First Lady Melania Trump is opening the doors of the White House’s family theater to visitors during East Wing tours for the first time in history. The new addition to the self-guided tours kicked off today, according to a White House release.
“I believe everyone who takes the time to visit and tour the White House should have as much access to its rich history and wonderful traditions as possible,” the first lady said in the release. “It is my hope that our visitors truly enjoy the newest piece of the tour.”
The theater was created out of a cloakroom in 1942 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration, and it’s seen quite the transformation over the years.
It was remodeled between 1982 and 1983 during Ronald Reagan’s presidency to include 51 seats in tiered rows. Over time, the curtains also changed from gold to white floral. And it was upgraded again between 2004 and 2005 with a more 20th century theater vibe to include red comfy seats and decor.
The unofficial virtual White House Museum offers some fun facts about the theater, such as President Jimmy Carter holding 480 screenings over four years—that’s more than President Ronald Reagan watched in his two terms combined. Carter also became the first president to watch an X-rated film, Midnight Cowboy, in the family space. (Gizmodo has lists of every movie that Carter and Bill Clinton watched, plus here’s what Reagan and Nixon watched).
President John F. Kennedy customized the theater with the addition of his favorite rocking chair, and later an orthopedic bed, to help is chronic back pain while watching flicks.
Presidents and first ladies have also opened the theater’s doors to everyone from school-aged children to A-list celebrities. And some presidents used the space to practice speeches, like the State of the Union Address.
After a much longer closure than is typical between administrations, First Lady Trump announced in February that East Wing tours would reopen. The following month, the president made a very brief appearance during the first tour.
People who want to check out the theater, and the rest of the tour of the Trump White House, can request visits through their congressional representatives. Tours are available from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
