We arrived at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum on a Saturday morning. This was our
first visit to a Presidential Library. Fortunately, we allowed a lot
of time for the visit. We didn't realize the magnitude of the place
and the amount of information that was available. Exhibits combined
fascinating artifacts, historical documents, photographs, films, and
dozens of interactive displays that made for a pleasant day of
history.
The tradition of Presidential Libraries began with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was the
first to raise private funds to build a library that opened in 1941.
It was later given to the U.S. government for operation through the
National Archives. Prior to this time, Presidential papers and
records were often lost, destroyed, or sold for profit. There are
currently 13 presidential libraries located throughout the U.S., each
one offering a special place for all to learn about democracy and our
nation—without regard to political considerations.
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| SCENIC DRIVE TO MOUNTAINTOP PRESIDENTIAL BANNERS ALONG THE WAY |
The Reagan Library, located 45
miles north of downtown Los Angeles, in Simi Valley, CA, is perched
on a mountaintop with sweeping views of surrounding mountains and
valleys. We entered the grounds on a curving tree-lined mile-long
drive with colorful banners with pictures honoring all U.S.
Presidents along the way. The library is surrounded by a hundred-acre
landscape that includes a full scale replica of the White House Rose
Garden, President Reagan's grave site, and a 9 ½ foot-tall, piece
of the Berlin Wall that weighs over 6,000 lbs. There are benches and
picnic tables—all can be enjoyed without paying the entrance fee
that is required for the the library and museum.
The 100,000 square-foot Reagan
Museum consists of 24 galleries including a full-scale reproduction
of the Oval Office as it appeared during the Reagan
Presidency—inclusive of a painting of his hero, President Andrew
Jackson, bronze saddles, a jar of jelly beans and plaque, sitting on
his desk, that reads: “It CAN by done.”
On display throughout the museum
are hundreds of gifts President and Mrs. Reagan received from world
leaders, visiting dignitaries and others. There are lovely photos of
these visits, and I especially enjoyed looking at the interesting
clothing and styles of the time. There were displays of dresses worn
by Nancy Reagan in one of the galleries that was devoted entirely to
the First Lady.
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| AIR FORCE ONE |
Air Force One, that served seven
U.S. Presidents and carried Ronald Reagan more than 660,000 miles, is
on display and available for boarding. The press, who had to pay
their own fare, rode in the rear of the aircraft—the President
enjoyed comfortable seating and working arrangements in the front
section. Also, located in the Pavilion is the Ronald Reagan Pub
which contains original contents from a pub that was named in his
honor in Ballyporeen, Ireland—his ancestral homeland. The President
would often say “John Kennedy got an airport, Lyndon Johnson got a
space center, but I got a pub named after me.” The pub also served
as a good place for our much needed coffee break.
Ronald Reagan wrote his thoughts
and observations in his personal diary virtually every day during his
eight years as president. The Reagan diaries are on display and they
can be viewed digitally by date. Throughout all the galleries one can
find his personal notes, including love notes to Nancy. He was
referred to as the great communicator and famous for his many
quotations.
Ronald Reagan was born in
Tampico, IL in 1911. His family moved around the midwest until they
finally settled in Dixon, IL when Ronald was seven years old. He
served as the 40th president of the from January 20, 1981
to January 20, 1989. He suffered from Alzheimer's disease during his
last years of life and died in 2004 at the age of 93.
“I now begin the journey
that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America
there will always be a bright dawn ahead.” Announcement
of Alzheimer's Diagnosis
November 5,
1994
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| ACTUAL PIECE OF BERLIN WALL |
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| LANDSCAPED GROUNDS SURROUNDING LIBRARY |
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| RONALD REAGAN PUB LOCATED IN AIR FORCE ONE PAVILION |
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| VIEW FROM THE REAGAN LIBRARY |
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