White House Historical Association Partners with White House & Nexus Studios to Create New Augmented Reality Experience
“1600” App provides new, interactive experience that transforms $1 bill into White House groundsWashington D.C. —
The White House Historical Association announced today in partnership with the White House and London-based Nexus Studios the release of a new augmented reality app about the White House. The free download provides users with a playful look at the People’s House over the four seasons.
President George Washington on the one dollar bill—the only president to not live in the White House, but who selected the site and laid the cornerstone—provides the gateway for this interactive experience. Available on Apple and Android devices, the experience merges the physical and digital worlds as the White House is built directly in front of the user.
“Connecting individuals to White House history is our mission and our passion,” said Stewart D. McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. “Partnering with the White House and Nexus Studios to bring the Executive Mansion to life in an engaging, and new way through augmented reality demonstrates the important role history plays today in creating meaningful education experiences and context.”
The experience contains a wonderful snapshot of the activities, individuals, and events that happen at the White House during every presidential administration and the multi-dimensionality of the project ensures users will find something new to appreciate each time they engage with the app.
The iPhone and iPad version may be downloaded here and the Android version here.
About the White House Historical Association
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. She sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. In 1961, the nonprofit, nonpartisan White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion’s legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association’s mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the Association has given more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission.
To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org.