her role. Which first lady is described in each statement below?

Write the matching number of each first lady’s 

cause in the circle next to her picture. 

Who Am I?

1. This first lady taught school and established the 

White House Library in 1851. 

2. The wife of our 40th president campaigned in 

the 1980s to “Just Say No” to drugs. 

3. The 19th Amendment giving women the right to 

vote was ratified in 1920. A decade earlier, she was 

the first first lady to support women’s suffrage.

4. This first lady co-authored a book with her 

dog, titled Millie’s Book (1990), and worked to 

promote literacy. 

5. Living in the White House during World War 

II, this first lady transformed the office, holding 

press conferences, traveling widely, giving 

lectures and radio broadcasts, and writing her 

own daily opinion column in a newspaper.

6. In the early 1960s, this first lady’s efforts brought 

national attention to the need of preserving and 

restoring the art and furnishings of the historic 

White House. 

Jacqueline Kennedy

1961–1963

Nancy Reagan

1981–1989

Abigail Fillmore

1850–1853

Barbara Bush 

1989–1993

Eleanor Roosevelt 

1933–1945

Helen “Nellie” Taft

1909–1913

White House Fun Facts

★

★

★ ★

★ ★ ★

★

★

★

First Lady Elizabeth Truman

Did you know...my husband, President Harry 

Truman, used to introduce me as “the Boss,” and 

our daughter Margaret as “the Boss’s Boss?”
15

Circle the following words hidden in the word search. 

Remember to search up and down, across, diagonally, 

forwards and backwards.

White House President Eagle

Rose Garden First Lady Library

Wedding Hoban Art

China Room Turkey Bowling Alley

White House Word Search

M N Y L I B R A R Y W Y C

O E E D A O O R A D H B R

O O K R A W G P A B E G O

R S R O N L H R U A F G S

A H U W H I T E H O U S E

N S T I N N A S H I N N G

I N I L A G I I R A H T A

H D A B L A H D R I Y R R

C G O E H L A E T R F L D

E H O A I L R N E E N W E

G N I D D E W T G R K E N

O E L A T Y D R N E N I Y

T A F G W A E W R A E D R

Did you know...I was the first 

president to have a beard?

White House Fun Facts

★

★

★ ★

★ ★ ★

★

★

★

President Abraham Lincoln
16

Now that you have seen inside and outside, as well as the front and back of the 

President’s house, you know that the White House looks different from every side. 

In the space below, record your observations, feelings and experiences from your 

visit to the White House. Use your imagination and draw a picture, write a poem, 

describe a small moment, or make a list of all the animals you saw in furniture, 

statues and pictures!

South side of the White House, (1928)

North side of the White House, (2003–Current series)

16
17

Did you know...when he lived in the 

 White House, President Thomas Jefferson’s 

favorite pet was his mockingbird named 

Dick? He also had two bear cubs, given to 

him by the explorers Lewis and Clark.

Fur and Scales

Through the years many beloved pets and animals have lived in the White House and 

roamed its grounds. Look at the statements below and match the animal they describe 

with the pictures below. You just might be surprised by some of the answers!

What Am I?

1. This “living dinosaur” roamed the White House 

during President John Quincy Adams’ term.

2. Caroline Kennedy might have been humming 

an American classic when she came up with 

her pet’s name, “Yankee Doodle went to town, 

a-riding on a _____, stuck a feather in his cap and 

called it, Macaroni!” 

3. Rebecca was the name for this “masked bandit of 

the woods” who was the companion of First Lady 

Grace Coolidge. 

4. President Abraham Lincoln was the first to grant 

this animal a pardon, just before he was to be the 

main course at the holiday feast. His son Tad then 

adopted the animal and named him Jack. 

White House Fun Facts

★

★

★ ★

★ ★ ★

★

★

★

17 Bo Obama
18

Fitness and Fun with the First Family

Throughout its history, the White House South Lawn has served as a yard for first 

families where they have enjoyed all kinds of recreational activities. In this picture of 

the South Lawn, find and circle the following small pictures of equipment real first 

families have used there.

White House Fun Facts

★

★

★ ★

★ ★ ★

★

★

★

Did you know...when I moved into the White House 

with my parents, President Jimmy Carter and First Lady 

Rosalynn Carter, I was in 3rd grade? I missed my home 

in Georgia, but my father designed a treehouse in the 

backyard of the White House where I loved to play.

Amy Carter

gardener’s 

trowel

jump rope

bicycle

dog

baseball bat

tennis racket

golf club

hoop

sled

basketball

18
19

A lot of progress has been made in 

technology since President John Adams 

first moved into the White House in 1800.

Look at the list below of technological 

objects and innovations, with the date they 

were first installed at the White House. Then 

match each one with the president who was 

in the White House at that time. Write the 

number of the matching technology in the 

circle next to the president’s picture. 

1. Water closet (indoor toilet): 1801 

2. Hot and cold running water: 1853

3. Telephone: 1877

4. Electric lights: 1891 

5. Television: 1947 

6. Solar Energy: 1979 

Harry 

Truman

Jimmy 

Carter

Benjamin 

Harrison

Thomas 

Jefferson

Rutherford 

B. Hayes

Franklin 

Pierce

Technology Firsts

 at the White House

Did you know...the first 

telephone number for the 

White House was 1? 

White House Fun Facts

★

★

★ ★

★ ★ ★

★

★

★

1945–1953

1853–1857

1889–1893

1877–1881

1977–1981

1801–1809

White House Operator
20

The ABC’s of Architecture

on the South Side of the White House

What style of architecture is the White House? Built between 1792 and 

1800, the White House reflects the preferences of our first president, George 

Washington. Designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban, it is a grand 

mansion in the neo-classical Georgian style with details that echo classical 

Greek Ionic architecture.

While it has changed a lot in the past 200 years, George Washington would 

still recognize his chosen design. Look closely at the drawing below of the 

south side of the White House, which can be seen from the Ellipse. See if 

you can find the following architectural elements, and write the letter of each 

element on the proper place in the picture.

A. Balustrade: a rail and row of posts that support it. 

B. Column: a vertical support that is usually cylindrical.

C. Window Hood: horizontal, decorative molding above a window 

D. Portico: a walkway or porch supported by columns. 

9
21

F ir st Fa m i l Y Puzzle

DOWN

1 Amy Carter loved to play in this ______________ in her “backyard” when she lived at the 

White House.

2 This pooch helped First Lady Barbara Bush write a book.

4 Before Gerald Ford became president, he held this job for a summer at Yellowstone 

National Park. 

6 You might use it every day, but the White House didn’t have one of these until 1877.

8 This first lady saved a famous portrait of George Washington when the White House 

burned in 1814.

9 They love honey, and Thomas Jefferson had two of them when he was president.

ACROSS

3 President Andrew Jackson shared a 

huge wedge of this in 1837. 

5 A pony kept at the White House for 

Caroline Kennedy.

7 The Clevelands are the only first 

couple to have this ceremony 

performed in the White House.

10 This is a symbol of national strength 

and pride, and you can spot lots of 

them in the White House. 

You can find all the answers to this puzzle 

throughout the pages of this guide book. 1

2

3

4

5 6

7 8

9

10

21
22 11

1. Arrowhead A. Wildlife

2. National Park Service B. Vegetation

3. Mountain C. U.S. Government Agency

4. Sequoia Tree and Grass D. History and Archaeology

5. Lake E. Land Formations

6. Bison F. Clean Water

Draw a line 

to match each 

part of the 

Arrowhead 

with what it 

stands for. 

Suggested At-Home Activity: Design your own arrowhead for the White House. 

What do you think should be represented?

Arrowhead Activity

National Parks are managed by the National Park Service, which is part of the federal 

government. But who owns the national parks? All Americans, even you! As a Junior 

Ranger, you have an important responsibility to help take care of your national parks.

National park sites are located throughout the United States, including in the middle 

of our nation’s capital! The entire park system includes over 80 million acres of land. 

Individual sites come in all shapes and sizes, such as national parks, monuments, 

memorials, battlefields, historic sites, recreation areas, rivers, lakeshores, seashores, 

scenic trails, preserves, military parks, and parkways.

All of our national parks have one thing in common, though; they 

are set aside “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic 

objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment 

of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them 

unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

The National Park Service arrowhead is a symbol of 

stewardship — it reminds us of the reasons we protect park 

resources for the future.

Arrowhead Activities

Can you find these items in the arrowhead above?
12 23

Want to Learn More?

Junior Ranger Programs

Are you interested in exploring? Do you like art, science, history or nature? How about animals, 

sailing ships, dinosaurs or trains? Would you like to learn more about the national parks that 

belong to you? Find out more about National Park Service Junior Ranger programs at: 

www.nps.gov/learn

WebRanger Programs

As a WebRanger you will have one important job: 

to have fun while learning new things. You will 

solve mysteries and puzzles, play games, take part 

in stories, and gather secret works while exploring 

some of the greatest places on earth! Find out 

more about National Park Service WebRanger 

programs at: www.nps.gov/webrangers

The White House

If you want to learn more about the history of 

this national treasure or current events in today’s 

White House, start at these great sites:

www.whitehouse.gov 

www.whitehousehistory.org 

This Junior Ranger Booklet is made possible

through the generosity of the White House Historical

Association, a private, non-profit educational

organization, and the National Park Service.

Illustration Credits

OWH: Official White House Photo LC: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division NPS: National Park Service 

WHHA: White House Historical Association WHHA-WH: White House Historical Association (White House Collection)

cover OWH by Chuck Kennedy (Bo at WH) Inside cover OWH by Joyce Boghosian (First Lady Michelle Obama) Page 3 OWH by Paul Morse (WH, detail) Page 4

WHHA (Washington inspects WH); WHHA (burning of WH) Page 5 LC (WH, detail); LC (T. Roosevelt family, detail); Abbie Rowe, NPS (bulldozer in WH, detail); Clinton 

Presidential Library (WH celebrates bicentennial, detail) Page 6-7 WHHA (cutaway view of WH, detail) Page 7 Photograph by Erik Kvalsvik for WHHA (eagle carving) 

Page 8 LC (Harrison's cook Dolly Johnson in kitchen); WHHA-WH (Pawnee Chief Petalesharro, detail) Page 9 Photograph by Bruce White for WHHA (wine cooler); 

Photo by Will Brown, copyright WHHA (Hayes china, detail); WHHA (Clinton china, detail); Photo by Will Brown, copyright WHHA (Lincoln china, detail) Page 10

WHHA (Adams hanging wash in WH, detail); WHHA-WH (Washington, detail); Photograph by Bruce White, Courtesy WHHA (tea & coffee urn) Page 11 LC (Cleveland's 

marriage, detail); WHHA-WH (Taft, detail); WHHA-WH (Dolley Madison, detail) Page 12 WHHA-WH (WH Prayer, detail) Page 13 OWH by Chuck Kennedy (WH, detail) 

Page 14 LC (first ladies) Page 19 LC (presidents) Page 20 WHHA (WH, detail) Inside back cover OWH by Chuck Kennedy (WH, detail)

Contact

President’s Park (White House)

c/o Junior Ranger Program

Room 344

1100 Ohio Drive, SW

Washington, DC 20242

(202) 208-1631

www.nps.gov/whho

Directions from the White House to 

the White House Visitor's Center:

Once you exit the White House, immediately turn 

right on Pennsylvania Ave. Walk one block, past the 

Treasury Department, and turn right onto 15th St. 

Continue south on 15th St. for about 4 blocks. 

When you reach E St., turn left and cross 15th St.

The Visitor’s Center is on the corner of 15th and 

E St., in the Department of Commerce building, 

facing Pershing Park. Look for the blue awning with 

“White House Visitors Center” in white lettering.
24

B

D

A

C

T

R M

C H E E S E I

E L

R H L

M A C A R O N I P

N U E H

G S O

E W E D D I N G

R O E

B L

E L

E A G L E

R Y

S

10

2

7 8

5 6

4

3

9

1

Answers

True/False Game (pg. 10)

1. True; 2. False; 3. True;

4. False – it was just Big Bird 

Champions for Change (pg. 14)

1. Abigail Fillmore

2. Nancy Reagan

3. Helen “Nellie” Taft

4. Barbara Bush

5. Eleanor Roosevelt

6. Jacqueline Kennedy

White House Word Search (pg. 15)

First Family Puzzle 

(pg. 21) First Family Fitness (pg. 18)

Fur and Scales (pg. 17) 

1. Alligator; 2. Pony; 3. Raccoon; 4. Turkey

Technology Firsts at the White House (pg. 19)

1. Water closet = Thomas Jefferson

2. Hot and cold running water = Franklin Pierce

3. Telephone = Rutherford B. Hayes

4. Electric Lights = Benjamin Harrison

5. Television = Harry Truman

6. Solar Energy = Jimmy Carter

Arrowhead Activities (pg. 22)

1. Arrowhead = D. History and Archaeology 

2. National Park Service = C. U.S. Government Agency 

3. Mountain = E. Land Formations 

4. Sequoia Tree and Grass = Vegetation 

5. Lake = F. Clean Water

6. Bison = A. Wildlife

The ABC’s of Architecture (pg. 20)
CONGRATULATIONS!!! 

Great work!

Junior Ranger SignatureRanger/Parent Signature

★

★

★

★

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

★

★

★

★

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

White House Passport Stamp

available at the White House Visitor Center

Junior Ranger PledgeI, ______________________________, am proud to be a National Park Service Junior Ranger. I promise to appreciate, respect, and protect all National Parks. I also promise to continue learning about the landscape, plants, animals, and history of these special places. I will share what I learn with my friends and family.
15

The White House

Junior Ranger Activity Guide

The White House

White House Visitor Center

1450 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, D.C. 20230

(202) 208-1631

www.nps.gov/whho

WHITE HOUSE

PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL