I normally don’t like politics (specifically talking politics), but one of my goals for 2013 is to visit both local presidential libraries (Reagans + Nixons) and this past weekend my sister and I went to the Nixon Presidential Library. This is my first Presidential Library (which is really a museum and not a library).

My sister and I made the early Saturday morning trek out to Yorba Linda. The above photo is the entryway to the museum. It’s only a $12 admittance fee (which is cheaper than most museums). We happened to walk into the musuem the 30 minute introductory video was starting up so we sat in for it. As someone who is pretty dumb when it comes to history, I found it to be very useful. It glosses over a lot, but then the exhibits go into detail about much of the topics. It’s also important to note that this video (and museum) was made with money collected by Nixon and his family, so it’s a bit one-sided. The Watergate wing wasn’t even created until 2007(?) after the museum was taken over by the National Archives and Records Administration.

Above is a model of Nixon’s childhood home, which is also on the museum property.

After taking photos with space suits at the Connecticut Science Center, it’s only fitting that I take one at the Nixon Museum to add to the collection.

So much information. It was fun to explore but did take a lot of reading to get through the museum. Because there was so much reading, the museum is pretty silent even with a lot of people there, because everyone is attentively reading.

I love this section of the museum with life sized sculptures of the famous leaders whom Nixon worked with.

They even have a giant chunk of the Berlin Wall!

Above is the original manuscript  for God Bless America.

This is a replication of Nixon’s favorite room in the White House.

I also really enjoyed the collection of memorable dresses.

Nixon’s Limo!

The newly added Watergate wing! This was a lot of reading and VERY informative.

Doesn’t this look like the White House hallways? (Or how I imagine they look)

This is the exterior courtyard of the property. While we were there they were setting up for an outdoor wedding.

Richard and Patricia Nixon are buried on the property.

And further along the path is the actual childhood home that Richard Nixon grew up in. They bought the property up around it to build this museum. You can even tour this house!

Last along the path is the presidential helicopter! We couldn’t take photos inside, but they do let you walk through it.

 

When we looped around to exit the museum we had to take photos of this sculpture.

Next up (tomorrow) is our afternoon visit to Palos Verdes!