By: Munira Ahmadad

Two things U.S. President Calvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge is known for is being straightforward and quiet, and having a pet Racoon named Rebecca.

Rebecca was initially a Thanksgiving meal gift. Coolidge had been gifted Thanksgiving meal gifts from farmers against his permission, his opposition to the tradition made news in 1923, in the New York Times article “Coolidge Refuses Gift Turkey; Wants to Discourage Custom”.

One of the unwanted gifts he received was a female Racoon. Rather than eating her, Calvin Coolidge chose to keep her as a pet and give her the name Rebecca.

Rebecca was given the title of White House Raccoon and had her own little house. She was given a collar for Christmas with her title on it, and was given free range in the White House.

The raccoon would go on to do whatever she pleased. First Lady Grace described Rebecca as a pet that lived with liberty and had a mischievous personality.

As Rebecca gained American popularity, the public began wanting her to have a partner. After being captured by a White House officer, a male raccoon was introduced to the White House to be Rebecca’s boyfriend. He was named Horace but Coolidge didn’t like that name and swapped it to Rueben.

Rueben was not very interested in being Rebecca’s boyfriend as he escaped several times and eventually when he could not be found after running away again, Rebecca’s life as the only White House Raccoon returned to usual.

After Coolidge’s departure from presidency, Rebecca was sent to live with other raccoons at Rock Creek Zoo.

For more information, please visit:

• https://www.whitehousehistory.org/raccoons-at-the-white-house