President Harry S. Truman (above) officially opened the first
White House bowling alley on April 25, 1947. The two-lane
bowling alley, situated in the West Wing, had been constructed
earlier that year.           

According to Smithsonian magazine, a group of Truman’s
fellow Missourians funded the construction of the bowling
alley in honor of the president. They had intended to open
the alley as part of Truman’s 63rd birthday celebration on
May 8, but construction was completed ahead of schedule.

The Harry S. Truman Bowling Alley entertains thousands of
White House staffers and their guests each year.