Get ready for a thrilling journey through White House history with “The People’s House: A White House Experience.” This immersive educational adventure offers a free, behind-the-scenes peek into the rich history of the Executive Mansion, conveniently located just a block away from the White House itself.
Working closely with the White House Historical Association, Ralph Appelbaum Associates, and Design & Production, Cortina Productions created a series of immersive interactive moments transporting visitors into the White House. Imagine attending a State Dinner, contributing to a Cabinet Room meeting, exploring the objects in the State Floor rooms, meeting White House Staff, or even sitting at the iconic Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. The People’s House makes it all possible.
A standout feature of the exhibit is the striking 1:5 scale model of the White House. The South Façade serves as a grand canvas for the introductory film, warmly welcoming guests while laying out the rich history of the House and the Association. As guests enter into the exhibit, they’re greeted by the model’s reverse side, a digitally augmented dollhouse boasting 19 rooms spread across three levels.
Every room in the dollhouse is meticulously detailed, complete with miniature furniture, lighting fixtures, and replicated interior design. Transparent screens, projections, and sound elements further enhance the experience. The dollhouse offers an interactive mode where guests can delve into the purpose of each room and trigger scenes that transport them to different historical moments. Additionally, a series of show modes takeover each room’s projection and transparent screen for a presentation about the different functions of the White House.
Another crowd-pleaser is an interactive projection room that virtually whisks visitors away to each of the State Floor Rooms of the White House. Each room’s journey commences with an immersive introduction that illuminates the room’s history and purpose. Visitors can then interact with the objects, furniture, and art in each room, fostering a deeper connection with the space. Cortina painstakingly photographed and 3D scanned the walls and objects in each of the five rooms, using Unreal to create a truly authentic and immersive experience.
And that’s just the beginning. Visitors can then enter an exact replica of the Oval Office. They can meet White House Staff through a series of interactive stations, capture digital takeaways of themselves at behind-the-scenes locations within the White House, partake in a historic Cabinet Room meeting, and experience the grandeur of a State Dinner. They can also relax in the Family Movie Theater and then discover the intriguing stories behind objects that encapsulate the history of the White House.
“The People’s House” is more than an exhibit; it’s an immersive journey through the places, people, and events that have shaped our nation. It’s a must-see addition to Washington, DC’s robust museum scene.
To find out more and reserve your free timed-entry passes, please visit https://www.thepeopleshouse.org
TEAM
Exhibit Design by Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA)
Media Design and Production by Cortina Productions
Fabrication and AV Systems by Design & Production (D&P)
