White House Family Theater

The White House Family Theater is a private screening room in the East Wing with 42 seats arranged in tiered rows and four upholstered armchairs reserved for the presidential party in front. The space serves as a venue for official film screenings, speech rehearsals, and private family entertainment.

Franklin D. Roosevelt created this cinema space in 1942 by converting a former cloakroom called the Hat Box during the East Wing renovation. This transformation of a storage room into an entertainment venue marked a shift in how the residence was used.

American film studios arrange special screenings here, sending their newest releases directly to show films for the presidential family and official guests.

The theater is only accessible for official events and special occasions and does not open for regular public visits. You can see the space only if it is included in guided historical tours of the building.

One former president watched around 480 films during his entire term, setting a remarkable record for the theater's use. This exceptional passion for cinema shows how important the space became for personal relaxation.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1942

Official opening: 1942

Capacity: 42

Part of: White House

Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20006

GPS coordinates: 38.89867,-77.03676

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:25