‘Air Force One Experience’ at National Harbor gives glimpse into presidential travel

WASHINGTON — Though the actual Air Force One is kept at Joint Base Andrews, a full-size 747 replica of the famous plane is now on display roughly 10 miles away at National Harbor.

The exhibit is part of the Children’s Democracy Project.

On Monday morning the plane made its way from Mt. Vernon to the National Harbor on a barge along the Potomac River.

“It’s a teaching aid to help children understand about democracy, using how the presidents travel as a means to explain it to them — everything from [George] Washington on his horse all the way through trains and carriages and up to Air Force One,” said Ross McLaren, of HLI Rail and Rigging, which is the company tasked with getting the Boeing 747 to National Harbor.

The plane has traveled by barge from Rhode Island, which is where it was revamped into the model of Air Force One.

Visitors can expect to see artifacts from the pre-flight days of past U.S. Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln on display, along with items used by presidents who traveled by air.

“[John F.] Kennedy’s original seat from Air Force One is there,” McLaren said.

The plane is expected to arrive at National Harbor Monday, Oct. 1, between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m, but the “Air Force One Experience” will not open until Oct. 19. It will stay at National Harbor through the holiday season.

A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of Air Force One makes its way along the Potomac River as seen from Mt. Vernon. (Courtesy)
A full-size 747 replica of Air Force One makes its way along the Potomac River as seen from Mt. Vernon. (Courtesy)
A full-size 747 replica of Air Force One makes its way along the Potomac River as seen from Mt. Vernon. (Courtesy)
A full-size 747 replica of Air Force One makes its way along the Potomac River as seen from Mt. Vernon. (Courtesy)
A full-size 747 replica of Air Force One makes its way along the Potomac River as seen from Mt. Vernon. (Courtesy)
A full-size 747 replica of Air Force One makes its way along the Potomac River as seen from Mt. Vernon. (Courtesy)
The Air Force One replica passes beneath the 301 bridge on the Potomac River. (Courtesy Vicki Bendure)
The Air Force One replica passes beneath the 301 bridge on the Potomac River. (Courtesy Vicki Bendure)
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A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of the famous Air Force One is now on display at National Harbor. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)
A full-size 747 replica of Air Force One makes its way along the Potomac River as seen from Mt. Vernon. (Courtesy)
A full-size 747 replica of Air Force One makes its way along the Potomac River as seen from Mt. Vernon. (Courtesy)
A full-size 747 replica of Air Force One makes its way along the Potomac River as seen from Mt. Vernon. (Courtesy)
The Air Force One replica passes beneath the 301 bridge on the Potomac River. (Courtesy Vicki Bendure)
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