Feature Story & Photos By Larry H. Oskin
The Clermont President’s Hall of Fame and miniature White House replica are a wonderfully valuable treasure trove of American history. Outside, you will be greeted by miniature replicas of Mount Rushmore and the Lincoln Memorial as well as one of the former parade limousines used by past United States Presidents. You will see wax figures of all of the U.S. Presidents inclusive of Trump, Obama and Clinton. The First Lady exhibition showcases replicas of their Inaugural Gowns. There are many thousands of items on display.
The President’s Hall of Fame is noteworthy as it has the largest collection of Presidential Americana artifacts in the world. It is estimated that over 50 million people have now seen this miniature White House as it has been featured on display in all 50 states, at Republican and Democratic National Conventions as well as with worldwide royalty. This fascinating White House replica has been featured at the White House, in Great Britain, The Netherlands, Japan and at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.
Miniature White House: The starring attraction is the miniature White House. You can see the entire 60 foot-long by 20 feet wide replica complete with the East and West Wings. Each room is fully authentic with artwork and decorations. Features include working mini televisions, crystal chandeliers and updated versions of the Oval Office as the decor changes with each administration. Their interior displays are updated with each president and each seasonal holiday. Many original artifacts and replicas are displayed throughout the extensive museum exhibition, including former White House china, old Christmas cards, historic letters, unique photos, authentic Christmas ornaments and the two champagne glasses that President Reagan and Gorbachev once sipped from in a toast. The replicas featured are absolutely amazing! There is Carolyn Kennedy’s bedroom dresser and a full-size model of the famous Oval Office Resolute Desk. The miniature White House was designed on a 1-inch to 1-foot scale.
You will also see 12 boats, with 4 valuable restored replicas of American battleships that were originally created by P.T. Barnum’s for the Circus Hall of Fame. You can sit with Thomas Jefferson as he signed the Declaration of Independence. Pay special attention to the diorama of the building of the original White House during George Washington’s term. You can stand at a replica of the President’s White House podium for terrific photo opportunities. Take the time to watch all of the historic movies. Their Gift Shop is loaded with more memorabilia on display. While small, you will need to spend at least 2 to 5 hours here.
Proudly Presidential! As President Gerald Ford noted when he first saw the miniature 
White House, “The White House is owned by all Americans, yet only a small number of people have ever had the opportunity to see it in person. John and Jan Zweifel recreated a home for our presidents and the first ladies to be shared with people in all 50 states. The White House remains a symbol of the United States of America and the First Family since 1880. To come to the White House or the Zweifels’ meticulous representation of rooms, helps us all to understand the past” and to feel a sense of continuity with it. We were delighted that while I was residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, we could be of assistance to them. Their miniature White House replica is a gift to the people, from the people.”
Ronald Reagan described this miniature White House as “A true national treasure.” The Presidents Hall of Fame in Clermont, Florida has featured White House memorabilia since 1960. Originally a popular wax museum called the “House of Presidents,” this original roadside attraction changed its name in 1990 to reflect its growing exhibitions. Today, the “Presidents Hall of Fame” includes animatronics, White House replicas and Americana miniatures. George H. W. Bush called it, “A wonderful contribution to our country!”
Presidential Hall of Fame Origins: Built as a roadside attraction, the original President’s Hall of Fame started here in Clermont next to the Citrus Tower as a wax museum in the early 60s. It was first built by Mr. Toole who was one of the two original builders of the Clermont Citrus Tower. When John and Jan Zweifel took it over, they first restored and rebuilt this roadside museum attraction with 1500 volunteers sharing over 500,000 man-hours of superb craftmanship, while also adding a very unique miniature White House and thousands of historic artifacts.
John Zweifel started at the young age of 4 to become an accomplished miniaturist, whittling objects from cardboard and carving figures out of bars of soap with his grandfather. Zweifel would watch the trains go by near his home, always hoping to see the Circus Trains. This inspired him to run away to join the circus as a teenager, where he worked and traveled across America. While still a teenager, he built a 14,000-piece mini-replica of a Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus scene. He loved building miniature replicas. He also became very inspired by American history and patriotism. John Zweifel took his first tour of the White House in 1956 when he was 20. He was immediately excited and obsessed to show all 127 rooms and more than the 5 rooms he was allowed to visit.
After several years of letter writing and calling, Zweifel was allowed access by Jackie Kennedy, yet she, unfortunately, didn’t allow him to see every room. He got to see most of the first floor, where he and his wife Jan, measured each room while making sketches of the furnishings, wallpapers and decorations. The Presidents’ family living quarters on the second floor remained off-limits. Zweifel proceeded to build his replica and finally got full access when Gerald Ford became president in 1974.
In time for the nation’s bicentennial celebration in 1976, Zweifel had nearly finished his model. He worked to replicate everything from chairs and carpet to paintings. He made postage-stamp-sized television sets and tiny vases filled with tiny fake flowers. He juggled his work on the model with his day job as owner of a company that staged events and created window displays at major department stores in New York City, Chicago and across the country. Today, the miniature White House resides in Clermont at the Presidents Hall of Fame. The wax figures are still there, including some that have unfortunately sagged and drooped a bit over the years. Zweifel adds, “We are working on fixing them and updating all of it. I’ll never be finished!”
Zweifel has been to the White House, the RNCs and DNCs as a personally invited guest by numerous Presidents and First Ladies. Today he remains totally embraced in finding true one-of-a-kind authentic historic American Presidential artifacts as well unique replicas. Zweifel has received worldwide attention. John Zweifel has turned into the epitome of his role model, P.T. Barnum! He is very proud that his miniature White House have been featured multiple times in People and Time Magazines, on nationally televised TV shows and in movies. Zweifel has been nominated by Nancy Reagan and 4 different First Ladies for Arts Awards.
The White House In Miniature Book: This amazing book shares the history of the museum, details of what it took to construct the miniature White House and much more about American history. This book is now on sale for only $15, regularly $29.
Ambassadors of Patriotism: John Zweifel invites everyone to become an Ambassador of Patriotism to help share American history and positive spirit. Ask about how to get involved, when you visit or check out their website for more information. You will merely be asked to place your hand over your heart, to help volunteer to help share the patriotic love for America.
Team Effort: The President’s Hall of Fame has a terrific team of tour guides starting with Joy England, the Museum Manager & Coordinator, John Zweifel, Jan Zweifel, Tommy Silvereagle and a large team of volunteers. If you love American History, you should explore joining their team.
Current Future Events: Melania Trump is coming soon – in the form of a new wax statue! Most exciting is that they are now planning to expand by tripling the size of this museum with a groundbreaking ceremony in 2020. They will add major new displays with a full-sized Oval Office and the Lincoln Bedroom. They celebrate most American holidays and are already making plans for the special 250thbirthday of America. They offered free photos with Santa this past week. Coming in July will be the opportunity for you to pose with Ben Franklin. Once you purchase a ticket, you can come back as many times as you want for the next year. Bring your cameras!
Clermont President’s Hall of Fame: The Presidents Hall of Fame is located at 123 Highway 27 in Clermont, Florida 34711 right next to the Citrus Tower. For more information, call 352-394-2836 or visit: www.ThePresidentsHallofFame.com.
EDITORIAL NOTE: Larry Oskin is a writer and photographer for the South Lake Tablet. He is the owner of Marketing Solutions / Art Beautique, offering creative marketing, media relations and professional fine art photography services. He is a Board Member of the Clermont Downtown Partnership, the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra and the Clermont Historic Society. For more information, contact Oskin at 703-508-6800 or at LOskin@MktgSols.com. .com.
