Melania Trump announces reopening of White House Visitor's Office

Melania Trump announced that she will reopen the White House for tours. The “People’s House” is scheduled to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors for the first time during the administration of US President Donald Trump after a multi-week hiatus.

"I am excited to reopen the White House to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come each year. The White House is a remarkable and historic site and we are excited to share its beauty and history,” the first lady said in a statement. She added that she is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the White House.

Visitors can visit the White House free of charge. But those who want to go for a visit have to do some advance planning. Would-be guests must also submit a public tour requests through a member of Congress.

Anyone who wishes to visit 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is encouraged to inquire as soon as possible because space is limited. First come, first served basis applies.

The White House Visitor's Office has been closed for visitors since Trump’s inauguration as management and staff had not been assigned. Visitors can now see public and historic areas of the White House, as well as the redecoration that the first lady is reportedly doing. Melania hired interior designer Tham Kannalikham, notes AoL News. Kannalikham is known for his classic and subdued taste.

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, senior adviser to the first lady, said Melania appreciates the historical aspects of the White House. “They are focusing on a seamless integration of elegance and comfort into where the president, the first lady, and Barron will be spending their family time and calling their home," she said in a statement to WWD. Wolkoff said Melania will be "moving to D.C. and settling in to the White House at the end of the school year,” notes CNN.

In a video released in his final days as president, former POTUS Barack Obama joked that he and his wife, Michelle “were just renters here.””The owners are the American people and all those invested in creating this amazing place with so much history,” he said.

Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush also greeted some 3,000 visitors during their stay on Pennsylvania Avenue."I just want to remind everybody that this is not our house," Bush said. He recognised it was the people's house and had to be shared with people over the country.