Stuff You Missed in History Class: "Unusual White House Pets"

Release Date: December 8, 2025
Hosts: Holly Frey & Tracy V. Wilson
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Holly and Tracy take listeners on a journey through some of the strangest and most intriguing animals ever kept as pets (or almost-pets) at the White House. Instead of the usual canine or feline residents, this discussion focuses on wild and unusual creatures—from raccoons and alligators to parrots and turkeys—shedding light on presidential personalities, the quirks of history, and a fair bit of myth-busting along the way.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Criteria and Scope of the Episode

[03:55] Holly Fry:

• No dogs or cats discussed; no mention of Teddy Roosevelt’s extensive menagerie.
  • "There are no dogs or cats on this list...none of the Teddy Roosevelt menagerie is on here...Wild animals are not supposed to be pets."
• Emphasizes that listeners should not emulate these historical pet choices.

2. The John Quincy Adams Alligator Myth

[04:53–08:39]

• Widely believed (even mentioned on a Snapple lid and the White House website) that Adams kept a live alligator in the East Room bathroom.
• Holly and Tracy debunk the story:
  • Rooted in an 1888 account by Harriet Taylor Upton, who describes Lafayette bringing “some live alligators” as curiosities during his White House visit.
  • Misreading of the story led to the myth that the alligators belonged to Adams.
  • Even official displays (2002 White House Christmas decor) repeated this error.
  • No primary evidence in Adams’s own meticulous notes or diaries.

Tracy: "There is literally nothing to back up this story. Adams is well known for keeping detailed notes and diaries, and there's no mention of an alligator." (05:01)

Holly: "A lot of people have tried to hunt down the origin... includes this mention of a visit from French General Lafayette... some live alligators being among them....it sounds like those live alligators were gifts to Lafayette, not from him to President Adams." (05:58)

3. Tad Lincoln and the Pardoned Turkey “Jack”

[09:19–14:51]

• Lincoln’s rambunctious son Tad is a focus, notorious for mischief.
  • Charged visitors to see his father, wore military uniforms, and was generally “precocious.”
• In 1863, a turkey gifted to the Lincolns for Christmas dinner became Tad’s beloved pet “Jack.”
• Tad begged his father to spare Jack; Lincoln issued a handwritten pardon.
  • Jack followed Tad like a pet and reportedly lived another year.
  • Today commemorated by a statue in Hartford, CT.

Tracy: “He cried and he said to his father, ‘I can't help it, he's a good turkey and I don't want him killed.’ And in line with how often the President gave in to his youngest son, Lincoln wrote this turkey a pardon.” (13:06)

Holly: “This bird basically followed this kid everywhere. He was like his little avian shadow.” (12:44)

4. Andrew Jackson’s Profane Parrot “Pol”

[18:26–23:20]

• In 1827, Jackson bought an African gray parrot, “Pol,” for his wife Rachel.
• Pol stayed at their home, The Hermitage, but Jackson was reportedly very fond, frequently asking about the bird in letters home.
• A single (much later) account claims during Jackson’s 1845 funeral, Pol became excited and began swearing so loudly and for so long as to disturb proceedings—had to be removed!
  • The main source for this story is a reminiscence published 75+ years after the funeral, by someone who attended as a teenager.
  • Possible confusion over whether this was the officiating minister; was actually another attendee.

Tracy: “A wicked parrot that was a household pet got excited and commenced swearing so loud and long as to disturb the people and had to be carried from the house.” (20:24)

Holly: “I want to be cremated, but part of me wants a headstone that just says fat and saucy as ever.” (19:57)

• The story’s questionable reliability is discussed, but it fits Jackson’s well-known colorful language.

5. Rebecca Raccoon: Calvin Coolidge’s Unintended Pet

[23:20–39:24]

• Rebecca the raccoon was sent to the Coolidges in 1926 from Mississippi, intended as Thanksgiving dinner (then a delicacy in some regions).
  • The Coolidges, never having eaten raccoon, instead adopted her as a pet.
• Rebecca had a custom enclosure, enjoyed baths, and roamed the house (sometimes on a leash for events).
• Regular subject of lighthearted newspaper coverage—riding in limousines, “escaping” into trees, and featured in political cartoons.
• Rebecca was briefly exiled to the National Zoo after apparently biting President Coolidge (who appeared in public with a bandaged hand), but was soon allowed back.
  • She was a highlight of the 1927 White House Easter Egg Roll.

Grace Coolidge (via Holly): "She was a mischievous, inquisitive party, and we had to keep watch of her. When she was in the house, she enjoyed nothing better than being placed in a bathtub with a little water in it and given a cake of soap with which to play." (26:49)

• Later, efforts were made to introduce her to a companion, Reuben the raccoon, but he quickly escaped, and newspapers speculated about their failed “relationship.”
• Rebecca eventually went to live at the National Zoo; her ultimate fate is unknown.

6. The Aftermath: Billy Possum and Unusual Presidential Pets

[39:24–40:07]

• After the Coolidges left, Herbert Hoover’s family adopted a possum found on White House grounds—Billy Possum—housed in Rebecca’s former enclosure.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Tracy, debunking myths:
  "There is literally nothing to back up this story..." (05:01)

• Holly, on presidential wild pets:
  "Wild animals are not supposed to be pets. So while these stories in some cases involve wild animals that get adopted, that is a bad idea." (04:22)

• On Tad Lincoln’s pardoned turkey:
  "The kindest descriptions of him describe him as precocious. He does seem to have been kind hearted as well as rambunctious." (10:48)

• Holly, on Rebecca the raccoon’s popularity:
  "Basically, anything the raccoon did was a headline." (28:09)

• Grace Coolidge (as read by Holly):
  "Rebecca had lived alone and had her own way so long that I fear she was a little overbearing and dictatorial." (38:36)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:55] – Criteria and scope of pets discussed
• [04:53] – John Quincy Adams’s mythical alligator
• [09:19] – The story of Tad Lincoln and Jack the turkey
• [18:26] – Andrew Jackson’s swearing parrot, Pol
• [23:20] – Introduction and background on Rebecca Raccoon
• [29:00] – Rebecca’s wild behavior and mishaps
• [32:31] – Rebecca’s travel with the Coolidges and infamous escapes
• [36:29] – Introduction of Reuben, Rebecca’s would-be companion
• [39:24] – Hoover’s possum and fading out

Episode Tone

The hosts maintain a friendly, conversational, and humorous tone, mixing careful myth-busting with fascinating anecdotes and lively storytelling. Warnings against keeping wild animals as pets are repeated, but so is genuine affection for the odd historical events and personalities highlighted.

Conclusion

This episode offers a delightful and occasionally cautionary look at the unusual menagerie of animals connected to American presidents—dispelling myths, spotlighting peculiar presidential pets, and adding colorful context to “stuff you missed in history class.” The hosts’ warmth and inquisitiveness make for an engaging listen and a new appreciation for the quirkier side of White House history.