Ronald Reagan Presidential Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ronald Reagan Presidential Library |
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| General information | |
| Location | Simi Valley, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 34°15′34″N 118°49′10″W / 34.2595°N 118.8194°W |
| Named for | Ronald Reagan |
| Construction started | November 21, 1988 |
| Completed | November 4, 1991 |
| Cost | $60 million USD |
| Management | National Archives and Records Administration Reagan Library Foundation |
| Technical details | |
| Size | 243,000 square feet (22,600 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Hugh Stubbins |
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is a special place that keeps important papers and items from Ronald Reagan's time as the 40th president of the United States. He was president from 1981 to 1989. It's also where President Reagan and his wife, Nancy Reagan, are buried.
This library is located in Simi Valley, California. It's managed by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which helps preserve history. The library opened in 1991. It holds millions of documents, photos, films, and tapes from Reagan's presidency. You can also see many items from his life and a permanent exhibit about him.
Contents
Choosing the Location
The idea for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library started early in his presidency. In 1981, a group called the Hoover Institution suggested building it at Stanford University in Northern California. President Reagan had already stored some of his papers there from his time as governor.
However, there were some concerns about having a political "think tank" (a group that studies and suggests policies) on a university campus. People worried it might make the university seem biased. After much discussion, Stanford decided not to host the library in 1987.
Later that same year, the beautiful hilltop location in Simi Valley, California, was chosen instead. This new spot offered plenty of space and great views.
Building the Library
The library is about 40 miles (64 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Its design looks like a traditional Spanish Mission building. The architect, Hugh Stubbins, said President Reagan liked the design because it reminded him of his own ranch.
Construction began in 1988. The library officially opened on November 4, 1991. This was a very special day because five American presidents gathered there. They were Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. Six First Ladies also attended the event.
What the Library Holds
The Reagan Library is a huge archive of President Reagan's time in office. It stores about 50 million pages of presidential documents. There are also over 1.6 million photographs. You can find half a million feet of film and thousands of audio and video tapes. The library also keeps his personal papers from his eight years as California's governor.
The library was built using only private donations. It cost $60 million to build. For many years, it was the largest presidential library. It became even bigger when the Air Force One Pavilion opened.
Saving the Library from Fire
In 2019, a large wildfire called the Easy Fire came very close to the library. The library had to be evacuated. Luckily, earlier that year, goats had cleared away dry brush around the buildings. This created a "defensible space" that helped protect the library from burning down. Some olive trees and banners were damaged, but the main buildings were saved.
Exhibits and Outdoor Areas
The museum has both temporary and permanent exhibits. The permanent exhibit tells the story of Reagan's life. It starts with his childhood in Dixon, Illinois. It covers his career as a film actor and his military service. You can learn about his marriage to Nancy Davis Reagan. It also shows his political journey, including his time as governor.
There's a full-size copy of the Oval Office inside the museum. This is the president's main office in the White House. You can see many items that Reagan kept on his desk. The exhibits also show what life was like at his ranch and in the White House.
Outside, the library grounds offer amazing views. There's a re-creation of part of the White House Lawn. You can also see a real piece of the Berlin Wall. An F-14 Tomcat jet fighter is on display too. In 2016, a large statue of Reagan riding his favorite horse was added.
Air Force One Pavilion
One of the most exciting parts of the library is the Air Force One Pavilion. It's a huge hangar that houses SAM 27000. This was the actual Air Force One plane used by President Reagan. Six other presidents also used this plane from 1973 to 2001.
The plane was taken apart and brought to the library in pieces. Then it was put back together and restored. It now sits on pedestals 25 feet (7.6 m) above the ground. The pavilion opened in 2005.
Inside the pavilion, you can also see other presidential vehicles. These include a Sikorsky VH-3 Sea King helicopter, known as Marine One. There's also Reagan's 1984 presidential limousine. You can even find a pub from Ireland that Ronald and Nancy Reagan visited!
The pavilion also has the Reagan Library Discovery Center. This is an interactive exhibit for students. They can take part in role-playing games based on events from Reagan's presidency.
Presidential Debates
The Reagan Library has been a popular place for important political events. It has hosted several Republican presidential debates. These debates allow candidates to discuss their ideas. The first debate for the 2008 Republican primary was held here. The library also hosted debates in 2011, 2015, and 2023.
Important Meetings
On April 5, 2023, a significant meeting took place at the library. The president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, met with the U.S. House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy. This was the first time a Taiwanese president had met with a U.S. House Speaker on American soil.
Funeral of Ronald Reagan
When President Reagan passed away on June 5, 2004, his casket was brought to the library. Many people lined the streets to pay their respects. His casket lay in the library lobby for several days. About 105,000 people came to see it.
After a national funeral service, Reagan's casket returned to the library. He was laid to rest in an underground vault on June 12, 2004. His wife, Nancy Reagan, passed away on March 6, 2016. She was buried next to him at the library on March 11, 2016.
Images for kids
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The official seal of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca y Museo Presidencial de Ronald Reagan para niños
- Presidential Records Act
- Presidential memorials in the United States
