Lisa Hogan, the Irish actress and model who has become a familiar face to fans of Clarkson’s Farm, has delighted followers with a fascinating story from her past. Hogan, who has risen to widespread recognition thanks to her regular appearances alongside Jeremy Clarkson on the hit Prime Video series, shared the tale on Thanksgiving, offering a glimpse into a little-known piece of White House history.
Hogan, now 51, has been in a relationship with Clarkson since 2017. The pair live together in Oxfordshire, where Clarkson runs his Diddly Squat Farm—the setting of the hugely popular documentary series. While Clarkson’s fame was built on Top Gear and The Grand Tour, Hogan has carved out her own place in the spotlight, winning over audiences with her wit, warmth, and sharp observations about farm life.
But her Thanksgiving post this year took fans far away from the rolling hills of Chadlington. Sharing an old photograph of herself at the White House on Instagram, Hogan recalled a remarkable experience from “some decades ago.” She explained that during her visit, she had asked to see the secret swimming pool hidden beneath the press briefing room.
Her hosts agreed, but with one condition: she would have to make a convincing speech to earn the privilege. Rising to the challenge, Hogan spoke passionately about the Irish famine and how America had offered refuge and hope to so many Irish people during that devastating period. Her words struck the right chord, and she was granted access to the pool.
“The pool was so cool!” Hogan wrote, adding a cheerful “Happy Thanksgiving” to her story.
The swimming pool she referred to is a little-known feature of the White House. Built in 1933 for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, it was designed to help him exercise despite the limitations imposed by polio. Swimming was one of the few physical activities Roosevelt could enjoy, and the pool became an important part of his daily routine.
Over the years, other presidents also made use of the facility, including Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy. However, in 1970, President Richard Nixon decided to cover the pool and repurpose the space above it as the James C. Brady Press Briefing Room, which remains in use today. While the pool itself is no longer accessible in its original form, its existence beneath the press room remains one of the White House’s more intriguing secrets.
Hogan’s anecdote not only offered fans a quirky slice of history but also highlighted her gift for storytelling. Just as she brings charm and insight to Clarkson’s Farm, she managed to turn a personal memory into a captivating Thanksgiving reflection—one that connected her Irish heritage with American history in a unique and memorable way.
