Quentin and his pony, Algonquin
Photos from the Library of Congress

Quentin Roosevelt lived in the White House 100 years ago. He had a big family. He had two sisters and three brothers. His father was President Theodore Roosevelt. Quentin was almost four years old when he moved into the White House. He and his brothers and sisters loved pets. They had cats, dogs, snakes, and raccoons. Quentin had a pony called "Algonquin." One day, Quentin’s brother, Archie, was sick. Quentin wanted to make Archie feel better. He took Algonquin into the White House elevator. Up went Quentin and Algonquin! Quentin pulled the pony into Archie’s bedroom! It made Archie smile. Do you think his parents smiled? We don’t know for sure but President Theodore Roosevelt did say, "I don’t think that any family has ever enjoyed the White House more than we have."

Archie Roosevelt, son of President Theodore Roosevelt (1901-09), poses with Algonquin the calico pony June 17, 1902.