New White House Historical Experience Opens in Golden Triangle BID

Photo Courtesy of White House Historical Association

Immersive attraction underscores big changes to office neighborhood

WASHINGTON, DC (September 23, 2024) – A new educational experience exploring White House history opened today in the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, creating a brand new destination for visitors.

The People’s House: A White House Experience,” located at 1700 Pennsylvania Ave NW, across the street from the White House, tells the story of the Executive Mansion and its occupants. Developed by the White House Historical Association, the experience includes a large-scale White House model, a recreation of the Rose Garden, a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, and other immersive exhibits.

The People’s House joins the existing Renwick Gallery and National Geographic as cultural destinations within the Golden Triangle, the western area of downtown that has been transforming from strictly office space into a mixed-use corridor in the center of the District.

“There is such dynamic change happening in the Golden Triangle right now and this museum epitomizes that,” said Leona Agouridis, President of the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District. “We’re seeing excitement from office workers and others returning downtown, as well as new visitors, who want to experience the growing culture, entertainment, world-class dining and shopping this neighborhood offers.”

“The People’s House: A White House Experience will welcome millions of visitors into the heart of Washington, D.C. for an immersive journey through history like never before,” said Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. “We are thrilled that this technology-rich educational experience will make the story of the Executive Mansion accessible and engaging for generations to come.”

The opening of the museum highlights transformation taking shape in the Golden Triangle and aligns directly with recommendations in the Downtown Action Plan released earlier this year by the Golden Triangle and DowntownDC BIDs in collaboration with the Mayor’s team. That plan, in part, is looking to draw more visitors north of the White House and the national mall into areas previously thought of as simply office corridors.

The Downtown Action Plan was developed in response to changes in work habits as fewer people make a daily commute downtown. Recommendations in the plan include creating cultural and entertainment corridors, enhancing the public realm, growing the technology and innovation economy, and increasing the residential base.

Recently, the Golden Triangle was the site of the first major office to residential conversion to deliver downtown, when Elle—a former Peace Corps office space—was repurposed as apartments in the District. Several more conversion projects in the BID have been announced.

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About the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District

Formed in 1998, the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) enhances Washington, DC’s central business district, the 44-square-block neighborhood stretching from The White House to Dupont Circle. For more information, visit goldentriangledc.com and follow the BID on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

 

Media Contact
Karyn Le Blanc at 202-497-4572 or karyn.leblanc@kglcommunications.com. Or Vince Morris at 202-503-6802 or vince.morris@kglcommunications.com.