Last Updated on September 22, 2024
The White House Historical Association will open its new, cutting-edge education experience in Washington, D.C., “The People’s House: A White House Experience,” on Monday, September 23. This first-of-its-kind, immersive center will tell the story of the Executive Mansion, its inhabitants, and the people who have dedicated their careers to its functions like never before.
Situated on 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, less than a block away from the White House, the 33,000-square-foot, three-floor site features exhibits and galleries that bring the White House and its storied history to life. Visitors can interact with a large-scale White House model, recreation of the Rose Garden, full-scale replica of the Oval Office, recreation of White House moments, and more dimensional galleries combining immersive media and inventive scenic representations.
“It’s a transformational, technology-empowered experience that is deliberately designed to evolve alongside key moments within each presidency,” Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, said of the new exhibition. “Every day, we will embrace creative thinking on how we can transform the space and its galleries to meet the needs of multiple generations and make the experience of White House history accessible for all.”
The Association, the First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden, and children of friends and family of the Association will commemorate the grand opening and a shared commitment to amplifying White House history before the experience officially opens to the public.
“This new immersive education center will take visitors on an incredible journey using technology and innovation to bring White House history to life,” Dr. Biden said. “I’ve been personally involved in this project for the past two years, and especially as an educator, I’m so excited to see it opening to the public. It will be an extraordinary complement to White House public tours, and free and accessible for all. I hope school groups and students of all ages come to enjoy this new center to learn more about life in the White House and those who serve the American people there.”
“The People’s House: A White House Experience” features the following engaging exhibits that are on permanent display year-round:
● Watch as a 1:5-scale replica of the White House’s South facade transforms to tell the rich history of the Executive Mansion, including the architectural story from 1790 to present day.
● Walk in the president’s footsteps and experience the 45-second commute to the Oval Office as they pass the Cabinet Room and Rose Garden.
● Experience the rooms of the State Floor–the East Room, Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room and State Dining Room–through 360° immersive projection.
● Walk through a representation of the Rose Garden, snap a picture in front of the garden mural, and experience what it’s like to be welcomed on the South Lawn for a ceremony.
● Take a seat behind the Resolute Desk in a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, furnished with reproductions of the art, objects, and furniture that adorn the president’s office.
● Interact with framed digital portraits of White House staff to hear and see reflections from people who have held positions in the Executive Mansion.
● Experience the White House as a space for governing, entertaining, and living through three distinct immersive media experiences.
● Interact with objects to uncover the overlooked and extraordinary stories from White House history.
“The People’s House” also features a 1,500-square-foot flagship retail store, complete with the Association’s classic curated collations and new items unique to the space available for purchase. Above the exhibit and retail space lies a new educational wing, designed for students and other groups to further explore the exhibit’s contents.
The People’s House will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET starting Monday, September 23. To gain entry, the public should reserve passes in advance to ensure the entire party can be accommodated. Passes are available on thepeopleshouse.org.
General admission is free, with a suggested donation to support the space’s mission-driven programs, exhibits, and educational outreach.
The People’s House offers a selection of field trip experiences for student learners or experiences geared towards corporate and adult groups. The interactive exhibits and state-of-the-art classrooms provide opportunities to engage and inspire visitors of all ages.
For additional information, please visit thepeopleshouse.org.
About the White House Historical Association
The White House Historical Association was founded in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to support her vision to restore and preserve the Executive Mansion and its legacy for generations to come. Mrs. Kennedy sought to inspire Americans, especially children to explore and engage with American history and its presidents.
Supported entirely by private resources, the Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that has contributed more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission. To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org.
