The view of the White House from the South Lawn. USA TODAY
First Lady Jill Biden has revealed that the White House tour is getting an exciting makeover, featuring new digital elements, a stronger focus on history, and improved educational opportunities. The updated tour aims to engage visitors more deeply, providing them with an informative experience that enhances their understanding of American heritage.
In a recent press release, the White House stated that the tour is now an expanded version of its earlier format. Each week, approximately 10,000 people visit the White House to learn about its rich history. The tour hasn’t seen major updates in decades, making these changes a significant development. For the very first time, the Diplomatic Reception Room—where President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously held his “fireside chats”—will be accessible to the public.
On Friday, October 11, 2024, the Washington Monument can be seen from the grounds of the White House. USA TODAY
Having spent 40 years as a classroom teacher, Jill Biden emphasizes the importance of interactive and engaging learning experiences. “(Learning) has to evoke the senses, and you have to meet students where they are, giving them what they need to spark their curiosity and imagination,” she shared in the press release. The First Lady hopes that the revamped tour will inspire visitors to explore their shared history further.
Some of the new features of the tour include:
- Enhanced Educational Elements: Visitors can look forward to more engaging and educational content throughout the tour route, allowing them to gain deeper insights into American history and civics.
- Interactive Storytelling: The tour will incorporate advanced technology and digital components to bring historical narratives to life in a more compelling way.
- Tactile Learning Opportunities: Guests will have access to interactive displays, encouraging a hands-on learning experience.
Jill Biden and her team spent two years collaborating with the National Park Service, the White House Curator’s Office, the White House Historical Association, presidential libraries, and The History Channel to refresh the tour. They have added new pathways, allowing guests to explore further into the various rooms while providing more educational content that visitors can touch, see, and hear.
During a media tour, seating arrangements in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden at the White House were showcased. USA TODAY
Chuck Sams, the National Park Service Director, expressed pride in assisting with the tour’s enhancements. He noted, “The White House, like all national parks, are living classrooms that provide the public with inspirational and educational opportunities to connect with our nation’s shared heritage.”
This fall, the public can take tours of the White House Gardens on Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, to enjoy the blooming flowers and vegetables. USA TODAY
One of the highlights of the new tour is the reader rail in the Diplomatic Reception Room, where visitors can discover information about the room’s beautiful wallpaper and listen to snippets from FDR’s historic fireside chats on a recreated 1939 Philco radio.
Additionally, a video welcome from the First Lady will greet visitors as they enter through the East Wing, with another video from the President offering more context in the East Room. Instead of static photo collages, guests will now see “A Living Timeline” of White House History in the East Colonnade, featuring digital displays that highlight key moments in American history.
A media representative captures images in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden at the White House during preview events for the upcoming garden tours on Friday, October 11, 2024, in Washington, DC. The White House will keep its autumn tradition of allowing the public to visit the Gardens and South Grounds. USA TODAY
Another exciting addition is a three-dimensional architectural model of the White House, showcasing its evolution since 1792. This model, located in the East Garden Room, will allow visitors to appreciate the building's transformation over time.
Media representatives photograph the Rose Garden during a preview of the White House Garden tour on Friday, October 11, 2024, in Washington, DC. This fall, the public can visit the White House Gardens on Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13. The tours are free, but all visitors, regardless of age, must obtain a timed ticket to attend. USA TODAY
As guests navigate the tour, they will also find three reader rails featuring important historical quotes, including one from John Adams’ letter to his wife on his first night at the White House.
White House tours are typically offered from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, excluding federal holidays, and they are free for everyone to attend. With these new updates, the White House tour promises to be a more engaging and educational experience for all visitors.
