In 1926, President Calvin Coolidge and his family welcomed an unusual addition to the White House: a pet raccoon named Rebecca. The animal was gifted to the president by a Mississippi man with the intention that it would be served at the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner. However, Rebecca quickly endeared herself to the Coolidge family and became a beloved companion rather than a meal.

Rebecca accompanied the president and his family to a variety of White House events and even on vacations, gaining recognition for her distinctive behavior. She developed a fondness for playing with soap in the bathtub, a habit that highlighted her playful nature. At the same time, Rebecca demonstrated a mischievous streak, frequently escaping from the White House grounds and attracting public attention. One notable incident occurred in December 1927, when she reportedly engaged in a midnight escapade that was widely reported in local media, with descriptions suggesting she had “disgraced herself.”

Her mischievousness extended to an incident in 1927 when she bit President Coolidge, prompting her temporary relocation to a nearby zoo. Despite this, Rebecca spent the bulk of her time living at the White House during Coolidge’s tenure. After the president’s term ended, the raccoon was donated permanently to the zoo, where she continued to reside.

Rebecca’s story has been highlighted in recent years as part of a broader interest in raccoons, underscoring her unique role in Washington, D.C. history. Her presence at the White House remains a curious footnote, illustrating a lighter side to presidential life in the 1920s. The Library of Congress has noted Rebecca’s story as a notable example of the Capitol’s enduring fascination with its animal inhabitants, both symbolic and beloved.