The White House will open its grounds to the public for its biannual fall garden tours on Oct. 17-18, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., first lady Melania Trump's office announced Tuesday. The free tours, which traditionally take place in the spring and fall, will highlight several recent additions to the South Lawn, including a new helipad and an expanded beehive.
In a statement, the first lady's office said visitors will "enjoy the beauty of the South Lawn, the Rose Garden, the White House Kitchen Garden, the expanded White House Beehive, and the new helipad." The White House added that the gardens "provide guests with a unique glimpse into the grounds that have served as a backdrop throughout our nation's 250 years of history."
President Trump announced earlier this month that construction on the granite landing pad on the South Lawn, ordered for Marine One, was complete. The $6 million project was funded by Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, according to the president. The helipad's debut was initially overshadowed by a controversy over a press pool ban, as reported by networks boycotting the event. The president later unveiled the renovated helipad, calling it a "gift to America," as noted in the White House's announcement.
In April, Melania Trump helped unveil a beehive installed on the South Lawn that was designed to resemble a miniature version of the White House. The expanded beehive is part of the first lady's ongoing efforts to promote pollination and environmental awareness.
While the tours are free, tickets are required for all attendees. Timed tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis by the National Park Service on the days of the tours beginning at 8:30 a.m. outside the White House Visitor Center. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, as tickets are limited.
The fall garden tours offer a rare opportunity for the public to experience the historic grounds, which have been the setting for numerous significant events in American history. The tours typically attract thousands of visitors each year.
For those interested in other political events, the White House has recently been the site of various briefings and ceremonies, including a Rose Garden briefing that blurred the lines between justice and politics, as covered in this report. Additionally, the administration has been touting manufacturing revival efforts, such as the planned $15 billion steel mill in Iowa, detailed in this article.
The garden tours are a longstanding tradition, dating back to the early 20th century. They provide a glimpse into the official and unofficial life of the White House, from the Rose Garden where presidents have welcomed foreign leaders to the Kitchen Garden planted by Michelle Obama.
