Tuesday 3 December 2013

Ronald Reagan Library

Scattered across the United States are a number of presidential libraries.

There are two in Southern California. One is dedicated to Richard Nixon in Yorba Linda.

We stopped to see the Ronald Reagan Library as we were driving by Simi Valley.



The grounds and architecture of the Library evoke the ranch lifestyle of the President.








Inaugural attire of the President and First Lady.



Video footage shows the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan on Monday, March 30, 1981, 69 days into his presidency. While leaving a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., President Reagan and three others were shot and wounded by John Hinckley, Jr.



Replica of the Oval Office during President Reagan's years in the White House.

He enjoyed earth tones and western-style memorabilia.


Every President has a painting of the first President in the Oval Office.

Reagan chose a portrait of George Washington in his General's attire.



Interactive self-test. I had a perfect score. Now I am ready for a state dinner!



Air Force One, the Flying White House, tail number 27000, served seven U.S. Presidents from 1973 to 2001, including Presidents Nixon, Carter, Ford, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton and George W. Bush.

While walking through the plane, the guide told us that the press liked it best when Nancy Reagan wasn't aboard as it meant that President Reagan was likely to come to the back of the plane and chat. It also meant 'cake'. When Nancy was with him, healthy food was served.


Could not get the entire plane in one frame, so here is the front.

And here is the back.


No pictures were allowed inside but it was fun to walk through the plane and see the old phones, old copy/fax machines, old typewriters, etc.





There are a number of portraits of Ronald Reagan including one made from butterfly wings. 

This one is made of jelly beans.




On the grounds there is a replica of the White House South Lawn.

Roses and all.





On display is a 6,338 pound, 9-1/2 foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall.

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! " 
- Ronald Reagan, June 12, 1987


Following his passing on June 5, 2004, President Ronald Reagan was laid to rest at the Reagan Library on June 11, 2004.

Inscription: "I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always
eventually triumph and there is purpose and worth to each and every life."



2 comments:

  1. I've been wanting to visit this but I was afraid if I stepped my Progressive Liberal feet on the property that I might burst into flames. I do want to take that etiquette test, though.

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  2. I hear ya, I was much more comfortable at the JFK Library in Boston! You would pass the etiquette test with flying colors :-)

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