The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is one of Southern California's premiere attractions and is worth a visit regardless of personal political affiliations. We had been to the Library in past years but our recent visit showed additions and vast improvements that have been made.
Location alone is always a special treat as it has been built on top of a mountain with commanding views in every direction including the Pacific Ocean. On this visit we made it a full day's outing with time out for lunch at Reagan's Country Cafe which also includes a Ronald Reagan Pub.
We had a special reason for our latest visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. It was to see the Vatican Splendors Exhibition currently on show there.
This was a special exhibition of Vatican history, historical artifacts dating back to Roman times, and the closer relationship developed between the United States and the Vatican during Reagan's presidency.
Also while we had heard and read much about the addition of Air Force One the Pavilion actually seeing it was most impressive. It includes the Marine One helicopter and vehicles of a Presidential motorcade enclosed in a giant glass enclosure that offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. We boarded both Air Force One and the Helicopter and had our photo taken at each. The plane on display served Reagan and six other presidents <>p>Twenty four galleries tell the story of Ronald Reagan's life before the Presidency and much of the personal relationship of he and his wife, Nancy. With her death earlier this year she now is buried next to her husband at the Library. We always enjoy looking at the perfect replica of the Oval Office at the White House and the place of business for so many presidents.
The landscaping and gardens that surround the Library are worth the time for a stroll and the views they offer. The landscaping includes a replica of the White House Rose Garden. Also to be seen a part of the Berlin Wall brought to the U.S.
The Library is well staffed and the docents we met were most courteous and helpful and with so much to see and do we needed them for advice and guidance.
The Reagan Library follows the tradition of established Presidential libraries first started by Franklin D. Roosevelt and has continued with every president since then. California has a second Presidential Library for Richard Nixon located in Yorba Linda In all there are now twelve Presidential libraries in various states.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is located at 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, Ca. Phone 1 805 577-4000. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. web www.reaganlibrary.gov. There is an admission fee for visits to the galleries. The Reagan Country Cafe is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
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