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

Nov 03, 2023 Washington, D.C. —

The White House Historical Association announced plans to bring a new cutting-edge education experience, “The People’s House: A White House Experience,” to Washington, D.C. one block away from the White House. The experience will tell the story of the Executive Mansion, its inhabitants and the people who have dedicated their careers to its functions. The announcement was made last night by First Lady Jill Biden during the Association’s biennial gala. The space is set to open in the fall of 2024.

Situated on 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, the 33,000-square-foot three-floor site will feature exhibits and galleries bringing the White House and its storied history to life. Visitors will 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.

“I couldn’t be more excited to embark on this new chapter for the Association and share the rich history of the executive mansion with hundreds of thousands of visitors every year,” said Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. “It’s an honor to carry out our ongoing mission to preserve the legacy of the White House and give back to the public through our new educational space.”

“‘The People’s House: A White House Experience’ will be an innovative, immersive, and educational journey – one that transports visitors to different chapters in time,” said First Lady Jill Biden during the event. “At its core, this project is about education – teaching our students about our country’s origins, bringing to life the countless people who shaped it and who made the White House into the beating heart of our democracy.”

Located within a building recently renovated by Gensler, the firm that will be overseeing the construction and architectural designs, the new space will create an inviting experience about one of the most important institutions in the world with exhibits planned by Ralph Appelbaum Associates. The space will also feature a 1,500-square-foot flagship retail store. Above the exhibit and retail space will lie a new educational wing, designed for students and other groups to further explore the exhibit’s contents.

“This isn’t just a space where American history is observed; it’s where it is experienced in an unforgettable way,” said Nick Appelbaum, President and CEO, Ralph Appelbaum Associates. “Using new technology and media, we will spotlight the unique ties each visitor holds with our nation’s most iconic building. Our goal is to create a meaningful connection between the broader story of our nation and the individual experiences of each visitor. We are honored to be leading the visitor experience for this most special new DC attraction."

"My Gensler colleagues and I take immense pride in collaborating with the White House Historical Association on this profoundly meaningful project," said Sumita Arora, Principal at Gensler. "The proximity of 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House makes it the perfect location. We’re grateful to be partnering with the exceptional team at Ralph Appelbaum Associates to craft an engaging and welcoming experience for visitors to delve into."

Millions travel to Washington, D.C. every year, including scores of school trips and tourists across the world, and will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of White House history.

Click here for renderings of The People’s House: A White House Experience.

For additional information, please visit thepeopleshouse.org.

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