Inauguration Platform History

Fast Facts about the Platform

• The inaugural platform is constructed entirely from scratch for each inaugural ceremony.


• The platform will be more than 10,000 square feet—the same size as the platform used for the 2005 inaugural, which was the largest platform ever built for an inauguration.


• On inauguration day it will hold more than 1,600 people including:

The President and Vice-President-elects and their families

Members of U.S. Senate and House of Representatives

Cabinet members and nominees

Justices of the Supreme Court

The outgoing President and Vice President

Former presidents

The Joint Chiefs of Staff

Governors

The diplomatic corps

1. In addition, bleachers built above the platform, on the Upper WestTerrace will hold another 1,000 people including choirs and guests.


2. It is built entirely of lumber, to protect the surfaces of the Capitol.The platform is fully ADA compliant.


3. It is a stadium design, which maximizes the sightlines for the guests on the platform.


4. It is designed to blend architecturally with the U.S. Capitol.


5. Planning and design of the platform began more than a year ago