Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Herbert Hoover Presidential Library |
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| General information | |
| Location | West Branch, Iowa, United States |
| Coordinates | 41°40′08″N 91°20′53″W / 41.669°N 91.348°W |
| Inaugurated | Dedicated on August 10, 1962 Rededicated on August 8, 1992 |
| Management | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Technical details | |
| Size | 47,169 square feet (4,382.1 m2) |
The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum is a special place. It holds important papers and items from Herbert Hoover, who was the 31st president of the United States from 1929 to 1933. It is also where he is buried. This library is in West Branch, Iowa, and is part of the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. It is one of thirteen presidential libraries managed by the National Archives and Records Administration.
Contents
Building the Hoover Library
How the Library Started
In 1954, some friends of Herbert Hoover created a group. They wanted to save his birthplace and improve the area. One idea was to build a small museum. With Hoover's permission, construction began in the late 1950s. The first building was a simple limestone structure. It was designed by Eggers and Higgins, architects from New York. It was just over 4,000 square feet. While it was being built, Hoover decided to make it his official Presidential Library.
Opening Day and Special Guests
The Library and Museum officially opened on August 10, 1962. This day was also Hoover's 88th birthday. Both Herbert Hoover and former President Harry S. Truman attended the dedication. Hoover gave a speech about how important these libraries are. He said they help people research American history. He also mentioned that they keep records of important events.
When the members of the Congress created these presidential libraries they did a great public service. They made available for research the records of vital periods in American history – and they planted these records in the countryside instead of allowing their concentration on the seaboard.
Already the three libraries of President Roosevelt, President Truman, and President Eisenhower, by their unique documentation, serve this purpose, and today we dedicate a fourth – my own.
Within them are thrilling records of supreme action by the American people, their devotion and sacrifice to their ideals. Santayana rightly said: "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to relive it." These institutions are the repositories of such experience – hot off the griddle.
In these records there are, no doubt, unfavorable remarks made by our political opponents, as well as expressions of appreciation and affection by our friends.
We may hope that future students will rely upon our friends. In any event, when they become sleepy they may be awakened by the lightning flashes of American political humor.
Expanding the Library
The original Library and Museum building grew over time. Major additions were completed in 1964, 1971, 1974, and 1992. The architects for the first three expansions were Wetherell, Harrison & Wagner Associates.
On August 8, 1992, former President Ronald Reagan helped rededicate the Library. This was after a big renovation project. The library expanded to 47,169 square feet (4,382.1 m2). This $6.5 million expansion was a team effort. The government provided $5 million, and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association raised $1.5 million for new exhibits. HNTB Corp. designed the 1992 expansion.
What You Can Find at the Library
Important Collections and Research
The Library holds almost 300 different collections. It is a key place to study many topics. These include conservative ideas, farming economics, and how people helped during famines. You can also learn about early airplanes, political news, and how the government works. The library also has papers from other important people. These include Lewis Strauss, Gerald P. Nye, and Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote the "Little House on the Prairie" books.
The Historic Site
The Library and Museum is located inside the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. This site includes:
- Hoover's birthplace home.
- A rebuilt version of his father's blacksmith shop.
- A one-room schoolhouse.
- A Quaker meeting house.
- The graves of Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover, located on a hill overlooking the site.
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca y Museo Presidencial de Herbert Hoover para niños
