Remembering John Zweifel

    "Let me show you my Jackie Kennedy letters," Zweifel said as he motioned to a four inch thick stack of papers. Opening the folder, I gazed upon dozens of notes and salutations sent to Zweifel by former Presidents and First Ladies, Members of the House and Senate, and of course, several addressed from Jacqueline Kennedy. Filled with White House memorobilia, the famed miniaturist's career brought him close encounters and friendships with several heads of state and their wives as he toured the US with his scale model of the White House. The model currently resides in Clermont at The Presidents Hall of Fame and also contains wax exhibits of US Presidents.

    Zweifel passed away December 30, 2020 of non-COVID related illness. His wife and lifelong partner died just a few months earlier. In August, I conducted what might may be his final interview at his home in Bay Hill. Due to Zweifel's advanced age I kept my time in his presence limited and took a PCR test prior to our chat, though he didn't seem to be concerned in the slightest.

Pictured: John Zweifel's White House China on display at his home.

    Pouring some wine into a pair of White House glasses from his collection, Zweifel proudly divulged his life story and opened up about the intimate relationships he developed with many a Commander-in-Chief. Though a stalwart conservative, Zweiffel shared friendships with political leaders on both sides of aisle, and received accolades from both Democrats and Republicans for his efforts.

Pictured: Above: A guest list from Presidents visiting Zweifel's Miniature White House.

    Zweifel first toured the White House in 1956 when he was only 20 years old. However, the experience left a lasting impression with him. He was already an extremely successful miniaturist then and from the ripe age of four, his talent began to shine through in small ways. As a child, Zweifel created any number of carved figures and practiced on objects from cardboard to bars of soap. In his teenage years, he built a 14,000 piece replica of Ringling Brothers. After graduating from the Universty of Chicago Art Institute, he worked at the World's Fair as well as for Walt Disney and the Department of State (and eventually several President's).

    Although his first visit to the White House meant that he could not see the entire building, he wrote to Jackie Kennedy and she allowed him greater access. James Becham, the first curator of the White House, worked with Zweifel on an event for the Shah in 1962 as well. However, this visit still did not include the entirety of the residence. He continued to stay in touch with Presidents over the years but it was not until the presidency of Gerald Ford that he was allowed full access. Zweifel finished his full model in 1976 in time for the bicentennial celebration. After completion, the model spent two decades on tour around the world. Today you can visit the model in Clermont at the Presidents Hall of Fame, where an even larger exhibit filled with wax figures resides.

Pictured: Zweifel and his wife Jan greet President George H.W. Bush in front of their exhibit.

Pictured: Left to right: Former Pres. Ronald Reagan, John Zweifel, Soviet Pres. Mikhail Gorbachev at the Reagan Library.

    When I sat down with Zweifel, he articulated how grateful he was for the success of his career and the White House project but says it could not have been done without the loving care and support of his late wife Jan. Both he and Jan continued meeting many US presidents throughout the years, including Reagan and Bush 41. On one ocassion with former First Lady Nancy Reagan, the President ran late and the First Lady conducted the press conferences on their own.

Pictured: Zweifel commended for his Miniature White House in letter to National Endowment for the Arts Chair Dana Gioia by Nancy Reagan.

Pictured: First Lady Barbara Bush congratulates Zweifel and his wife Jan on their project after a visit to the Bush Pres. Library.

   One of Zweifel's neighbor's, Judy Chandler of the local Republican women's club, recalled the audiene's magnetic connection to Zweifel and his many stories: "Our group just recently met at the Bay Hill Club. I think everyone was very impressed with his history and loved hearing what he had to say."

    Though John Zweiffel may no longer be able to tell us his stories, his museum and archives will be here as a testiment to his legacy and his immense passion for the United States. “He loved America and The White House replica was his life’s work,” said his oldest son, Jack Zweifel, 59, of Orlando. “He was an artist and it was his sandbox and he was always thinking of ways to improve it.” “He still had a hundred projects planned for it right up until the day he died,” he said. “He thought he was going home. The display itself is very patriotic but nonpartisan,” said Jack Zweifel. “We plan to keep it that way.”

    As I left Zweifel's home, he placed a book in my hands detailing his life story and interactions with political leaders. Filled with pictures and letters from throughout his career, he published the book several years ago to educate the public about the exhibit and encourage patriotism. You can experience Zweifel's inspiring story and his Miniature White House in Clermont at The Presidents Hall of Fame.

123 Highway 27 N Clermont, FL 34711

Monday-Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM

Sunday 12 PM to 4 PM