This week, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking at the Reagan Presidential Library on my book, Rage and the Republic. I was able to spend time with the outstanding staff of the library and the foundation, who were kind enough to give me a tour of this unique and inspiring place. I hope that sharing some pictures from the visit might lead some of you to plan a visit to the library in Simi Valley. It is truly extraordinary in the breadth of its collection and its presentation of historical artifacts. Give yourself a few hours because you will want to explore every corner of this amazing place.
The Reagans originally hoped to build the library and museum at Stanford University, but they were rebuffed due to the politics of the former president and the presence of the Hoover Institution (a conservative think tank) on campus. While the board approved the site, faculty and other protesters objected, and it was eventually abandoned.
After Stanford’s disgraceful opposition, a donor stepped forward to offer some land in Simi Valley, roughly 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles. When Reagan visited, he fell in love with the site. It is gorgeous. The foundation has now purchased another 300 acres, bringing the total to 400 acres, to preserve the beautiful view from the library.
Opened in 1991, it is now the repository of presidential records from the Reagan administration. However, it is far more than that and the museum is truly a thing to behold. The designers created a truly unique space that features Air Force One and period cars, including the presidential limousine.
Reagan and the First Lady are buried in a lovely spot facing West, as stipulated by the President.
The site clearly reminded Reagan of his beloved ranch, and architect Hugh Stubbins created the space in the Spanish Mission style that Reagan favored. When it was opened, four presidents stood shoulder to shoulder with Reagan: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush. Six first ladies attended: Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, and Barbara Bush. It harkens back to a more civil time in our politics.
In addition to the wonderful vistas, the site’s exterior features an F-14 Tomcat, a Stealth fighter, and an M1 Abrams tank.
The museum itself is not just brilliantly laid out but a heck of a lot of fun, from horses (shortened for better images) that you can sit on to look like you are riding with Reagan.
It contains items from Reagan’s youth in Illinois, including his college sweater.
For those who can remember the Reagan Administration, there are special items like Reagan’s microphone from his famous “I paid for this mike” moment in the presidential debate as well as Nancy Reagan’s Gridiron Dinner dress (that she wore after being criticized for looking too elegant in an earlier appearance at the White House).
There is also Reagan’s suit from the assassination attempt showing the entry hole. The suit was cut off Reagan, who was upset because it was his favorite suit. He then ordered the exact suit to be made and wore it for his famous “tear down this wall” speech. (That suit is also on display).
There are also the notes that Reagan wrote to nurses since he could not talk due to the breathing tube. They are charming and funny asides about how he felt spoiled by their attention.
One fun item is Reagan’s award of the Order of the Garter. By tradition, the original medal is used by the Queen and then replaced by a substitute. However, Reagan loved it so much that he asked Queen Elizabeth if he could keep it. Forgetting the tradition, the Queen said, “Of course.” Only later did her staff raise the problem and the Queen decided that Reagan could keep the original for his life and it would then be returned upon his death.
Two weeks after his death, Buckingham Palace showed that they had not forgotten the agreement and asked for the swapping of the medals. Reagan Library officials, however, sent them the visitor records for the library, showing that millions would see the medal. Buckingham Palace relented, so this remains the original medal. In the end, Reagan got to keep it.
There are also wonderful curiosities, like a portrait given to Reagan by an African nation, composed entirely of moth wings.
There is also Reagan’s favorite portrait of Nancy in his personal office – and of course plenty of his favorite jellybeans.
The highlight of the visit for many is the ability to walk through Air Force One. Seven presidents used this plane, though it was replaced by the current plane after Reagan. The plane holds original items from the typewriter used for Reagan’s speeches to the uniform of the officer who carried the “football” on his flights.
What is most striking about the plane is how small and spartan it was. It is quite modest and the President and First Lady did not even have a bed. I was frankly shocked by how drab and basic the interior was.
One curious item was a birthday cake. Reagan wanted a cake on every flight in case it was the birthday of any crew, staff, or press member.
Marine One is even more Spartan. This was not Reagan’s helicopter. It was the Sikorsky VH-3 Sea King used by Lyndon Baines Johnson, including the one that was used for part of the trip to take him back to Washington after the Kennedy assassination.
Near Marine One is a particular delight in the museum. Some of us can remember when Reagan visited Ireland and went into O’Farrell’s pub in Ballyporeen, where Reagan had a beer in 1984. The museum later learned that the pub was going to close, so they took it apart and rebuilt it inside the museum. It is all original and they actually still serve food and drinks from the bar during some events.
Here are a few more pictures from the presidential exhibits from the recreated Oval Office (with original furniture and art) to the motorcade vehicles to the sweater that Reagan wore in the hospital:
Another delight of the museum is its rotating special exhibit. I was fortunate to make it before the end of its cowboy exhibit, a subject that is perfect for a Reagan museum. As a Western movie fan, I was in pig’s heaven.
The exhibit includes an interesting use of AI: it took a picture from the 1800s of a cowboy on a roundup and turned it into a moving film to give you a realistic view of the life of a cowboy.
The exhibit includes the actual stuffed dog and horse (Trigger and Bullet) of Roy Rogers, as well as Dale Evans’ horse Buttermilk.
It also includes Teddy Roosevelt’s buffalo coat and gear as well as the outfit of Clint Eastwood from Unforgiven and Pale Rider. There is stuff from Gunsmoke and even Kevin Costner’s gun from Tombstone. They even have the mask of the Lone Ranger.
I truly hope that you can find your way to the museum. It is a joy to behold. You will remember much and learn even more. Many of the staff have been there for over a decade and truly love this place. They are unbelievably knowledgeable and universally eager to answer any questions. I am a history nut, but came away with a load of new stories and facts about the Reagans.
Trust me on this one. Get yourself to the Reagan Library and Museum.
Thanks for taking the time to put this together, the photos were great.
Very nostalgic for me. A trip to a more civil time. I wish we could return to that time.
Civil time? Just days away from atomic war.
Liberals are the only vegetable that never pulls its head out of the ground.
Ah ha, Mr. Potato head makes an appearance.
Looks like a great trip. Thank you for sharing, Professor.
Great photos. Thanks a lot for sharing
Reagan handled his enemies with such clever good humor that even the haters laughed at the jokes made at their expense and professed to like him after he died. It was a wonderful time for our country, and what a beautiful and fitting presidential library! We have been, and I would go again.
Curious, who were Reagans enemies? Names?
Oh the usual cadre of Republican haters.
In other words, you do not know. How am I not surprised?
Same here. Conservatives have proven to be ignorant and stupid creatures. Kristin is proof positive. Sorry, Kris, as a MAGAot, you should have some grasp of recent history. Heck, google was an option but you chose ….
In other words, I’m not going to fight with you over who was and wasn’t an enemy. Have a lovely day.
Proof you have no idea. Think and fact check before posting.
^ Stupidest commenter on this blog ^
Actually, proof that I had you figured out correctly.
Everyone here knows that California is a completely failed state.
We all know that all the billionaires have left.
We all know that anyone with any wealth or entrepreneurship has left.
We all know that California is nothing but a hellscape of communists, and socialists and illegal immigrants who just sit around doing nothing but collect government welfare and benefits.
We all know that violent gangs of illegal immigrants roam the streets distributing drugs to schoolkids with complete impunity because there is no law enforcement.
We all know that hordes of homeless people roam the streets looting stores and businesses with complete impunity.
We all know that law abiding citizens cower in their homes afraid to walk the streets.
So who exactly would be going to these talks that Turley is giving ????
And who exactly would be buying his books in California ???
What exactly is the point of Turley going to the hellscape that is the completely failed state of California ???
Or perhaps the nonsense that spews forth from the MAGA morons here on a daily basis is just complete and utter bullsh!t.
More stupid from the gallery.
It’s obvious you don’t live in CA, and take any political narrative to its uber-simplified extreme.
There are more millionaires per-capita in CA then any other state. Sure, we have elected some poor leaders, and are enduring the final phase of “woke” policies. That said, we Californians voted out affirmative action in 1996, and stood firm in 2020 when our proggies tried to get us to repeal it. We still have the greatest State University system in the nation and the world. Our tech industries are the envy of the planet, including China.
Only a fool would bet against California being able to fix its problems, of which there are many. Show me a State that isn’t also facing big challenges.
Your prefatory statements are largely true. Your questions that follow are idiotic.
Thank you for proving my point that you MAGA morons are exactly that, a bunch of MORONS !!!
So, answer the questions I posed.
Are the illegal immigrant drug distributing gangs going to his talks and buying his books ??
Are the hordes of homeless people collecting welfare and looting businesses also going to his talks and buying his books ??
Are the communists and socialists that infest California going to his talks and buying his books??
You believe all the nonsense about the FAILED state of California and yet Turley has gone there 3 times in the last month to promote his books.
Turley knows perfectly well that there is a big market there and people buy his books.
Turley knows perfectly well that the nonsense being promulgated here in this worthless blog about California is completely false.
Turley actually goes out of his way to stoke the MAGA rage about California with the completely false and misleading stories that he publishes here, and that you MAGA morons swallow hook, line and sinker
You believe all the MAGA nonsense about California being a FAILED state run by socialists and overrun by illegal immigrants, gangs and homeless people.
And you know that Turley goes there frequently to sell his books because there is money to be made, even though he also publishes false and misleading stories about California.
This is the very definition of psychotic thinking.
The ability to hold two completely opposite and contradictory ideas in your head as being true is the very definition of profound mental illness.
You’re focused on LA. This place shows how awe inspiring the topography of California has and always will be.
Your comment exactly proves my point !!!
The Reagan Library is less than 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
It is part of the greater Los Angeles Metro area.
You obviously have never been there, know absolutely nothing about the area, and swallow the MAGA propaganda, hook line and sinker.
You are a moron.
An impressive Library. I had no idea of the size and content and would like to visit. I liked Reagan but did not vote for him the 1st time in 1980 as I was still loyal to Carter and the Democratic Party but I switched to Reagan in 1984 and never voted Democrat again. Reagan was easy to like and he did show what was possible and I still feel we were better as a people with his example. An admirable monument to his life and our memory of him
You voted for Reagan because you liked him, not his policies?
GEB did not say that. Hint: read for comprehension.
Would say the same to you. True he did not say that, he wrote that, in black text. Not hard to miss.
He used the word “like”. No mention of the man’s ideology.
You assumed a causal connection. He did not say there was one. Again, try reading for comprehension and use mental reasoning skills (if you have them), such as not jumping to conclusions unsupported by what the other person wrote.
Anon 11:27 won that exchange.
Here’s pro tip for you: before you criticize someone for saying something, check if they actually said that thing. Otherwise you broadcast to the world that you’re a jerk and an idiot, as you have done.
“We’ve won,” trump told a crowd in Kentucky on Wednesday.
“Mission Accomplished” said GW Bush years before hundreds of U.S. Soldiers and hundreds of thousands of Afghani’s and Iraqi’s would die in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Liar. Bush said “our mission continues” and “we have much more work to do.”
I stand corrected…On May 1, 2003, President George W. Bush delivered a speech aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, declaring that “major combat operations in Iraq have ended,” under a banner that read “Mission Accomplished.”
How many American soldiers died after that statement?
How many years were we in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Thank you for correcting the exact wording.
And how is trumps war different?
Trump is guided through conflict by wishful thinking, a form of self-deception. He is not facing up to the myriad traps that lie ahead. I wish he would. I want this war to achieve its objective of deposing the theocratic, thuggish, corrupt regime.
Quite a contrast to Barack Obama’s abominable Orthanc.
Contrast? So you’ve been to the unfinished Obama library?
It would be hard to come up with a stupider question. Have you ever heard of photographs, television, or YouTube? It seems not.
Proof again, showing how stupid conservatives are on this blog. Sure, yeah, just google it.
Proof again how stupid liberals are. It never occurred to you that someone could compare two buildings by looking at photos and videos of them.
We visited many years ago – before the stealth bomber was there. It reinvigorated a sense of pride and patriotism and reminded me of how much I miss that man!
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Thank you professor for the pictures and the history. Much appreciated!
Clint Eastwood’s Pale Rider and Unforgiven, two of my favorite Westerns.
Thank you for the tour. When Stanford rejected the Library, President Reagan ended up in a far more beautiful place. Reminds me of a line that I love: “”Sometimes when Fortune scowls most spitefully, she is preparing her most dazzling gifts.” I think Churchill penned that one.
Great pictures (again)! TY.
It’s a big contrast to Obozo’s library, which is a concrete tower in Chicago, built that way to keep the hood rats from looting the place, and Biden’s library, yet to be built, but will probably be a toilet in his mausoleum, in front of a kiosk, where you can sit on the lid, put in a credit card to read the documents, and his relatives get 10%.
So you’re saying you visited Obama library?
WHY… explain
My expectations heading to the Reagan library were low. We were pleasantly surprised. The setting is beautiful, the architecture welcoming. The exhibits, the source of my low expectations, were actually interesting. Some of President Reagan’s speeches were far better than I remembered them to be. We’ll probably visit again some day.
The Carter Library looks nice too.
I can’t think of a single reason to visit Obama’s abomination of an authoritarian Soviet concrete tombstone. What a national embarassment.
Are you an expert in Soviet era architecture?
Curious, why an embarrassment?
Thank you, Mr. Gorbachev, for your communist perspective and insightful analysis.
BTW, Mikhail Gorbachev died on 30 August 2022 at the age of 91 in Moscow, Russia.
Good grasp of history you idiot.
Mikhail Gorbachev was not a communist per se, rather a social democrat based on his actions and policies. I know it hard for the low-minded people here to comprehend. Several books out there to read. Get smart people, instead of regressing.
Oldfish is the local idiot. Wind him up and he’ll make stupid comments nonstop.
The only local idiot. We have here is fools like yourself.
Ah, the local idiot pops-up.
BTW, . like yourself? A reflexive pronoun? Your “collage” degrees are showing.
Been to Moscow twice, total of 6 months, in the 90’s. The architecture in Moscow is astonishing, nothing like it in the USA.
Soviet era architecture beats the “capitalist ghettos” built during the same period.
So, you would not describe Obama’s foray into architecture as Brutalist? To me it looks aweful. What a total waste of a honey wagon load of money. The result of grift and mediocre minds. Definitely a national embarassment of epic proportions🤣
OldFish,
Obama’s has a more “The Empire” from Star Wars franchise then anything welcoming. Reportedly Chicago is on the hook for paying to keep it open and running.
You’ve got the mind of a child.
LOL… Upstate has a mind. You not so much.
Got a hard-on this morning eh?
Pull your panties up Dustoff.
Very impressive.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, had a total construction cost of $57 million, which included fundraising and construction expenses. This amount was privately raised by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. Some sources also cite a total project cost of $60 million, reflecting additional expenditures. The original construction contract was valued at $40.4 million.
This cost covered the building and endowment, with major contributions from donors such as Walter Annenberg, Lew Wasserman, Rupert Murdoch, and others. The library is managed by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), while the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute supports its operations, educational programs, and preservation efforts.
Wonderful pictures Professor, I’ll definitely visit this year when I in the North wine regions. Reagan was my favorite, Not to many in my area who agreed. May I ask what type and model camera do you use.
LOL So true
Thank you Professor. I’d go, but it is in California. If Reagan were still with us today, he’d build it in Florida.
Florida, today … man are you daft or whaT.
What an ignorant comment.
Yes, you are.
Thanks for this review of the Reagan heritage. For me … In the beginnings for both Reagan and Trump, I was skeptical: both were too unserious, too un-deep problem-solvers, too intuitive . It is only when I understood their operating models, did I appreciate what they were up to. A tale of two different models of the presidency. Reagan was essentially performative, having a strong moral and ethical basis, and a mastery of articulation. Trump is essentially a businessman, accustomed to dealing with very rich, powerful, and intelligent leaders. He was accustomed to and understood power. The Democrats, particularly Clinton and Obama, adhered substantially to the given narratives of their day, with Clinton more willing to compromise, and Obama wedded to working controversy. This is one advantage of now reflecting on first hand recollections.
Reagan = performative = actor, ability to act, as to appear sincere. No economics background.
Trump = business, understand economics, how to use financial might to achieve financial goals.
Now this is funny, “un-deep problem solvers”? On can only guess what that means. Don wants a Poindexter for president. A deep thinker mired in deep thoughts, unable to grasp any picture, big or small; isolated from the world around him. Sounds a lot like liberal universities – detached from reality.
Reagan majored in Economics in college. He understood better than most. His record in turning the economy around shows that.
And yet he became a 3rd rate hollywood drone.
What economy, it was a all debt financed, like trump. And still unpaid for.
So a jr. college level education got him the presidency, you’re saying? And after 30 years in Hollywood, he mastered the principles of economics.
Ever stop to think he had advisors to do the thinking for him?
Obama, mentored by communists and a pornograpeher. That poem Obama write about the stain in his underwear and the gorilla in the grotto were Pulitzer prize worthy. Such a deep thinker.
When Reagan took office, he noted Social Security was running out of money. So he established a blue ribbon committee, headed by Alan Greenspan, to investigate and come up with solutions.
Then Reagan worked across the aisle to get Tip O’Neill and Dan Rostenkowski to adopt the recommendations. Finally, he signed them into law. The reforms have kept Social Security solvent for more than 40 years