Since the early 20th century, motion pictures have been captivating audiences everywhere. With the advent of television and its steady march into homes around the world, it was only a matter of time before movie theaters began to appear in other public places – including the White House.
The installation of a movie theater in the White House was first authorized by President Woodrow Wilson in 1915. The theater, known as the White House Family Theater (or sometimes the East Room Cinema), was fitted out with a variety of features, including luxurious seating and a state-of-the-art projection system. Although Wilson himself did not attend many films, he did host private screenings for family and friends on occasion.
Over the years, many US presidents have taken advantage of this unique feature of the White House. Franklin D. Roosevelt held regular movie nights for his guests; Ronald Reagan would often use films to relax and unwind after long days at work; and George W. Bush even had a private screening room built for his own personal use during his tenure as president.
But who was the first president to install a movie theater in the White House? That honor goes to William Howard Taft, who served as president from 1909 to 1913. During his time in office, Taft had one of the first movie theaters installed in what is now known as Room 1620 – and he quickly became an enthusiastic patron of film culture. Taft even went so far as to personally select films for each screening and invite guests from both inside and outside Washington DC’s political circles.
Taft’s love for film was well-known during his presidency. He often spent hours watching movies with friends or alone in his own private screening room – making him one of America’s earliest cinephiles!
It’s no surprise that William Howard Taft was the first US President to install a movie theater in the White House – he clearly had an affinity for motion pictures that has been shared by many other presidents over the years!
Conclusion: William Howard Taft was the first US President to install a movie theater in the White House back in 1909 – setting an example that has been followed by many other presidents since then! His enthusiasm for film culture has made him an early pioneer among cinephiles around America – and his legacy still lives on today.