WASHINGTON — Every week, more than 10,000 visitors come to tour the White House in Washington, D.C. For decades the tour remained unchanged, until this year.
"Dr. Biden, who’s been a classroom teacher for 40 years looked at the public tour with her educator’s eye and thought there’s more we can do here," said Elizabeth Alexander, Deputy Assistant to the President and Communications Director to the First Lady.
Now, the White House is inviting visitors to experience its rich history like never before, unveiling a revamped tour designed to offer more educational and modernized features. The initiative aims to provide Americans and international tourists with a more dynamic and interactive glimpse into the peoples' house.
What’s New?
Visitors are greeted with a new virtual message from the first lady. As you make your way down the east colonnade, you'll pass by a living timeline, told through the history of the White House.
"There’s moving imagery that grabs you that brings you into the history of the white house, history of our country told through the history of the presidency," said Alexander.
The updated tours, launched in October, feature state-of-the-art technology, improved accessibility, and curated exhibits that highlight historical aspects of the White House. These changes come as part of a broader effort by the administration to make the iconic residence more welcoming and educational for the public.
The project is the brainchild of First Lady and educator Dr. Jill Biden, the National Park Service and the History Channel.
Strategically placed kiosks now provide real-time information about rooms, artifacts, and notable events that have shaped the White House’s history. The displays allow guests to explore archival photos, audio recordings, and behind-the-scenes stories.
The new tours allow you to go into spaces that were previously roped off. For the first time ever, the Diplomatic Reception Room is open to the public.
"There’s so much history in that room. It’s where President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his fireside chats during the great depression and world war, said Alexander.
Although a new administration is set to take over in January, the changes to the public tours will remain in place as part of Dr. Biden's legacy.
"This is a lasting contribution that will live on with this house and we’re very excited that this is going to live on for decades to come," said Alexander.
How to Visit
White House tours are free of charge, but tickets must be reserved in advance through a member of Congress. For more information on tour availability and guidelines, visit the official White House website.