Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum |
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The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 2017
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| General information | |
| Location | 2313 Red River St, Austin, Texas, United States |
| Coordinates | 30°17′09″N 97°43′45″W / 30.2857°N 97.7292°W |
| Named for | Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Inaugurated | Dedicated on May 22, 1971 |
| Management | National Archives and University of Texas at Austin |
| Technical details | |
| Size | 14 acres (5.7 ha) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill |
The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, often called the LBJ Presidential Library, is a special place that holds the history of Lyndon B. Johnson. He was the 36th president of the United States from 1963 to 1969. It's like a big memory box for his time as president!
This library and museum is located at the University of Texas at Austin. It's one of 13 presidential libraries managed by the National Archives and Records Administration. The LBJ Library keeps about 45 million pages of historical papers. These include documents from President Johnson and people he worked closely with.
Contents
A Look Back: How the LBJ Library Started
Talks about building a library for President Johnson began after he won the election in 1964. In February 1965, a leader at the University of Texas at Austin suggested building the library on the university campus. They also offered money for the building. An agreement was officially made on September 6, 1966.
Most past presidential libraries were paid for by private donations. But the University of Texas, which is publicly funded, paid $15 million of the $18 million needed. They also gave the land for the library. This land used to be a neighborhood. The university got it using a process called eminent domain, which means the government can buy private land for public use.
Designing the Library
First Lady Lady Bird Johnson visited other presidential libraries and university campuses. She wanted to get ideas for the design of their library. Lady Bird showed President Johnson three possible architects. They chose Gordon Bunshaft from a company called Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The design was finished in the summer of 1966. Construction started in 1967.
The Library was officially opened on May 22, 1971. President Johnson and then-President Richard Nixon were both there for the special day.
Special Visits and Events
In 1991, Queen Elizabeth II visited the museum. She met with President Johnson's family. President Johnson was the only U.S. president she never met. She had a chance to meet him in 1965 when Winston Churchill was buried. But President Johnson was sick with the flu and bronchitis. His doctors told him not to go to the funeral. He really wanted to attend. The Queen even planned a private meeting for him at Buckingham Palace. But his doctors still said no.
After Lady Bird Johnson passed away in July 2007, her body was placed in the Library and Museum. This was just like her husband's body had been after he passed away 34 years earlier in January 1973.
In 2012, the LBJ Library got a big makeover. Most of the exhibits were closed during this time. On December 22, the Library opened again to the public. In 2013, the Library started charging an entrance fee. This was the first time since it opened in 1971. Mark Atwood Lawrence is the current director of the LBJ Library.
What You'll Find at the LBJ Library
The building was designed by architects Gordon Bunshaft and R. Max Brooks. It's a simple, tall building with 10 stories. It's covered in a creamy Italian stone called travertine. The Library is next to the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. The whole area covers 14 acres (about 57,000 square meters). Even though it's on the university grounds, the Library is run by the U.S. government. It is separate from the University.
Inside the Library
The top floor of the Library has a replica of the Oval Office. This is the president's main office in the White House. It's about 7/8ths the size of the real one. It looks just like it did when Johnson was president. This includes his famous desk. Another exhibit has an animatronic figure of LBJ. This is a robot that looks and moves like him.
From the library's terrace, you can see the Texas State Capitol. This view is so important that it's protected by state and local law. This means no tall buildings can block it.
Visiting the Library
The LBJ Library is open to the public all year. It shows permanent historical and cultural exhibits. It also has temporary exhibits. About 125,000 people visit each year. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. The Library is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Among the art pieces on display is a large mural. It shows scenes from Johnson's life. It was made by an artist named Naomi Savage.
LBJ Liberty & Justice for All Award
The library gives out the "LBJ Liberty & Justice for All Award." This award honors public servants. It is given to leaders who show kindness and work well with people from different political groups.
Here are some of the people who have received this award:
- 2010: John Lewis
- 2013: George H. W. Bush
- 2014: John Dingell and Carl Levin
- 2015: Jim Clyburn and Eric Holder
- 2016: Jimmy Carter
- 2017: David Rubenstein
- 2018: John McCain
- 2019: Nancy Pelosi
- 2020: Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- 2023: Willie Nelson
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca y Museo Presidencial de Lyndon B. Johnson para niños
- D. B. Hardeman Prize
- Presidential memorials in the United States
