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In reading about the recent death of President Ford, it occured to me that I have never been to a Presidential Library. And other than Nixon, Clinton, Regan, Bush Sr and now Ford... I do not even know where they are.

I know it is customary for Former presidents to have them... but I wonder, are they just buildings dedicatated to the lives of the President..or are they a place to check out the latest Hiassen novels as well?

Has anyone been? If so... what were your impressions.

I've been to the LBJ library (UT-Austin) and poppa Bush's (Texas A&M) library.

They are not places to check out books, though they are both located at Universities with great library facilities.

From what I understand, if you wanted to reserach the individual or political events of the time, you can access the files at the Presidental library. They mainly tell the stories of their lives and what was going on during their terms in office.

I liked LBJ's over Bush Sr. They had a sweet tribute to his love affair with Lady Bird. They also had a exhibit of the political cartoons of LBJ and some of his comments to them. He had a sense of humor about them.

I have a good friend who does all the computer networking over in the political science department at A&M. His office window faces the courtyard to the Bush's private residence at the library. He has gotten to work and has seen george and barbara having breakfast. I was there one day when Millie got out (or one of the pups) and the secret service were chasing her around the courtyard.

txaggirl91 wrote:I've been to the LBJ library (UT-Austin) and poppa Bush's (Texas A&M) library.

They are not places to check out books, though they are both located at Universities with great library facilities.

From what I understand, if you wanted to reserach the individual or political events of the time, you can access the files at the Presidental library. They mainly tell the stories of their lives and what was going on during their terms in office.

I liked LBJ's over Bush Sr. They had a sweet tribute to his love affair with Lady Bird. They also had a exhibit of the political cartoons of LBJ and some of his comments to them. He had a sense of humor about them.

I have a good friend who does all the computer networking over in the political science department at A&M. His office window faces the courtyard to the Bush's private residence at the library. He has gotten to work and has seen george and barbara having breakfast. I was there one day when Millie got out (or one of the pups) and the secret service were chasing her around the courtyard.

nice info Janice.... very interesting....

a private residence? I would have never guessed....

I have been to the Reagan in Simi Valley, Ca and the Nixon in Yorba Linda, Ca.

I visited the Nixon first and was very impressed at the effort put into covering his entire life and his commentary explaining many of the policy and political decisions. I felt that the watergate thing was covered pretty well also. The Viet Nam POW section was stunning. Tons of artifacts, space race stuff, political buttons and signs, helicopter, limo and of course a piece of the Berlin Wall which was displayed very well.

After seeing the Nixon library and seeing so much commentary, I found the Reagan library very disappointing. It was obvious that he was not much of a contributor (for obvious reasons) It felt more like Nancy was telling her fairytale. The timeline information is there but very little insight. The gift displays were neat, Cool belt buckle collection and a great saddle collection. I expected more of the Reagan library.

I have been to the JFK library in South Boston. It has exhibits from his life. His report cards, the furniture from the oval office from when he served. Even the coconut he used to carve a rescue message upon when his ship was cut in half by a destroyer. It also has an archives section that you can access if you are doing research and receive permission.

I have also been to the JFK library which, as I remember, is on the U of Mass campus. It is a beautiful building, and on a day with good weather, there is a spectacular view of Boston.

The museum exhibits were quite impressive, focusing not only on JFK but also on his brother Robert.

I have been there twice-the last time I was with a friend who had never been to Boston before and did not want to go to the JFK library, but I insisted. It wound up being her favorite thing from the trip.

How funny is it that the Bill Clinton Library looks like a double-wide?

LIPH wrote:How funny is it that the Bill Clinton Library looks like a double-wide?

Interesting... $8 gets you in the door.... I guess its better than having the tax payers pay for all of it...

its a slow work week...so I found this info...

A Presidential Library is like a time capsule. Inside, you can find important documents, records, and letters. These are referred to as the Presidential Papers. You will also find audiovisual materials, campaign memorabilia, and gifts to the President and First Family.

Audiovisual materials might include photographs of the President and First Family carrying out official duties, films, and tapes of speeches and press conferences. Campaign memorabilia, such as posters and buttons, are also on display. The President and First Family often receive gifts from foreign heads of state. These gifts become the property of the United States government if they exceed a certain value. Gifts from American citizens may be kept, but are usually placed in the library as well. From these things, we can learn about a president and about the times in which he lived.

The first presidential library was established by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. He thought it was important for a president's papers and documents to be preserved and made available to the people. Since that time, nine more presidential libraries have opened, including Herbert Hoover's in 1963. The following is a list of the eleven presidential libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration.

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum - West Branch, Iowa
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library & Digital Archives - Hyde Park, New York
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum - Independence, Missouri
Dwight D. Eisenhower Library & Museum - Abilene, Kansas
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library & Museum - Boston, Massachusetts
Lyndon B. Johnson Library & Museum - Austin, Texas
Gerald R. Ford Library & Museum - Ann Arbor, Michigan; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum - Atlanta, Georgia
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library - Simi Valley, California
George Bush Library & Museum - College Station, Texas
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum - Little Rock, Arkansas
Also included in the Presidential library system is the Nixon Presidential Materials Staff, which administers the Nixon Presidential materials under the terms of the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act.

When a President leaves office, NARA establishes a Presidential project until a new Presidential library is built and transferred to the Government. Each President is responsible for financing and building his own library. Once built, the federal government becomes responsible for the administration and operation of the library. Teachers, students, and others come from all over to use the materials in the library for research purposes.

ToplessRideFL wrote:

LIPH wrote:How funny is it that the Bill Clinton Library looks like a double-wide?

Interesting... $8 gets you in the door.... I guess its better than having the tax payers pay for all of it...

its a slow work week...so I found this info...

A Presidential Library is like a time capsule. Inside, you can find important documents, records, and letters. These are referred to as the Presidential Papers. You will also find audiovisual materials, campaign memorabilia, and gifts to the President and First Family.

Audiovisual materials might include photographs of the President and First Family carrying out official duties, films, and tapes of speeches and press conferences. Campaign memorabilia, such as posters and buttons, are also on display. The President and First Family often receive gifts from foreign heads of state. These gifts become the property of the United States government if they exceed a certain value. Gifts from American citizens may be kept, but are usually placed in the library as well. From these things, we can learn about a president and about the times in which he lived.

The first presidential library was established by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. He thought it was important for a president's papers and documents to be preserved and made available to the people. Since that time, nine more presidential libraries have opened, including Herbert Hoover's in 1963. The following is a list of the eleven presidential libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration.

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum - West Branch, Iowa
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library & Digital Archives - Hyde Park, New York
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum - Independence, Missouri
Dwight D. Eisenhower Library & Museum - Abilene, Kansas
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library & Museum - Boston, Massachusetts
Lyndon B. Johnson Library & Museum - Austin, Texas
Gerald R. Ford Library & Museum - Ann Arbor, Michigan; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum - Atlanta, Georgia
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library - Simi Valley, California
George Bush Library & Museum - College Station, Texas
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum - Little Rock, Arkansas
Also included in the Presidential library system is the Nixon Presidential Materials Staff, which administers the Nixon Presidential materials under the terms of the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act.
When a President leaves office, NARA establishes a Presidential project until a new Presidential library is built and transferred to the Government. Each President is responsible for financing and building his own library. Once built, the federal government becomes responsible for the administration and operation of the library. Teachers, students, and others come from all over to use the materials in the library for research purposes.

maybe it's me, but I got a chuckle out of this.

LIPH wrote:How funny is it that the Bill Clinton Library looks like a double-wide?

Apparently that is supposed to be a representation of a bridge. With the thought being a bridge into the future. But youa re right, it does look like a double-wide.

Back to the original question, I've never been to any of the presidential libraries but I've been to Teddy Roosevelt's house several times - it's on Long Island.

LIPH wrote:Back to the original question, I've never been to any of the presidential libraries but I've been to Teddy Roosevelt's house several times - it's on Long Island.

I've been to his western "cabin" out in Medora if that counts...

LIPH wrote:Back to the original question, I've never been to any of the presidential libraries but I've been to Teddy Roosevelt's house several times - it's on Long Island.

in Oyster Bay? I actually think I drove by it.....

Interesting there are no "libraries" before H. Hoover.... I guess they didnt think of it....

Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay. I haven't been there in a few years, maybe I should go back next year.

ToplessRideFL wrote:

LIPH wrote:Back to the original question, I've never been to any of the presidential libraries but I've been to Teddy Roosevelt's house several times - it's on Long Island.

in Oyster Bay? I actually think I drove by it.....

Interesting there are no "libraries" before H. Hoover.... I guess they didnt think of it....

well, you know what they say about the Hoover presidency...

RinglingRingling wrote:
well, you know what they say about the Hoover presidency...

I am pretty sure.....

ToplessRideFL wrote:

RinglingRingling wrote:
well, you know what they say about the Hoover presidency...

I am pretty sure.....

"he was great at organizing relief following the 1927 Flood, but the reins of government weren't as easily-grasped"

fooled ya, eh?

RinglingRingling wrote:
fooled ya, eh?

nope..... I am pretty sure you would have slid it in there somehow......

I've been to the LBJ library in Austin and recently visited the new Abraham Lincoln Library in Springfield, IL (which was awesome and totally updated).

LIPH wrote:Back to the original question, I've never been to any of the presidential libraries but I've been to Teddy Roosevelt's house several times - it's on Long Island.

Sagamore hill. it is very nice. I went there a few times as a school trip I recall...