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The Untold History of Presidential Beekeeping
- Pete Rizzo
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Founding Fathers and Beekeeping at the White House
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were more than just statesmen; they were land managers who understood that the success of a new nation depended on agriculture.
But there was a silent workforce behind their estates, one that has recently returned to Pennsylvania Avenue.
From the breakfast tables of Mount Vernon to the micro-brews of the modern White House, here is the buzzing history of America’s Presidents and the honeybee.
George Washington: The Innovator (and Breakfast Enthusiast)
For the first President, beekeeping wasn't a whimsical hobby; it was serious business. Mount Vernon was a production facility, and Washington was obsessed with efficiency.
The Hoecake Habit
Washington’s love for honey is well-documented. He famously started his days with hoecakes (cornmeal pancakes) literally "swimming in butter and honey." To keep up with this sticky habit, he needed a steady supply.
The Innovation
In the 18th century, most farmers used "gums", hollowed-out logs that required destroying the colony to get the honey. Washington, ever the progressive farmer, built a dedicated "bee house" and expanded his operation to wooden box hives.
While primitive by today’s standards, these boxes were a tech upgrade, allowing for cleaner harvesting and better colony management.
Thomas Jefferson: The Philosopher (and Failed Beekeeper)
While Washington was the practical farmer, Thomas Jefferson was the curious scientist. However, history gives us a funny reality check: Jefferson was great at writing about bees, but terrible at keeping them.
The "White Man's Fly"
Jefferson is the one who correctly noted that the honeybee (Apis mellifera) was not native to America. In his Notes on the State of Virginia, he observed that Native Americans called the bee the "White Man's Fly," because the insects moved westward just ahead of European frontier settlers.
The Struggle at Monticello
Despite his brilliance, Jefferson’s garden books reveal that his apiary often failed. He frequently had to purchase honey and beeswax from neighbors because his own hives died out. He proves a relatable lesson for modern gardeners: you can understand the science of nature and still struggle to keep it alive!
A Taste of History: Martha’s "Honey of Roses"
It wasn’t just the men who utilized the hives. Martha Washington kept a famous Book of Cookery that included a recipe for Mel Rosatum, or "Honey of Roses."
While today we would drizzle this over yogurt, back then it was largely medicinal, used to soothe sore throats. She would simmer fresh rose petals with honey, straining it to create a floral syrup.
Try it at home: You don't need a sore throat to enjoy this. Gently warm raw honey with organic rose petals for 20 minutes (don't boil it!), strain, and serve over biscuits.
The Modern Revival: The White House Hive
After the Founding Fathers, presidential beekeeping went dormant for over a century. That changed in 2009, when the Obama administration made history.
The First Official Hive
Contrary to popular belief, the bees didn't arrive in 2015, they moved in right at the start of the Obama administration in 2009. A carpenter named Charlie Brandts, who worked at the White House, proposed bringing his hobby to work. He installed the first-ever beehive on the South Lawn, near the First Lady's vegetable garden.
Ale to the Chief
The bees were so productive (creating over 175 pounds of honey in one year) that the White House chefs had to get creative. This led to the creation of the White House Honey Ale, the first beer ever brewed on White House grounds.
Policy Follows Nature
The success of that hive helped spark a policy shift. In 2014 and 2015, the administration launched a federal strategy to protect pollinators, recognizing that the decline of bees was a national security issue for the food supply.
Why It Matters
The "Presidential Bee" connects the 18th century to the 21st.
Then: It was about local survival and sweetening a hoecake.
Now: It is about global food security. One in three bites of food we eat, from apples to almonds, relies on pollination.
In the end, it doesn't matter if you are managing a colonial estate, leading a superpower, or tending a backyard garden, the lesson is the same: If we take care of the pollinators, they will take care of us.
Fast Facts for the Dinner Table
Not Native: The honeybees Washington kept were imported from Europe. America has 4,000 species of native bees (like bumblebees and mason bees), but they don't produce excess honey for humans to harvest.
The Bee House: You can still see a reproduction of Washington’s octagonal "Bee House" at Mount Vernon today.
No Stings: The White House bees are reportedly very polite; despite thousands of tourists and dignitaries walking nearby, the hives have been safely maintained on the South Lawn for over 15 years.
Our praise goes out to President Obama and First Lady Michelle for bringing honeybees to the White House!
Betsy & Pete
🐝Las Vegas’s All-Natural Live Bee Removal Team
About Us: The Authors
We’re Betsy and Pete - Beekeepers on a Mission in Las Vegas
We aren't just in the bee business; we’re in the bee-saving business. Trained by a master beekeeper and backed by years of successful rescues, we specialize in relocating honey bees with precision, safety, and care.
At our Joshua Tree Preserve in Arizona, we care for dozens of thriving hives. Some wild, some honey-bearing, and all are part of our commitment to ethical, sustainable beekeeping.
Why Vegas Bees? Because We Never Stop Learning or Caring
Beekeeping is always evolving, and so are we. We stay on the cutting edge by continuing our education, connecting with fellow beekeepers, and refining our beekeeping practices and techniques to ensure the best outcomes for both bees and people.
Whether it’s advanced bee removal strategies or the latest natural methods, we’re always one step ahead.
We’re also proud to support the beekeeping community with high-quality beekeeping supplies for everyone. If you’re ready to suit up and start your journey, we’ve got what you need.
