The White House's Movie Magic: A Theater's Last Curtain Call

The White House has lost a piece of its cinematic history. The Family Theater, a cozy spot for presidents and their guests to enjoy films, is gone. It was torn down to make space for a new ballroom.

A Big Deal

This theater was a big deal. It started as a cloakroom in 1942. Over the years, it became a favorite hangout for many presidents.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt was one of the first to enjoy it. He liked watching war news reels there. He even said that entertainment is super important, especially during tough times.

Before the theater, Woodrow Wilson used to project movies onto the East Room walls. Pretty cool, right?

Different Presidents, Different Tastes

Different presidents had different tastes.

• Jimmy Carter wanted only family-friendly films, but he accidentally showed an X-rated movie once. Oops!
• Ronald Reagan loved movies too. He even joked about "E. T. " being totally real.

The theater had a few makeovers over the years. It went from green chairs to white ones, and finally, all red.

More Than Just Movies

But it wasn't just about the movies. The theater was a place for presidents to relax and have fun. Bill Clinton called it the best perk of the job. It was a spot for both official events and private screenings.

Sadly, it's now part of history.

Other Historic Features Lost

The theater wasn't the only thing lost. Other historic features of the East Wing are also gone. This wing was once the First Lady's office. It had a portico and a colonnade. Now, it's making way for a $300 million ballroom.

Some people might wonder if this is a good trade. After all, history is hard to replace.