Power Transfer to 'The House of the People'

Power Transfer to 'The House of the People'

Need a behind-the-scenes tour of the Oval Office, State Floor, and more? Look no further than the new White House Unlocked. This remarkable, free experience, located just a stone's throw from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., offers an in-depth look at the "President's Palace" that goes far beyond the usual tour.

The White House Historical Association (WHHA) has created this permanent multimedia venture, offering visitors a chance to examine a large-scale White House model, experience the State Floor in immersive 360-degree projections, explore a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, and step into key White House moments. The space features compelling stories about the presidents and their families, as well as the unsung heroes that work tirelessly throughout different administrations[1].

Established by first lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961, the WHHA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to preserving the collections and stories of the Executive Mansion[2]. The new White House Unlocked is housed on the first three floors of the Mills Building, which underwent a renovation at the start of the pandemic. Once the renovations were completed, Virginia-based system integrator Design and Production (D&P) got to work, incorporating a host of Panasonic Connect displays and projectors, along with essential products from other trusted manufacturers, to bring the exhibits to life[3].

Space Challenges

The ambitious project faced several challenges, particularly in terms of physical space. D&P's solution involved cleverly implementing Panasonic Connect's short-throw LCD projectors and 3-DLP projectors, such as the powerful 18,000-lumen model used in the Immersive Theater. These projectors helped ensure that the exhibits remained visually impactful while maximizing space efficiency[3].

Enhancing the Experience

From dance parties in the State Dining Room to interacting with a replica of the Biden family Bible, the White House Unlocked offers an unparalleled, immersive experience that provides visitors with a profound connection to the White House's history. With the help of Panasonic Connect, D&P, Ralph Appelbaum Associates, and Cortina Productions, the White House Unlocked promises to captivate and enlighten for years to come[3][4].

[1] Enrichment Data: The White House Unlocked features stories of the people who work behind the scenes at the White House, highlighting their contributions to the Executive Mansion's history. One example is Dale Haney, who has served as grounds superintendent since 1972.

[2] Enrichment Data: The White House Historical Association was founded by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961. Its mission is to preserve the collections and stories of the Executive Mansion for future generations.

[3] Enrichment Data: The White House Unlocked offers visitors the opportunity to explore various White House artifacts and reenactments. In one section of the space, visitors can hover their hand in front of large projection walls, and windows Suddenly display historic moments, such as President Nixon's landing on the South Lawn or a restoration of a famous object with descriptive text.

[4] Enrichment Data: Each technology choice for the White House Unlocked was tailored to fit the venue's physical constraints and storytelling needs, creating an engaging and seamless visitor experience. For instance, in the Oval Office replica, a media column at the room's center transforms as visitors approach, showing historic and contemporary images. This column provides visitors with a portal to significant moments in the Oval Office, using Panasonic 55-VF2H-VWB4D displays.

1. The White House Unlocked, a new permanent multimedia experience, showcases interactive displays of products from Panasonic Connect and other manufacturers, enriching the space with immersive storytelling about the White House, its presidents, and the unsung heroes who work there.
2. The White House Historical Association (WHHA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, has transformed the Mills Building's first three floors into the White House Unlocked, featuring events such as dance parties in the State Dining Room and interactive experiences with replicas of artifacts like the Biden family Bible.
3. Businesses involved in the White House Unlocked project include Design and Production (D&P), Ralph Appelbaum Associates, Cortina Productions, and Panasonic Connect, each contributing their expertise to create a captivating and enlightening visitor experience.
4. The White House Unlocked uses various technological features to maximize space efficiency, such as short-throw LCD projectors and 3-DLP projectors, allowing exhibits to remain visually impactful while optimizing the limited space available.
5. The White House Unlocked offers a profound connection to the White House's history, providing an in-depth look at the Executive Mansion through large-scale models and immersive 360-degree projections, as well as showcasing general news and stories related to fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, travel, education-and-self-development, and entertainment.
6. Visitors to the White House Unlocked can participate in engaging, interactive experiences, such as hovering their hand in front of projection walls to see historic moments like President Nixon's landing on the South Lawn or a restoration of famous objects with detailed descriptions.

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