White House Historical Association to Open “The People’s House: A White House Experience”

Sep 20, 2024 Washington, D.C. —

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.

“There’s nothing else like The People's House: A White House Experience in Washington, D.C.,” said Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. “It’s a transformational, technology-empowered experience that is deliberately designed to evolve alongside key moments within each presidency. 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,” said Dr. Biden. “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.

Located within a building renovated by Gensler, the firm that oversaw the construction and architectural designs, the new space creates an interactive experience exploring one of the most important institutions in the world, with exhibits from Ralph Appelbaum Associates. 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.

“It’s been a remarkable experience working with White House Historical Association and the rest of the talented design team to bring The People’s House to life,” said Sumita Aurora, Principal at Gensler. “The three-level interactive exhibit offers an exceptionally engaging way to explore one of the nation’s most iconic landmarks and its global significance. We look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to learn about the White House’s storied history and the incredible staff that keep it running.”

"Visitors can expect a media-rich, immersive journey through White House history,” said Nick Appelbaum, President and CEO of Ralph Appelbaum Associates. "Through our work with the Association, we’ve uncovered untold stories. We are leveraging new technologies and formats to bring them to life.”

The White House Historical Association commissioned Charles Fazzino, a famous 3-D pop artist known for bright colors and detail, to create a commemorative artwork exclusively for the Association to celebrate the opening of The People’s House. His official artwork is entitled "The People's House: A Quilt of White House History” and is on display at The People’s House.

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.

For more information, please contact thepeopleshousepress@whha.org.