Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

After our delicious and very filling breakfast at  The Egg House, we continued on our main mission, visiting the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Haven’t you wondered why they are call Libraries? Steve and I expected something that resembled a library. But Presidential Libraries aren’t libraries in the normal sense, they’re more like archives and museums. These facilities preserve the written record and physical history of each of our presidents. At the same time they provide special programs and exhibits that serve their communities. These libraries were described by President Reagan as “classrooms of Democracy”. They belong to us, the American people.

It all began with FDR

It all began with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who raised private funds and built a library which he gave to the U.S. government for operation through the National Archives. In 1955, this process became law when Congress passed the Presidential Libraries Act.

The American presidency is part of a unique heritage that is ours to explore. These Presidential Libraries give us access to archives, museums and special programs and preserve the documents and artifacts of our presidents and give us insight into the times in which these presidents lived and served our nation.

Reagan Library location

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library opened in 1991 and has informed and inspired more than 5 million visitors. It’s perched on a mountaintop with sweeping vistas of the surrounding mountains, valleys and the Pacific Ocean. This facility is one of California’s most beautiful and unique destinations.

The Library’s 100 acre site near Los Angeles represents the “shining city on a hill” often referred to by President Reagan. Appropriately it serves as the final resting place of our 40th President. His wife, Nancy Davis Reagan, is interred here as well.

Chronicling the Reagan Presidency

The Museum chronicles Ronald Reagan from his youth through his presidency. From a young man on his ascent from local hero and  college standout to the glamorous world of Hollywood stardom, all the way to the Governor of California and ultimately to the presidency, the Museum documents it all. For us, this experience was awesome as it integrated fascinating artifacts and historical documents along with dozens of interactive displays that paid tribute to our 40th President and his accomplishments.

Oval Office

There’s a full sized replica of the Oval Office, a podium where one can feel the experience of giving an inaugural address and you can board the actual Air Force One which served as the “Flying White House” for President Reagan and 6 other presidents.

And speaking of the Oval Office…each President and First Lady adds their own flair to the decor in the White House. Ronald Reagan was inspired by the West and added earth tones, western art, which included a collection of Paul Rossi bronze saddles and of course, a jar of his beloved jelly beans.

Also on display throughout the museum are hundreds of gorgeous and fascinating gifts that President and Mrs. Reagan received from world leaders, visiting dignitaries and everyday citizens. These incredible gifts tell a beautiful tale of respect, admiration and genuine love for our 40th President.

Air Force One Pavilion

Air Force One has a building wing of its own. It was exciting to actually climb aboard Air Force One and view the Presidential lifestyle inside this spectacular plane. Along with Air Force One, in the 90,000 square foot pavilion, you can view the Presidential Motorcade and a Marine One helicopter.

The Ronald Reagan Pub

The Air Force One Pavilion also is home to The Ronald Reagan Pub which has a really cool story behind it. In 1984, President and Mrs. Reagan visited his ancestral homeland of Ballyporeen, Ireland. To their delight local residents John and Mary O’Farrell named a pub in his honor. The president would frequently remark “John Kennedy got an airport, Lyndon Johnson got a space center but I got a pub named after me.”

President Reagan stayed in touch with the O’Farrells. In a letter dated July 17, 1984, the president reminisced about how much he and his wife enjoyed the trip and their Irish hospitality.

Because of the O’Farrell’s need for space to accommodate their family, the pub closed for business in June of 2004. But the contents of the pub were saved and shipped to the Reagan Library, so that guests can continue to enjoy warm Irish hospitality in the same wonderful surroundings of a vintage Irish pub.

Romance for the ages

The Reagans had a love story for the ages! To quote Ronald Reagan, “In the fall of 1949 I received a phone call that was to change my life and enrich it forever.” An actress named Nancy Davis asked him for help. She was worried about being confused with another actress of the same name who had a connection to communist front groups.

They met for dinner to discuss the problem, and both claimed to have an early casting call in case the dinner didn’t go well. They ended up staying out late into the night. Within a few months they were exclusive to each other. And on March 4, 1952 they got married.

Nancy Reagan is quoted as saying that “Almost from the day I met him, Ronald Reagan has been the center of my life, I have been criticized for saying that, but it’s true.”

For more than 50 years, friends, family and even reporters remarked on their extraordinary devotion to each other.

On the grounds

In addition to the more than 100,000 square foot indoor facility you can tour the magnificently manicured grounds which include a replica of the White House Rose Garden, one of the first major pieces of the Berlin Wall to be brought out of Germany, a decommissioned F-14 Tomcat and F-117 Nighthawk and President Reagan’s and Mrs. Reagan’s Memorial site.