Clermont, Florida - Presidents Hall of Fame

Call me old fashioned, but despite the staggering array of presidential ephemera, I miss this museum in its original form some 20-25 years ago as the "House of Presidents," as I recall. When you paid admission, you were ushered into a small dark paneled room with a dozen or so chairs where you would sit down. The first 10 or so wax presidents stood just feet away from you, silent and staring out, which was a little creepy in itself. A light would come on the first president and an audio spiel would commence telling a bit about the president. This would continue until the last president was highlighted. You would then be ushered into another dark panelled room with the next series of presidents.

When you finished with the last room, you exited into a little shop where there was a hole cut into a wall -- you could peer into and see the audio equipment that played the spiels.

A 'score' of years later, I was a bit saddened to see those original figures now disheveled and stuck here and there amidst the huge collection of presidential items. These other things were quite interesting, don't get me wrong, but I felt sorry for these old wax Presidents, some of which were losing their wigs and fingers. [Ron Jaffe, 10/24/2005]

[RA: The Hall of Presidents in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, operated the same way (maybe it still does), with chronological groups of presidents telling the story of America "in their own voices." It took almost an hour to wade through all the rooms -- too slow for today's soundbite kids. The format eventually faltered in some places, and the Chief Executives clammed up...]

Well, what a terrible array of write-ups on one of the most fascinating museums in the state, perhaps even the nation. Every writer has documentation that is inaccurate. First of all, the price paid is $9.95 for adults and $4.95 for children and it always has been that. Each adult gets a free yearly pass. The exhibits inside are glorious and extremely well done. The curator/owner John Zweifel is a well known artisan in miniature, so therefore miniaturized rooms from the White House and Oval Offices are on display along with a circus that he created and a White House being constructed. The model of the White House that travels is not in 1/18th scale, but in 1/12th scale. It has not been at the museum since 2001 and its return is undecided at this time. However, the multitude of artifacts and displays are well worth seeing and guests come back over and over as new exhibits are constantly being added. I feel that the writers on this attraction should take a better look at America as this is what the museum represents. Most patriotic place in America to visit. And, not affiliated with the Citrus tower in any way at all, as most people seem to assume. [Carol, Presidents Hall of Fame Manager, 08/17/2005]

This is a Citrus Tower parasite, although it is more of a functioning attraction than its host. It's just as empty of people, but more full of stuff.

There is a big, now peeling, painting of Ronald Reagan on its exterior. Around the corner stands a big Statue of Liberty replica. The facade of the building attempts to replicate the White House, but a Greek pediment and pillars have been stuck on the front, under which shelters a replica of the seated Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial!

In the gift shop, and free for the viewing, is a display of a cadaverous, zombielike George W. and Laura Bush standing around an elaborate dinner table with Lincoln lurking in the shadows behind them. It emblemizes all that is wrong and appealing about wax museums -- and also the limitations of that appeal. [Roadsideamerica.com, 05/04/2003]

Well, I've been twice now, and each time the model of the White House is on tour. They gave me a "VIP" pass the first time so I could come back, but it always slips my mind until Christmas time. I really want to see the model... They really have an amazing collection of ephemera -- invitations, christmas cards, matchbooks. Very patriotic, very Florida Tourist Ding. [Al Pergnade, 04/13/2003]

This place is crazy! I think we were the only visitors there all week. Kitsch-o-rama. Poor President Clinton had fallen over, some president's wax finger had fallen off, and President Carter had a pin-head! It was pricey for what you're getting, but makes for lots of laughs. Visit the Citrus Tower while you're there and eat lunch at Jack Benny's in Minneola for a wonderful day! [April, 03/18/2001]