America’s front yard just got a digital upgrade. The Trust for the National Mall has unveiled the National Mall Gateway, an interactive learning platform that turns the nation’s most iconic public space into a living history and civics classroom—accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Developed with the National Park Service and backed by partners including HP Inc. and GE Aerospace, the Gateway blends cutting-edge digital tools with timeless stories of democracy. It’s designed to immerse students, teachers, and lifelong learners in the people, places, and principles that shaped the United States, timed to the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
“As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, the Gateway is a response to the growing demand for accessible and engaging civic education resources about the National Mall for 2026 and for generations to come,” said Catherine Townsend, President and CEO of the Trust for the National Mall. “The Gateway offers an unparalleled opportunity to help educators, students, and visitors deepen their connection to the National Mall and the story of America’s founding, inspiring a whole new group of informed citizens.”
HP’s CEO Enrique Lores added: “We believe enabling learning outcomes is essential to shaping the future of work. Our support for the National Mall and The Gateway initiative reflects that commitment – ensuring educators and learners everywhere have access to high-quality content that strengthens civic understanding and opportunity.”
Key Features:
Interactive Map & 360° Tours: Multimedia-rich views of monuments and memorials that bring stories to life from anywhere in the world.
Educator Resources: Free classroom toolkits, curated content, and virtual field trips from partners like the National Park Service and the Library of Congress.
Immersive Storytelling: Timelines and “Mall Moments” spotlighting milestones of American democracy.
Curated Itineraries: Personalized journeys for students, families, and visitors, including six walking tours with more to come.
“The National Mall is more than a collection of monuments and memorials—it is a living symbol of our nation’s history and democratic ideals,” said Kevin Griess, superintendent of the National Park Service’s National Mall and Memorial Parks. “Through the National Mall Gateway, we are proud to join the Trust for the National Mall in making this civic classroom and its stories accessible to every student, teacher, and visitor—whether they are exploring here in the nation’s capital or from across the country.”
The project also drew support from GE Aerospace. “GE Aerospace is proud to support this civic learning platform to connect the next generation of leaders and learners with the National Mall as we approach our country’s 250th anniversary celebration,” said H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman & CEO. “The National Mall is our country’s front yard, and the Gateway will serve as a doorway to discovery for students and families to learn and be inspired for the future.”
The first 250 classrooms to sign up will receive a commemorative map celebrating the Semiquincentennial. The first classroom to book an onsite field trip will earn special recognition and planning support. Educators and students are also invited to share their Gateway experiences with #NATIONALMALLGATEWAY.
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Original Article Published at Edtech Digest
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