A newly revamped replica of the Oval Office, located near the White House, now features the design that characterized President Donald Trump’s first term in office.
This mock-up offers visitors a unique glimpse into the presidential workspace, although it lacks the extravagant touches that Trump applied during his second term when he returned to power in January.
Starting Thursday, the exhibit will present the Oval Office as it appeared during Trump’s initial four years, though officials plan to update the display next year to include the opulent additions made since his re-election.
Stewart McLaurin, the president of the White House Historical Association, provided a tour of the ongoing renovations, explaining that just like the actual White House, the replica will evolve in tandem with the decor of the sitting president.
“Our Oval Office is a living space that changes and evolves as the actual Oval Office does,” McLaurin stated on Wednesday.
The replica is housed within a facility called “The People’s House: A White House Experience,” which serves as an educational center that opened last year, situated one block to the west of the Executive Mansion.
The design of the exhibit allows the public to experience an accurate representation of the Oval Office—something few Americans have the opportunity to do in real life due to security restrictions.
When the historical association debuted this center, the Oval Office looked like the one belonging to Democrat Joe Biden, reflecting the current occupant’s style at that time.
To provide an authentic representation, the association must carefully reproduce every item found in the real Oval Office, a process that can be time-consuming.
McLaurin mentioned that he prefers to wait until enough items have been replicated to achieve a significant makeover instead of gradually updating the display.
During his first term, Trump chose a beige-patterned rug that originated from the Ronald Reagan era, along with gold-colored drapes from Bill Clinton’s presidency and floral wallpaper that replaced the striped covering installed during Barack Obama’s term.
Trump has maintained these same design elements during his second term as well.
Another highlight of Trump’s Oval Office is the Resolute Desk, a historic piece used by nearly every president since it was gifted to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880 by Queen Victoria.
Additionally, Trump adorned the walls with prominent portraits, including a large depiction of George Washington above the fireplace, complemented by images of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson on either side.
Other notable artworks include portraits of Andrew Jackson and Benjamin Franklin, as well as busts of Martin Luther King Jr. and Winston Churchill placed on tables adjacent to the fireplace.
As the historical association works to reproduce items reflecting Trump’s second term, the organization acknowledges that the display will continue to evolve, especially as Trump adds gilding and additional decorative elements.
McLaurin indicated that they anticipate a transition to the second-term decorations within a year or slightly longer once all items are ready.
In a philanthropic gesture, any items created for Biden’s office will be donated to his foundation for possible use in a future presidential library, mirroring plans for any replicas made for Trump’s spaces.
The White House Historical Association, founded in 1961 by first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, aims to preserve the museum-like quality of the White House’s interiors while educating the public.
This nonprofit, nonpartisan organization operates without government funding, primarily relying on private donations and merchandise sales, including its annual Christmas ornament.
image source from：pennlive
