The United States of America has a complex fabric of democracy. Within it, few symbols loom as large as the Oval Office. At the intersection of politics, history, and public fascination stands Jimmy Warlick, an American man whose life’s work has been dedicated to bringing this hallowed space to the general public, including at national political events such as the Republican National Convention (RNC). As President and Owner of White House Gifts and American Presidential Experience, Warlick has crafted a unique niche, bridging the gap between the corridors of U.S. power and the public’s insatiable curiosity about the American presidency.
Introduction
At the heart of American political history lies the Oval Office, an iconic room synonymous with U.S. presidential power and decision-making. Former president Jimmy Carter once remarked, ‘The best way to enhance freedom in other lands is to demonstrate here that our democratic system is worthy of emulation.’ This sentiment underscores how the Oval Office, as the epicenter of American leadership, has long been the cradle of modern diplomacy. From shaping foreign policy to orchestrating peace treaties, the decisions made within its walls resonate globally, influencing international relations and setting the tone for diplomatic engagements. The Camp David Accords, brokered under Carter’s administration, are a testament to the Oval Office’s pivotal role in crafting diplomacy, as the President’s direct involvement led to a historic peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. Today, the Oval Office—see Photo 1— continues to serve as a symbol of American power and a breeding ground for the diplomatic strategies that shape the global order.
Few people outside the White House staff have had as much intimate contact with this hallowed room as Warlick. From designing replica Oval Offices for movies and exhibits to providing a behind-the-scenes look into presidential memorabilia, Warlick’s unique vantage point offers a rare glimpse into the history and aura of the Oval Office. I had the pleasure of sitting down with him, to discuss his journey, the evolution of his White House exhibit, and the timeless fascination with the Oval Office, and the presidency.
Memorabilia
Jimmy Warlick’s story started in North Carolina, where his early passion for politics led him to drop out of college, not once, but four times to work on political campaigns. His dedication eventually took him to Washington, in the District of Columbia (D.C.), where he worked in a congressional office. It was during the 1980 presidential campaign that Warlick’s entrepreneurial spirit truly emerged. Designing and selling campaign buttons for both former presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, he made a small fortune in just one week—a pivotal moment that would shape his future.
“I made over $12,000 in the first week, more than I earned annually for my congressman,” Warlick recalls. “That experience allowed me to travel, see the country, and be present at all the major speeches for both candidates.”
This success led Warlick to open a small memorabilia store, a venture that would eventually expand into six stores across major U.S. cities. His stores, sold original political memorabilia and attracted the attention of high-profile customers, including former president Bill Clinton, who frequented Warlick’s Washington, D.C., store located across the street from the White House.
“There’s something magical about holding a piece of history in your hands,” Warlick muses as he talked to me about campaign buttons. “Whether it’s a campaign button or a presidential artifact, these items connect us to the grand narrative of American democracy.”
The Birth of the Oval Office Exhibit
The idea for the Oval Office exhibit was born out of a simple observation. Warlick noticed that visitors to his White House Gift Store often expressed disappointment because they were not able to see the Oval Office during White House tours available to the public. Recognizing an opportunity, he decided to create a replica of the Oval Office. In 2001, Paramount Studios built the first replica for him, which was displayed in Union Station, the historic main railway station and transportation hub in Washington. This bustling landmark, located just blocks from the U.S. Capitol, provided an ideal venue for Warlick’s exhibit, attracting both locals and tourists eager for a glimpse of presidential history.
“It was a big hit,” Warlick says. “People had their photos taken with a George Bush look-alike. Since then, I’ve produced five more Oval Offices, which have been used in movies, “The Today Show” and “Saturday Night Live” skits, and other events.”
Warlick’s replicas have traveled across the country, from Los Angeles to New York, serving as both educational tools and entertainment for the public. His attention to detail and commitment to authenticity have made the exhibit a must-see attraction at events like the RNC, held in July in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“Our goal is to democratize the Oval Office experience,” Warlick explains. “We want every American, regardless of their political affiliation or socioeconomic status, to have the opportunity to step into the shoes of the president, if only for a moment.”
Behind the Scenes of the Oval Office
Warlick’s expertise in crafting these replicas is evident in the meticulous care he takes in ensuring their accuracy. Each replica is designed to reflect the specific period of a presidency, right down to the furniture, paintings, and even the infamous Resolute Desk, Photo 2 below. The exhibit in Milwaukee, for instance, was modeled after the Oval Office during former president Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
“This one’s decorated like it was when Ronald Reagan was president,” Warlick explains. “We try to stay as true to fact as we can, from the white sofas to the paintings of Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln on the walls.”
The Resolute Desk, perhaps the most famous piece of furniture in the Oval Office, has a storied history. Warlick recounts how it has been used by nearly every president since William Howard Taft in 1909. Its unique design, including a door added by Franklin D. Roosevelt to conceal his leg braces, is a testament to its enduring legacy.
“Roosevelt had the door added to hide his legs because of his polio,” Warlick notes. “John Kennedy famously used the desk, and there’s that iconic photo of little John-John playing under it.”
Warlick’s passion for historical accuracy extends beyond the physical artifacts. “Each president leaves their mark on the Oval Office,” he observes. “From the artwork they choose to the personal items they display, these details offer insights into their personalities and priorities. We strive to capture these nuances in our exhibits.”
The Oval Office Through Time: An Analysis
The Oval Office, more than just a workspace, serves as a barometer for the ever-changing landscape of American politics and leadership. Presidential tenures have had their impact and the Oval Office replicas helps us visualize and reveals the life-szie fascinating insights into the evolution of the American presidency.
Since William Howard Taft first occupied the Oval Office in 1909, 19 presidents have called this iconic room their workplace. While each administration has made changes to the decor, the extent of these changes varies. Warlick notes that some presidents, like Lyndon B. Johnson, made significant alterations, such as bringing in his Senate desk and adding multiple televisions.
“Johnson brought his Senate desk over,” Warlick recounts, he “had two TVs going all the time with the news.”
This detail about former president Johnson’s setup is particularly telling. Warlick has observed fluctuations in public interest in his Oval Office exhibits, particularly around significant political events. “During convention weeks,” Warlick notes, “we see a significant increase in visitors to our exhibits. People are hungry for a tangible connection to the presidency, especially when the nation’s political future is at the forefront of public discourse.”
This anecdotal evidence from Warlick suggests that major political events like national conventions may correlate with increased public curiosity about presidential history and symbols of executive power. However, without access to official White House tour data or comprehensive analytics on public engagement, it’s difficult to quantify these trends precisely.
Warlick’s experiences provide valuable insights into public engagement with presidential history, though they represent just one perspective on this complex topic. Further research and official data would be needed to draw broader conclusions about national trends in interest in the Oval Office and presidential history.Warlick’s recreation of different presidential Oval Offices offers a unique lens through which to view these trends. “Reagan’s Oval Office, which we’ve replicated here, reflects a period of renewed American optimism,” Warlick explains. “The choice of warm colors, the prominent display of personal items – these details speak volumes about Reagan’s approach to the presidency.”
As America is in the middle of its 2024 election cycle, the Oval Office remains a powerful symbol of American democracy. Warlick’s exhibits, by bringing this symbol to the people, play a crucial role in civic engagement.
“What we’re doing here is more than recreation,” Warlick asserts. “It’s about making the presidency tangible, about helping people see themselves as part of this grand democratic experiment.”
In an era of increasing political polarization, where trust in institutions is at historic lows, the enduring fascination with the Oval Office offers a glimmer of hope. It suggests that despite our differences, Americans and global citizens alike still hold a deep reverence for the ideals embodied by this singular room – a testament to the resilience of democratic values in an ever-changing world.
Challenges of Creating the Exhibit
Creating a replica of the Oval Office is no small feat, and Warlick’s team faced significant challenges in setting up the exhibit at the RNC. Unlike previous installations where they could drive the trailer directly into a convention hall, this time they had to cart the 18 pieces of the walls over a long distance, which delayed the setup, see Photos 3 and 4 of building the exhibit.
“Normally, it takes us two to three days, but this time it took us five,” Warlick says. “We were only a foot off in width and length, but even in this big room, we could only get the ceiling up to 12 feet, whereas the real Oval Office has an 18-foot ceiling.”
Despite these challenges, the exhibit remains a stunning and faithful recreation of the real Oval Office, down to the smallest details. For many visitors, stepping into the exhibit is a surreal experience—one that brings them closer to the history and mystique of the American presidency. As one past visitor to the replica said, “You can explain it, but it’s not like seeing the real thing.”
“Every challenge we face in setting up these exhibits reminds us of the complexities involved in maintaining the actual White House,” Warlick reflects. “It’s a testament to the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to preserve this living museum for future generations.”
The Public’s Fascination
The allure of the Oval Office is undeniable, and Warlick has seen firsthand how deeply it resonates with people. At the RNC, the exhibit was a hit with delegates, who marveled at its realism and the chance to step into a space that has played such a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s history.
“People just can’t believe how beautiful it is,” Warlick says. “It’s an odd room, being oval, and we’re only a foot off in dimensions. But it’s as close to the real thing as you can get outside of the White House.”
Warlick’s exhibit is more than just a static display; it’s a living piece of history that invites visitors to engage with the past in a tangible way, see Photo 5 below. For Warlick, the goal is to make the experience as accessible as possible, a challenge he faces head-on as he navigates the logistics of exhibiting the Oval Office replica at various events.
“What fascinates me is how the Oval Office transcends politics,” Warlick observes. “When people step into our replica, they’re not Republicans or Democrats—they’re Americans, united by a shared sense of awe and respect for the office of the presidency.”
Conclusion
Jimmy Warlick’s journey from a young political enthusiast in North Carolina to the creator of one of the most accurate Oval Office replicas is a testament to his passion for American history and politics. His work offers the public a rare opportunity to step into the shoes of a president, if only for a moment, and experience the gravity of the decisions made within those walls.
As the exhibit continues to travel and evolve, Warlick remains committed to preserving the legacy of the Oval Office and sharing it with the world. For those who visit his exhibit, it’s not just a chance to see history—it’s a chance to live it.
“At the end of the day, our mission is simple,” Warlick concludes. “We want to inspire a deeper appreciation for American democracy and the institution of the presidency. If we can spark curiosity and engagement in even a fraction of our visitors, we’ve done our job.”
In a world where political divisions often dominate headlines, Warlick’s Oval Office exhibit stands as a testament to the enduring power of shared national symbols. It reminds us that, regardless of our individual political leanings, we are all part of a grand democratic experiment—one that continues to unfold within the walls of that iconic oval room.
