Trust for the National Mall President and CEO Catherine Townsend discusses the National Mall Gateway, a digital platform that brings history, civics and immersive learning to students everywhere—just in time for America’s 250th anniversary.
INTERVIEW | by Victor Rivero
TRUST FOR THE NATIONAL MALL
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, the National Mall is poised to become an even more powerful hub for civic learning. Through a new digital platform called the National Mall Gateway, educators and students can explore monuments, memorials and the stories of American democracy in ways that go far beyond traditional field trips. With interactive maps, 360-degree tours, multimedia storytelling and tools designed specifically for teachers, the Gateway helps transform the National Mall into a dynamic “living history and civics classroom.”
‘With interactive maps, 360-degree tours, multimedia storytelling and tools designed specifically for teachers, the Gateway helps transform the National Mall into a dynamic “living history and civics classroom.”’
In this interview, Catherine Townsend, President and CEO of the Trust for the National Mall, discusses how the platform expands access to America’s Front Yard for learners everywhere—whether visiting in person or exploring from classrooms and homes around the world. She also reflects on the partnerships that made the initiative possible and what lies ahead as the nation prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding.
The National Mall Gateway is described as transforming the Mall into a “living history and civics classroom.” How does the platform use technology to change the way students and educators engage with the Mall?
The National Mall Gateway uses technology to deliver a new way for students to learn history and civics through the National Mall, moving beyond static viewing into active, immersive learning experiences. The platform is built with both educators and students in mind, allowing classrooms to experience the National Mall virtually while also helping them navigate the Mall and make the most of their time when visiting in person.
As we approach America’s 250th, there’s never been a more important time to connect students to history through the National Mall.
Key features of the Gateway include:
—Interactive maps to plan in-person visits or explore the Mall virtually
—360-degree video tours of monuments and memorials that make it feel like you can almost reach out and touch the inscriptions in marble and stone
—Multimedia “Mall Moments” that reveal the stories behind historic events on the Mall
—A customized portal where teachers can download and save lessons for the classroom
From the Trust’s past virtual classrooms and educational programming, we know there is strong demand for this kind of virtual content from around the world. For on-site visits, educators want the Mall’s history at their fingertips while teaching students on the ground. We’re honored to share this content with educators for America’s 250th in 2026 and for generations to come.
How can educators use the platform to plan an in-person trip and navigate the Mall onsite?
The Gateway was designed by educators, for educators, in consultation with leading technology experts. It serves as a companion for in-person visits, helping teachers make the most of their time on the National Mall.
Custom Itineraries: The trip-builder tool allows teachers to create personalized learning journeys and optimize their time. They can preload historical context for each landmark and site they plan to visit, including places like the U.S. Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center. Teachers can also connect students to the Gateway’s “Mall Moments,” highlighting pivotal events that have shaped our nation’s history.
Onsite Guidance via Mobile: The platform is optimized for mobile devices, putting the history of the Mall—as well as practical information like water, restrooms and concessions—right in your pocket.
Integration with Experts Onsite: The Gateway works alongside our award-winning Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) corps on the National Mall. These volunteers partner with National Park Service rangers to welcome, educate and guide visitors, and the Gateway is woven into their training. Educators can use the platform to prepare classes in advance for conversations led by our volunteers, creating richer learning experiences.
Even when access to park rangers or physical sites is limited—during early morning visits, nighttime tours, or events like the recent government shutdown—the Gateway remains open as a 24/7 digital educational resource.
Accessibility is a key theme—the platform allows students anywhere in the world to explore America’s Front Yard virtually. How can educators use it for virtual visits?
One of the main goals of the Gateway was to make the National Mall accessible beyond its physical boundaries. I grew up in California and didn’t have the opportunity to visit the Mall on a traditional class trip. Millions of students worldwide can’t visit due to distance or budget, so expanding virtual access—especially ahead of America’s 250th—is critical.
During the pandemic, we saw strong demand for digital access through our live cameras—MonumentCam and BloomCam—and our Virtual Classroom programming. The Gateway builds on that momentum and ensures the Mall and its history remain accessible to students everywhere.
Students can explore timelines featuring events that have shaped our democracy or dive into site cards and Mall Moments that bring the National Mall’s history to life. With rich digital content, it’s almost as if they can reach out and touch the monuments, statues and inscriptions—from a classroom in Kansas or a kitchen table in Oregon.
The Gateway was developed with the National Park Service and technology partners like HP, Inc. What role did these partnerships play in bringing the platform to life?
Multiple partners—and leaders on our Board—recognized the vision for this platform and the demand for new ways to experience and learn from the National Mall both onsite and virtually. The Gateway represents public-private partnership at its best, and it would not have been possible without collaboration between the Trust, the National Park Service and our generous funders, including lead partner HP, Inc.
Our partnership with the National Park Service is the foundation of everything we do. Together, we tell the stories of America’s Front Yard. NPS rangers are the stewards of this national treasure and the interpreters who share its history and symbolic role.
There is also a long tradition of private philanthropy on the National Mall, dating back to the construction of the Washington Monument. Every monument and memorial on the Mall has been built or restored through private support, and the Gateway continues that tradition.
The Trust secures private donations to restore, preserve and enhance the Mall. Federal funding alone is not enough. Contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations help bring this national treasure to life for visitors and students worldwide.
HP, Inc., our lead partner on the Gateway, recognized early on the potential of the platform to expand access and civic learning. They saw the value of the technology and supported building this innovative digital platform. The National Mall Gateway was also generously supported by GE Aerospace.
Looking ahead to America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, what role do you see the Gateway playing in inspiring the next generation of informed and engaged citizens?
And what new technologies or features are you exploring?
Every time I explore the Gateway platform, I learn something new. It offers everyone an opportunity to engage with American history and become more active citizens as we approach the 250th. We hope the anniversary will inspire people to reconnect with the history of our nation’s founding and continue learning in the years ahead.
The Gateway will play a central role in strengthening civic learning for America’s 250th. We expect 50 million visitors to the National Mall in 2026, and the platform will help them connect with history in meaningful ways.
Looking ahead, the Gateway will integrate with National Park Service interpretation, our Volunteers-In-Parks program and the Trust’s educational programming on the Mall. It will also connect to future restoration projects and new sites, including the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft Museum opening in 2026.
The Trust is committed to continually expanding and improving the platform. We are currently developing a Spanish translation of the site, with additional languages to follow. New “Mall Moments,” educational activities and features will continue to be added.
In the future, educators will see more personalized experiences on the platform, including secure AI tools and potential augmented and virtual reality features that are easy to use. The next generation of the Gateway will bring the National Mall experience to an even wider audience of learners around the world.
Educators can sign up for the Gateway at https://gateway.nationalmall.org/en.
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Victor Rivero is Executive Producer of Future Focus Forums (F3) and Editor-in-Chief of EdTech Digest. Write to: victor@edtechdigest.com.
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