A Glimpse Into the Life of President

I highly recommend visiting any presidential museum that is near your home or in a city that you may travel to as part of a vacation or on business. To find a museum closest to your home, click here.

My first visit to a presidential library was to the Nixon Library right after it opened. I have learned over the years that the vast majority of Americans have no idea what a presidential library is (a museum) and very few have ever visited one. I have made it a point to visit every presidential library if I am in the area. Each one is unique and is comparable to the Smithsonian Institution as to quality. The Carter museum is one of the finest I have seen. Nixon’s is probably the best, comparable in every way to Reagan’s. An excellent site is the Nixon Foundation.

In my opinion, President Nixon accomplished much. His influence in the world, for peace, is undeniable. He was the first president to visit China and the Soviet Union. His tough private negotiations, combined with diplomatic public rhetoric altered the course of history for good. The blotch in his reputation at the end is testimony to us all that much good in one’s reputation can be eclipsed by one decision of poor judgment.

Yesterday, I took the day off work to take my 15-year old son Blake to the Nixon Library. He has been to the Reagan Library and but not yet to the Nixon (at 15, I actually did not think he would choose the library over surfing!). Following are about 30 photographs with brief stories to describe some of them (these do not even scratch the surface of what you will see in a presidential museum):

.

This home was built by Richard’s father in 1912 at this exact location. It has never been moved except to raise the foundation.

Below the fold are another 28 photographs taken yesterday at the Nixon Library and Museum.

.

This pool and gardens area was designed by the same architect that designed much of the Getty Museum on Los Angeles. The roses in the foreground include the Pat Nixon rose as well as other first lady roses. President Nixon gave a speech in this area as his last public appearance. He also did some putting on the green with Bob Hope.

.

.

.

.

.

The above piece of cloth was presented by a POW to President Nixon in his honor for his efforts to end the war and to bring home the prisoners. It was made by the service member from a number of different materials while in captivity over many months.

Senator Kennedy and Senator Nixon became good friends while serving in the Senate. A photograph hanging in an exhibit, showing the Senate in session, shows three future presidents in attendance: Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. One of the most famous presidential elections was the first televised debate ever between Kennedy and Nixon — arguably the most famous presidential debate of all time. Those who heard the debate on the radio believed Nixon won hands down. Those who saw the debate on television thought that Kennedy won. Nixon had been campaigning hard for weeks, going from state to state, had not shaved that day and looked tired and was sweating.

This is the same Marine One that carried Nixon away from the White House for the last time. One of the famous images of Nixon is standing in the door of the helicopter giving the peace sign with both hands.

The pilot commanded most Marine One flights for President Nixon lives in Huntington Beach, CA. He had visited the library before and had decided to track down the location of the same helicopter he piloted when Nixon was president. He was able to track it down in Connecticut and was therefore instrumental in bringing it to the Nixon Library.
.

Twice when Nixon was VP, Eisenhower experienced incapacitation as president. Once with a heart attack and once with a stroke. The constitution at the time did not provide any protocol for such an event. VP Nixon covered for the president during both times.

Historians have concluded that Nixon did not have prior knowledge of the Watergate plumbers group or break-in. However, after he learned of the crime, he attempted to conceal it, leading to his resignation.

This is one of my favorite sections of the museum. Each of the statues is a life size image of world leaders that Nixon had worked with, striving together for peace. I was surprised how short most of them were. Charles DeGaulle however was very tall.

.

.

.

I found this story very interesting. Elvis was in D.C. for some event and got the idea he would try to meet President Nixon while there. Without calling, he wrote a note on the hotel stationery and walked to the gates of the White House and asked if he might meet President Nixon. He was granted entry and the shocker was that he brought a gift for Nixon that the Secret Service missed. He brought a handgun to present to President Nixon. Of course, that would never happen in today’s world.

.

This part of the Berlin Wall was a gift to the Nixon Library by Carl Karcher of Carl’s Jr. fame.

Very interesting part of this exhibit is a brief speech written by President Nixon that he would have given had the astronauts been killed in this mission to the moon. Nixon personally wrote many of his speeches.

The late 1960s was a time of tumult in the nation. This sign influenced Nixon in a big way causing him to shape his message of unity, considered instrumental at the time.

.

.

The presidential limousine was installed with a microphone on each side of the car. This allowed the occupants to hear what was being said or shouted outside the vehicle that was heavily armored. Incidentally, VP Nixon came close to being killed during a visit to Venezuela. He showed courage and restraint by ordering his security detail to not open fire on the crowds that had smashed in the windows and fired weapons at the motorcade.

.

.

.

.
Special THANKS to Ms. Cindy Scott who gave a wonderful tour of the museum! Her husband, Wayne R. Scott, served our nation in the Air Force for nearly 30 years and retired at the rank of Colonel. Thank you Ms. Scott for your husband’s and your service to our nation! We are most grateful.
.