In 1921, at the age of 39, Franklin D. Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio. The disease weakened his legs, so he explored different ways to strengthen them. President Roosevelt developed an affinity for swimming because his legs could carry his weight in a pool.  

As president, Roosevelt’s supporters paid for an indoor pool to be installed in the White House through a fundraiser sponsored by the New York Daily News and 43 other newspapers. $12,000 was donated in less than two weeks.

When the pool, the first to be installed at the White House, was complete, President Roosevelt shook the hand of each construction worker. He told them that the pool, “will be one of the greatest pleasures for me during my stay in the White House.” Today, this pool is covered by the Press Briefing Room.