TR Robertson –As we celebrated another 4th of July, most don’t remember the full significance of the meaning of this day that led to our independence and would eventually lead to the election of our first President. Since we are also in the middle of summer, probably not high on your travel list, but a travel destination you will be pleasantly surprised with, is a chance to visit the fifteen U.S. President’s Museums and Libraries located in various states in the nation. All American Presidents have museums, birth homes, private homes and offices, monuments and other personal sites to visit; but not all Presidents have Libraries established for them. Ever since Herbert Hoover, Presidential Libraries and Museums have been established. These Libraries contain a multitude of books, papers, documents, artifacts, exhibits and historically significant items that existed and were created during the time that particular President was in office. Many of the Libraries have research facilities available on request for scholars and other interested parties to gain access to. A separate article will focus on the other sites and other tributes built for each of the Presidents. Listed below are the Presidents with both Presidential Libraries and Museums associated with them. All of these facilities can be visited and are fascinating to spend some time learning about the history of the U.S. during that President’s term in office, whether you lived during their Presidency or not. Most have a nominal charge for entrance.
If you are planning a vacation traveling around the U.S., think about adding a visit to one of these museums and libraries, spending a few hours to learn a little more about your country. You will also be pleasantly surprised with what you will find. In the President Ronald Reagan Library and Museum, you will actually have a chance to go in his Air Force One plane that flew President Reagan around the world during his term in office. The President’s Libraries and Museums are listed in alphabetical order with the address and city they are located. For more information about the Library and Museum for the President, click on the web site listed. A wealth of information will come up including cost, directions and detailed information about what you will see at the Library and Museum.
Presidential Libraries and Museums
President George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum – 1000 George Bush Dr., West College Station, Texas – www.bush41.org
President George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum – 2943 SMU Blvd., Dallas, Texas – www.georgewbushlibrary.gov
President Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum – 441 John Lewis Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia – www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov
President William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum – 1200 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, Arkansas – www.clintonlibrary.gov
President Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum – 200 SE Fourth St., Abilene, Kansas – www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov
President Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library – 1000 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor, Michigan
President Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum – 303 Pearl St, Grand Rapids Michigan – www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov
President Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum – 210 Parkside Dr., West Branch, Iowa – www.hooverarchives.gov
President Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum – 2313 Red River St., Austin, Texas – www.lbjlibrary.org
President John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum – Columbia Point, Boston, Mass. – www.jfklibrary.org
President Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum – 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, California – www.nixonlibrary.org
President Barrack Obama Presidential Library and Museum – 2500 W. Golf Rd., Hoffman Estates, Illinois – Not yet open to public – www.obamalibrary.gov
President Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum – 40 Presidential Dr., Simi Valley, California – www.reaganlibrary.gov
President Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum – 4079 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park, New York – www.fdrlibrary.org
President Donald J. Trump Presidential Library – Not built at the present time – www.trumplibrary.gov
Regardless of your political affiliation, these Presidential Libraries and Museums are fascinating places to visit. They all have unique displays and exhibits and a wealth of information that make learning about our nation’s history fun and educational. As our nation begins to return to some semblance of normalcy and travel once again becomes part of family activities, think about adding a visit to one of these Presidential Libraries or Museums. The next article in this series about U.S. Presidents will cover the various birth homes, monuments, private residences and additional museums that are scattered around the United States for people to visit as additional activities for family vacations.
