Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. Announces Its $2 Million-Plus U.S. Presidents Gallery Featuring Wax Figures of All 44 U.S. Presidents to Open on February 17, 2011

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The ultimate three-dimensional tribute to America and its commanders-in-chief is one step closer to being a reality for the Washington D.C. area, as Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. today announced that its new $2 million-plus U.S. Presidents Gallery—which will house wax figures of all 44 U.S. presidents—opens its doors to the public on Thursday, February 17—just in time for Presidents Day.  The launch of the Gallery will make Madame Tussauds D.C. the only place in the world where people can see and interact with all 44 U.S. presidents.

"We are looking forward to providing the public with the unique opportunity to experience all of the U.S. presidents in a way unlike ever before," said Dan Rogoski, General Manager of Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.  "As the only place in the world where people will be able to meet and interact with all 44 U.S. presidents, history buffs, students and the general public alike will enjoy a truly unique and enriching educational experience at the Gallery."

Since the Gallery was announced last February, Madame Tussauds studio artists have been working tirelessly to create entirely new wax figures of 28 U.S. presidents.  In anticipation of the opening of the Presidents Gallery, figures of presidents have been popping up across the country.  Throughout the year, figure sightings have included: President Gerald Ford at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum for the 97th anniversary of his birthday; founding fathers George Washington and Thomas Jefferson at the Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia over the July 4th holiday; and most recently, Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, which took a road trip to Mount Rushmore in honor of the 69th anniversary of the monument's completion.  A lighthearted video of the trip can be viewed at Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.'s Facebook and YouTube pages; and a photo of the figures at the monument with their stone visages in the background can be viewed and downloaded at newscast.

A tremendous undertaking, each figure takes about three to four months to complete and requires an extensive amount of work.  In order to make the figures as lifelike as possible, Madame Tussauds artists have to study hundreds of photographs, and when available, hours of video footage.  Of course in some cases, the artists did not have the luxury of photographs or videos, and needed to rely on historical accounts, even paintings.

The U.S. Presidents Gallery will serve as a rich educational resource and include a curriculum focused on the history of the U.S. presidents.  The new curriculum will fully complement the attraction's existing and free comprehensive Educational Curriculum Guide, which was developed in accordance with the U.S. Department of National Social Studies Standards and National Council for the Social Civil Rights Movement Studies Standards.  The guide was designed to empower educators with the tools they need to deliver exciting lessons in areas such as history, political science, social studies and media – before and after visiting the attraction.

About Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.

Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is a fully interactive, full-sensory experience, where visitors are able to touch, see and hear major historical events and celebrities in a way unlike any other Washington D.C. attraction.  Recent additions to the attraction include music superstar Rihanna; actress, singer and teen sensation Selena Gomez; music megastars and teen sensation, the Jonas Brothers; superstars Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Penelope Cruz and Tyra Banks; as well as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.  Madame Tussauds is located on the corner of F and 10th Streets, NW, within walking distance of the National Mall and the White House.  For more information, visit www.madametussaudsdc.com or call 202-942-7300 or 888-WAX-IN-DC.

SOURCE Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.