1	White House Heritage Museum A Proposal 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, South Bend, Indiana
2	Presidential Heritage The United States lacks a major museum dedicated to White House and presidential history. There are 13 official presidential libraries and several unofficial presidential museums and libraries scattered around America. Every president since Hoover has an official library (Lincoln, Harrison, etc. are unofficial) They celebrate only one president each They average 150,000 visitors a year Many are not self-supporting; Congress is trying to raise endowment requirements No museum is dedicated to White House history. The Truman Library contains a great deal about the Truman-era renovation The White House Historical Association and the Smithsonian preserve its history but not with substantial standing exhibits There is only one small museum dedicated to all presidents: The American Presidential Museum in Branson, MO
3	White House Heritage Museum The White House Heritage Museum (“the Museum”) is a proposed project to create a non-profit living history museum of the White House and the American presidency in the form of a full-scale replica of the White House mansion and grounds. The project would create a major tourist attraction and public park in the South Bend area. The objective is to create a place where visitors from around the nation and all over the world can come to: Tour the White House and visit rooms not open to the public in the real White House Interact with displays of White House history and the history of the presidency Enjoy the park and special events
4	White House Heritage Museum The Museum is a 32-acre campus with White House replica and Lafayette Square Park. The mansion is flanked by two large parking lots where the Eisenhower and Treasury buildings would be. The north corners provide areas for shops on either side of Lafayette Park. The south corners provide areas for the future expansion of the museum. Shuttle bus service would be available around the Museum campus as well as to and from the airport, Notre Dame campus, and downtown South Bend. The campus and park are perfect for concerts, parades, foot and bike races, and other events. The retail space and other buildings would be designed to complement the architectural style of the White House. Future expansions could include (like the Reagan Library) a Marine One helicopter, Air Force One fuselage, and presidential limousines.
5	Why a Replica? A “Hall of Presidents” is not enough of an attraction. The White House has a mystique beyond its physical location. Every presidential library includes a replica of the Oval Office (and usually other rooms) The Zweifel miniature White House is a popular traveling attraction The tiny American Presidential Museum in Branson, MO features an Oval Office and an Air Force One replica The White House is not available for special events the way most museums are. Parts of the mansion could be reserved for private functions of all types The museum would host special community events open to the public The White House offers little in the way of historical exhibits of its own heritage. Museum exhibits would replace the utilitarian offices of the real White House
6	The President’s Residence The real White House is a working residence and office building as well as a living museum. 18 acres (Presidential Park only; does not include Lafayette Square) 132 rooms; 55,000 square feet (67,000 total) $8.5 million operating budget 1 million visitors a year—free admission If the White House charged $8.50 each, it would operate in the black A replica that cost much less to run would be self-supporting with many fewer visitors Real White House tours are difficult to arrange, very limited in scope, and unavailable on holidays. Security concerns make White House tours subject to occasional suspension or last-minute cancellation.
7	National Security Concerns Naturally, a replica of the White House raises certain concerns about enemies of the nation obtaining precise information about presidential security. Parts of the White House layout and construction are classified Most of the White House layout is readily available online The Museum foundation would work with Homeland Security to be certain that no aspects important to the safety of the president or security of the White House would be duplicated accurately or compromised by the museum replicas. No attempt would be made to replicate or describe sub-basements, escape routes, command centers, electronic surveillance systems, or sophisticated physical security measures like bomb- and bullet-proofing Most of the detailed floor plan information is already available on the Internet. Private areas used as museum offices would not replicate the actual White House floor plan for those areas However, conventional museum security measures would be built into the design in unobtrusive ways, such as electronic locks, video surveillance, and anti-vehicle barriers.
8	A Modular Plan A major advantage of this plan is its modular approach. The Museum might ultimately consist of several parts. Each stage of completion presents an opportunity for media exposure and celebration, and therefore becomes a tourist event. Groundbreaking in the Oval Office location VIP tours of the mansion during late-stage construction Opening Ceremonies Museum offices and those rooms that are open to the public in the real White House are completed Garden Party Celebration The White House grounds are completed, including the Rose Garden, Kennedy Garden, tennis courts, swimming pool Lafayette Square Park is completed Grand Opening Remaining museum rooms are completed Opening of the presidential auto collection Housed in a separate building Installation of Marine One A decommissioned presidential helicopter on the South Lawn Opening of the Air Force One Exhibit 747 fuselage painted and dressed inside as Air Force One
9	A Museum and Event Host
10	The Mansion as Museum The White House replica would serve both as a living replica of the real presidential mansion and a museum of American presidential heritage. All public and residence rooms and many staff rooms (such as the Oval Office) would be dressed to replicate the real White House décor. On special occasions, some rooms could be redressed with props and décor to replicate a bygone era, such as the FDR administration or Reagan administration Staff offices and certain other rooms, rather than being dressed to look like the real rooms, would be reconfigured: To provide room for museum exhibits of White House history To be used as museum offices Fully secure/classified areas would be eliminated from the replica’s floor plan or configured for museum functions or storage.
11	Architecture and Furnishings The appearance of accuracy is enough. Since the décor changes from administration to administration, an approximation of the drapes, carpets, and furniture for any given era will suffice Initial furnishings can be replaced with more authentic materials over time Woodwork and other permanent fixtures need to appear accurate from the beginning National Archives and White House historians can help and provide extensive documentation. Trim molding styles, carpet designs, etc. Photos, diagrams, measurements, etc. Replicas of some White House furniture and décor are readily available. The Oval Office rug is custom made by Hokanson. New flooring was installed in the Oval Office in 2005 by Carpet One Some chairs and tables are made by Kittinger Accurate reproductions of the president’s desk and other White House furniture are available from New York First and Victorian Replicas
12	Museum Exhibits The Museum would learn from and coordinate with presidential library museums and local attractions to provide interesting and interactive exhibits. Multimedia displays, mannequins, and personal effects of past presidents Photographs and pieces of White House renovations History and trivia exhibits First families and pets One Observatory Circle: the vice-president’s residence Camp David history and tradition History of the Secret Service Models of the White House through history Interactive simulations and video kiosks Deliver a White House press announcement on camera Sign a bill into law Watch great presidential speeches
13	The Mansion as Event Host Since the real White House is a working residence of a head of state, replicating its features would make a practical museum and event host. Wheelchair/stroller accessibility Full kitchens for catered events; dinners for 140, receptions for 1,000 Ball room and meeting rooms for gala events, debates, lectures, and conferences Offices; visitor’s entrance; restrooms The Museum could be reserved for private functions. Weddings and wedding receptions VIP dinners and political campaign events Business conferences and catered dinners Private overnight stays The Museum could offer educational courses. American history and civics classes in classrooms on the second floor of the East Wing Swimming lessons in the White House swimming pool
14	Special Events The Museum would host many events to ensure continued service to the community and attraction to tourists. December & January: Christmas décor and events can last all December and January February: Presidents Day celebration, with presidential retrospectives April-June: Easter, Mothers Day, and Fathers Day events July: week-long Independence Day celebration, with concerts and fireworks September & October: School field trips and a “haunted White House” party November: Thanksgiving Day community dinner in the State Dining Room The Museum could host national community events. Speeches and historical talks Political debates The Museum would coordinate with local community events and celebrations.
15	The White House Virtual Tour
16	White House Layout The White House mansion consists of: The Residence (main structure) The West Wing (president’s key staff offices) The East Wing (offices and visitor reception) The White House main structure is a four-story building with basement and sub-basement. Ground floor: smaller public rooms and special staff offices 12-foot ceilings On the north side, the rooms look onto “areaways” below street grade First floor: main entrance and grand public rooms 20-foot ceilings (East Room) Ideal for corporate events and dinners Second floor: family and guest rooms 18-foot ceilings Master suite and Lincoln bedroom Truman Balcony Third floor: family and guest rooms, and offices Much shorter (10 feet) and set back Sun room and promenade
17	The Visitor Experience Visitors would arrive at the Museum on Pennsylvania Avenue and see the fenced-in White House on one side and the open Lafayette Square and shopping district on the other. They would park in the large lots flanking the White House and walk or take a shuttle bus to the Visitor’s Entrance near the East Wing (just as at the real White House). There they would pay the entrance fee and get visitor badges. After passing through security, visitors proceed to the East Wing. Souvenir shop Exhibits on the early presidency and architecture of the White House In the theater, they could watch a short film of presidential history, families, and humor East Wing Second Floor would be museum offices Then they continue on into the Residence Ground Floor….
18	The Visitor Experience Visitors would browse the public rooms on the Ground Floor and proceed up to the First Floor and Second Floor by stairs or elevator. Most Ground and First Floor rooms dressed as replicas with kiosks playing video clips describing the history of the room Residence Third Floor would be museum offices They would then descend to the Ground Floor again and proceed through the West Wing colonnade Press Briefing Room and press offices with exhibits Then they would enter the West Wing First Floor Exhibits of modern presidency and White House life Oval Office and Cabinet Room dressed as replicas Situation Room and more exhibits on Ground Floor Visitors could exit the West Wing and tour the grounds by a guided electric cart tour or go on an unguided walking tour. The electric cart tour would end at the East Wing, where visitors could buy souvenirs and catch a shuttle bus back to where they parked (or wander the museum on their own).
19	Lafayette Square Lafayette Square is the park across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House. Replicating it would provided a picturesque place for community leisure and events that would be maintained and administered by the museum foundation. The park would be open and free to the public. It would be flanked by retail space designed to complement the museum.
20	Logistics and Funding
21	Central Location Northern Indiana (Michiana) is the perfect place for a large-scale patriotic-themed museum attraction. Centrally located in the US Strategically located on the 80/90 toll road that connects Chicago to Toledo and Cleveland, and on the 31 freeway to Indianapolis Big enough to support the project, small enough to avoid traffic issues Has a reputation for middle-American values and patriotism (Hummer, Studebaker) Conventions and Notre Dame give the South Bend area notoriety and potential. Attracts affluent and educated visitors Spurred the development excellent shopping, restaurants, and hotels in the area Spurred the development of a small but very good airport facility
22	Impact The project should have a substantial positive economic and cultural impact on the Michiana area. A major tourist attraction for an estimated 500,000 visitors per year An attraction for high-profile corporate executives, politicians, and scholars A public park A center for community events $20+ million in local labor and material expenditures during construction A professional staff of about 20 directors, historians, curators, and department heads An estimated 120 service jobs, post-construction Substantial revenues from retail stores in Lafayette Square shopping district Corresponding increase in revenues from existing area retailers and services There is no anticipated negative environmental or cultural impact. The proposed site would develop an agricultural location Little to no housing would be displaced Close enough to downtown to promote crossover revenue and visitation Relative remoteness would reduce any issues of noise and traffic Environmentally, the construction would compare to the construction of a corporate office complex Green construction techniques would likely be encouraged and supported financially by interested agencies and organizations
23	Models It’s very difficult to estimate the cost of replicating a 67,000 sq ft, 206-year-old world-famous mansion estate. Some model projects are available to help determine the costs involved. Studebaker National Museum 2005 new facility project (South Bend) $9 million, raised privately 24,000 visitors annually 50,000 square feet Professional staff of 8 National Underground Railroad Freedom Center project, 2004 (Cincinnati) $80 million 158,000 square feet Computer History Museum project, 2005 (near San Jose) $125 million, corporate and private Staff of 30 permanent and 350 volunteers 120,000 square feet Clinton Library project, 2004 (Little Rock) $165 million, raised mostly privately 150,000 square feet, cantilevered architecture, green design, solar panels Staff of 30 archivists alone GHW Bush Library project, 1997 (near Houston) 20,000 square feet of museum exhibit space $43 million, raised privately Additional $40 million for a conference center and school of government professional staff of 10
24	Cost A total of $30 to $45 million would likely be required, with the shopping district paid for by the retailers who will occupy it. The modular design would likely allow the museum to open its doors with $15 million and begin serving the community.
25	Funding Model The patriotic nature and national scope of the project lends itself to large-scale fund-raising at the highest levels, especially federal and corporate. Corporate donations $8 million Raised thru personal appeals, sponsorship of exhibits and events, VIP reservations Federal government $15 million Private donations $5 million Raised thru advertising appeals, personal donations, entrance fees State government $2 million + road building South Bend/Mishawaka local governments Zoning and permits Utility service extension A substantial degree of public donation and volunteerism can also be expected.
26	Next Steps Form a non-profit organization. Gauge the interest of South Bend and St. Joe County officials and citizens Commission an architectural firm to draft concept drawings Perform a feasibility study (public interest, location, infrastructure, etc.) Make first contact with White House historians Pursue broad-based support. The White House Historical Association State and federal legislators General public News media Corporate and major private funding sources Create a detailed development plan with cost estimates. Explore architects, contractors, suppliers
27	Contact For more information about this project or this proposal document, contact: Derek Jensen jensende@us.ibm.com webmaster@whitehousemuseum.org 574-315-8327 364 Pine Crest Dr. Bremen, IN 46506