Situated one block from the White House, The People’s House removes the barriers of entry to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, empowering all visitors to reveal lived White House experiences via media-driven, immersive exhibition programming.
The People’s House: Upon entering the First Floor, guests are greeted by a 1:5 scale replica of the White House South Facade that serves as a grand canvas for the introductory experience. A 3-minute film narrated by Martin Sheen showcases the history of the Executive Mansion, while the other side of the model features a detailed, large-scale cut-away model of the residence, complete with custom-scale furniture and decor identical to today’s White House rooms. A choreographed multimedia program brings the 19 rooms to life. Using tablets, guests can activate various rooms and see historic and contemporary moments fill the space.
Immersive Theater: The 360° Immersive Theater invites visitors into State Floor rooms through interactive video projections and audioscapes, bringing each space to life. Using gesture-based technology, visitors can select objects and furniture in each room to learn about the history and stories contained within.
West Colonnade and Rose Garden: Here, visitors can walk the president’s 45-second commute, as they pass the Cabinet Room and Rose Garden. Magical reflections in the windows along the Colonnade provide ever-changing glimpses into the past. Visitors are also invited to stroll through a representation of the beloved White House Rose Garden, snap pictures in front of a custom garden mural, and experience what it’s like to be welcomed on the South Lawn for a ceremony. A custom soundscape recorded on the property of Rose Garden designer Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon can be heard overhead.
Oval Office: Inside the full-scale replica Oval Office, visitors can take a seat behind the Resolute Desk surrounded by replications of the art, objects, and furniture that adorn the real space. A floor-to-ceiling media column in the room offers historical and contemporary images, providing a portal to significant moments in this iconic place’s history.
Visitors continue their experience on the second floor.
People’s Voices Gallery: The Second-Floor experience begins with the People’s Voices Gallery, where visitors interact with digital portraits of past and present White House staff. Here, they also have a chance to dive deeper and explore the role and contributions of various departments in the White House’s Executive Residence Staff, and snap photos in iconic White House spots with an interactive photo booth.
The White House in Action: In these dynamic exhibits, visitors experience the main functions of the White House – governing, entertaining and living – through three distinct immersive media experiences. Visitors can “sit in” on a meeting in the Cabinet Room and be part of the team advising the president in historic conversations; be a guest at a State Dinner and experience diplomacy in action; and enjoy historic and contemporary scenes of White House life, as well as question-and-answer trivia, in the recreated Family Theater.
Stories in Objects: A landscape of full-scale white models provides glimpses into the wide-ranging history of the People’s House. With a touch of their hand, visitors can activate objects to reveal their historical significance, showcasing traditions and unexpected stories from the Executive Mansion’s history.
The People’s House is more than an exhibition; it’s an immersive journey that unveils the influential figures and pivotal moments in White House history, ensuring its story remains engaging and accessible for generations to come.
Partners
- Project Creator / Owner: The White House Historical Association
- Exhibition Designer: Ralph Appelbaum Associates
- Media Design and Production: Cortina Productions
- Architect: Gensler
- Exhibition Fabricator: Design and Production
- Lighting Design: Abernathy Lighting Design
- General Contractor: HITT
- Owner’s Representative: JM Zell Partners
Top image courtesy of The White House Historical Association