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Big Cheese in the White House
The White House has long been a home for US presidents and their families. But from 1835 to early 1837, the White House was also home to a giant piece of cheese. This enormous cheddar cheese block measured over one metre wide and half a metre tall. It weighed six hundred thirty-five kilograms, which is about as much as a large horse!
Where did this chunk of cheddar come from? In 1835, a dairy farmer named Thomas Meacham made it as a gift for American President Andrew Jackson. Before delivering it to the White House, Meacham took the cheese on tour. He showed it off in the American cities of New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Finally, it arrived at the White House, where it was displayed for over a year.
American President Jackson welcomed the gift, but he wasn’t sure what to do with it. In 1837, he was getting ready to move out of the White House. So, he decided to share his cheddar treasure. On February 22, Jackson held a huge public party. About ten thousand people showed up to meet the president, talk with government leaders and, of course, eat cheese. In less than two hours, the cheese block was gone! However, the strong cheesy smell stayed around for much longer. The next president had to remove the curtains, paint the walls and air out the carpet to get rid of the odour.
The scent of the cheese eventually faded. However, the memory of Jackson’s famous party has lived on in other ways. In 2014, American President Barack Obama’s administration held a virtual event called ‘Big Block of Cheese Day’. Unlike Jackson’s event, Big Block of Cheese Day did not include actual cheese or a White House party. Instead of chatting with people over a plate of cheddar, government leaders connected with people online. They listened to ideas and answered questions that people sent to them on the internet. The event was a success, and Big Block of Cheese Day continued for two more years.
The White House may never again be home to a six hundred thirty-five kilogram chunk of cheese. However, the story of the giant cheese block continues to live on. It reminds leaders to think of new and creative ways to stay connected with the people they lead.