Washington, D.C. – It stands as a reflection, a mirror into power, and now, it is open for all to experience. A new stop awaits those who wander near the White House—a place where one can not only see but feel the essence of leadership, freedom, and democracy. A replica of the Oval Office, carefully crafted to every detail, now welcomes visitors to step into the very room where decisions shaping the world are made.
“It is more than just a room,” says Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, his voice carrying the weight of history and the excitement of the present. “This space, this experience, offers a bridge between the people and their history, allowing everyone to sit where presidents have sat, dream where presidents have dreamed.”
A Replica of Power and Symbolism
This replica of the Oval Office, now housed within “The People’s House: A White House Experience”, opens its doors with a sense of reverence, inviting people from all walks of life to be part of something greater. It is a testament not only to the institution of the presidency but to the ideas of liberty and justice that have shaped the United States for centuries.
For many, stepping into this space is a step into the past and the future, a moment to imagine what it would be like to hold the weight of the world in one’s hands. Few ever lay eyes on the real Oval Office, but here, within these walls, anyone can sit in the president’s chair, touch the desk, and look out over a world they, too, might one day change.
“This Oval Office is not like the one in the White House,” McLaurin smiles, seated at the desk that symbolizes leadership. “Here, you can take a seat, feel the gravity of the space, and in that moment, be the President of the United States.”
A Place to Learn, to Dream, to Reflect
The exhibit offers more than just a physical space. It provides a pathway into the minds and hearts of those who have walked the halls of the White House. Visitors are not mere spectators; they are invited to explore how presidents have used this iconic home for diplomacy, family, and celebrations.
Another gallery showcases the splendor of state dinners, the grand rooms where world leaders gather not just to dine, but to negotiate, to build relationships, and to shape the future. Here, visitors can sit at tables set as if awaiting dignitaries, learning how the finest details, from flowers to seating, carry diplomatic significance.
There are films, narrated by voices familiar to millions—Martin Sheen, who brought to life a fictional president in The West Wing, offers his words to guide visitors through the experience, as if welcoming them into the very heart of American governance. And there is Jill Biden, First Lady, who greets each visitor with an audio message, reminding them of the living, breathing history that unfolds in the White House every day.
Where History Meets the Present
Behind every door, every window of the White House, stories unfold—of gardeners, florists, military aides, and more—people who keep the house running, each with a role in maintaining the pulse of the nation’s most famous residence. This experience, spread across two floors, gives voice to the unsung heroes, their work illuminated in videos and displays that reveal the many hands that shape history, unseen by most.
Visitors will also encounter a large-scale model of the White House, a stunning representation of the southern facade, with intricate details exposed like a grand dollhouse, revealing the rooms where leaders have laughed, cried, and made decisions that changed the world.
An Invitation to the World
With its doors now open, this exhibit, this “People’s House,” stands ready to welcome hundreds each day. “We expect about 800 visitors daily,” McLaurin shares, his eyes bright with hope. “We hope they stay, linger, and let the spirit of this place take hold of their imaginations.”
Admission is free, yet priceless are the memories made here. Tickets are limited, given in timed slots to ensure that every visitor has the space and the time to connect with the history, to feel the presence of the great men and women who have shaped the world from these rooms.
A Future of Legacy and Learning
The $60 million raised to bring this vision to life ensures that the exhibit will not only exist today but will thrive for generations to come. As presidents change, so too will the Oval Office display—Joe Biden’s office today will give way to his successor’s vision tomorrow. “It is a living experience,” McLaurin says, “one that grows as the nation grows, evolves as leadership evolves.”
And so, here, within this house, is a gift to the people. A place to learn. A place to dream. A place to reflect. For in this Oval Office, though a replica, you may feel the weight of responsibility, the pull of history, and the hope of tomorrow.
