White House in Miniature Exhibit at Reagan Library is on Display Until April 2011
Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 10:16AM 
The White House has long served not only as our president’s home, but also as the most enduring symbol of our nation’s capital and of American democracy itself. Every year, over one million visitors to Washington, DC tour this stately mansion, marveling at the history contained within its walls and the grandeur displayed in every room. Yet while the White House remains one of the country’s most popular tourist spots, most Americans will never have the opportunity to visit and experience the thrill of history in the making.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum brings the White House straight to you through its temporary exhibit, The White House in Miniature. This authentic recreation of the White House measures 60 feet long and 20 feet wide: a one-foot-to-one-inch scale. Taking over 600,000 hours of labor to create, the miniature is an amazing replica, showing visitors an intimate look into the White House - from the Lincoln bedroom to the Oval Office to tiny, working televisions to hand-carved chairs, tables and crystal chandeliers. There's even working lights, a TV, etc.
Built and updated by John and Jan Zweifel, this exact miniaturized replica is a wonder to behold. Modernized for each presidency and for each White House room renovation, visitors to The Reagan Library will be awed by this marvelous, intimate look into The White House.
In addition to the White House recreation, the Inside the White House exhibit will take an in-depth look at dining at the White House. The display will include a table with the Reagan Administration’s White House china, a serving table with a White House tea set, an invitation to a State Dinner, a signed White House guestbook and four of Mrs. Reagan’s gowns worn to these events. Other items rounding out the Inside the White House exhibit include an original Cabinet Room Chair, gifts given to the President and Mrs. Reagan, and a look at what it took to build the Oval Office.
Regular Museum admission applies to visit the exhibit. More info at www.reaganlibrary.com or call 805.577.4000.
This exhibit opened in March 2010 and will be on display until mid April 2011!
President and Mrs. Reagan pose in front of the White House replica in the early 1990s.
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Reader Comments (1)
I wanted to call attention to a new place for kids to go that is re-opening on this Saturday, June 26th? It's located in the Stagecoach Plaza at 1620 Newbury Road, Newbury Park, CA.
It's called Next Gen, which is short for Next Generation Video Gaming Arcade. This is truly an amazing place and I can tell you from personal experience how it’s not just a great place for kids who are into video games and just having fun, but I think it's a real modern community center. (http://nextgen-vga.com/)
I moved back to the Conejo Valley a couple of years ago and as a single father I was always looking for a place to take my son. At the time I was only able to see him on weekends although he lives with me full time now. But during those days it was difficult to find a place that he was interested in and more importantly, a place where he would meet kids his own age and have something in common. Because of our situation it was not easy for Nick to make and have friends that he could just hang out with and make a lasting friendship. He became more withdrawn and would rather just spend the weekend in his room watching TV or playing Xbox. I was worried that he wouldn't develop any social skills and have any friends. He began to connect with various gamers around the world, and although he was at least engaging in conversations with others. I felt he needed some real contact.
I found Next Gen two years ago and upon entering their space filled with 30 some Xbox stations, 42" flat screen TVs and gaming chairs, I immediately knew Nick would go GaGa. The owner, Cyd LaFettite was herself a single mom with two kids and had left her position with Lehman Brothers just before they went belly up. She told me it was here dream to create a place that the kids in the area could come to, have fun, meet new friends and be safe. It was all that and more.
My son (he's 16 now) became friends with Cyd's kids who introduced him to their friends and it has multiplied since then. He has made a remarkable change in personality and confidence. The kids that frequent the "shop" are amazing. Always polite, in fact in all the time the Arcade has been open there has never been one moment of trouble, destructive behavior or theft. And the best part is for parents. Here is a place they can take their children and it doesn't really matter if they know anyone. As long as they can game (and they all do) everyone is accepted.
I've seen single kids with divorced parents, whole families and everything in between come in and within a matter of minutes the kids are running around and hooking up with new friends as they join in on the various games. The systems are linked up so that it's not unusual to see a line of 5 to 10 kids all playing not just the same game but playing in the same game on teams. It's wonderfully wild.
This town is woefully deficient when comes for things to do for young people, especially something that they can relate to. I can honestly say that my son's experience with Next Gen has changed his life and that has to do with the people there and the atmosphere it has created. Nick found a place of his own as have so many others. And if you are not aware of the video gaming environment I can tell you what a great influence it has been. These kids aren't just into the games; they are immersed in the whole business. So much so that Cyd's son Clifton has been accepted into USC this fall with his major being Video Game Development. He got a scholarship for the Engineering department. My son has become amazingly motivated by his new peers so much that he has raised all his grades from Cs and Ds to As and Bs. I took him to the Arts Institute for a video game seminar and check out the college. We talked to the counselors to find out what kind of course he would need to take to be a part of the business and he was so jazzed that his decided to retake his Algebra 1 course this summer so he could improve he GPA and have a better chance of being admitted. I was blown away.