One of our objectives of this trip is to visit the presidential libraries and museums along our way. Today, we ticked off another by making our way to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. It sits on the of the original eight acres his father purchased and where the family home, Nixon’s birthplace, sits today.
In sunny and warm Southern California, the sight of a water
fountain at the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
in Yorba Linda has aa welcoming and cooling effect.
The Presidential Seal on the floor of the entrance is enough
to grab one’s attention even without the large portrait.
Seeing them together immediately engages the mind
and with it, memories of an era.
Martha noted that the displays seemed more sedate in comparison to what we've observed at others. Even so, it was well done and covers the life of Nixon well, even the Watergate fiasco. There are probably a couple of reason for this. One may be the fact that he was raised in a Quaker environment. In fact, there is a church not far from the museum and birthplace. Humility and simplicity were hallmarks of the religion as were others. The second reason probably has more to do with his financial situation. Until 2007, all presidential libraries were funded privately via the foundations created by or for the person. Since Nixon’s popularity had diminished, there was probably little to draw on.
The National Archives did not assume administration of this facility until Congress passed an act in 2007. The act helped provide ongoing support for the institution. The preservation of their documents, tapes, digital media, and other artifacts is important so that subsequent generations can study and learn from them. The library is staffed and operated by federal employees working under a director appointed by the Archivist of the United States.
One of the first displays upon entering the museum is this
reminder of the timeframe in which Nixon was not in office
yet had to deal with issues that developed during that time of tumult.
“In these difficult years, American has suffered
from a fever of words… We cannot learn from one another
until we stop shouting at one another.” Richard M. Nixon
The Nixon Museum and Library are well done with beautiful fountains, an extensive and manicured rose garden, and preservation of the home where Nixon was born. As mentioned, it sits on the exact site it did when Nixon was born. In fact, when the house needed the foundation renovated, the option was presented to turn the front door toward the other buildings. Nixon stated that it should remain pointed the direction in which his father placed it.
Winston Churchill, served two terms as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Charles de Gaule, President of France from 1958 to 1969
Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt from 1970 to 1981
Golda Meir, Prime Minister of Israel 1969 to 1974
Nixon was a voracious reader. He had a favorite place when
in the White House; the Lincoln Bedroom.
U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev, meeting in Moscow in 1972, signed the Strategic Arms
Limitation Talks (SALT) agreements
Also in 1972, the Nixons flew to China to establish relations
between our countries. It was a very big deal. This photo
shows Nixon extending his hand to Premier
Premier Chou En-Lai.
The Nixon Foundation hosted the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of
Operation Homecoming. Signatures of may attending were on this poster.
The event was held May 23-25 of this year. Nearly 200 POWs and their families
gathered at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
for a three-day reunion. They even hosted a welcome home parade
with attendees riding in vintage automobiles.
The museum tells the story of the good and bad decisions made by Nixon as well as his ultimate redemption. From perusal of the displays, it is apparent that Nixon was not afraid of facts being presented to that visitors could judge for themselves. It is also apparent that different viewpoints were also to be tolerated as archivists assembled the displays of information. Since the 37th president’s death in 1994, Nixon has remained a prominent yet polarizing figure. Continuing interest in his career—successes and setbacks, and the Watergate affair, including his resignation and pardon—are all presented with little bias.
How about a photo opportunity with Richard and Patricia Nixon
leading the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena?
Pat Nixon had the Oval Office furnished in golds and blues to
signify California. The office, in comparison to other presidents,
is decorated with few mementos, paintings, etc. Other presidents
tended to overload the space with all kinds of items. Nixon, however,
preferred simplicity.
According to the information posted, this was the helicopter on
which the Nixons flew when leaving the White House
after his resignation. A friend of Byron’s in Louisville
proudly served on the crew at the White House during
some of the Nixon administration. The one’s for you, Russ.
This gentleman, who was from China and had a basic understanding
of English, took the photo (above). Byron made sure he got
a photo with the gentleman who was very respectful
that Nixon saying: “He was a friend of China."
The boyhood home sits near the rear of the property. A simple
house, constructed using a kit, was completed by his father.
Simplicity is duplicated with the markers of Patricia and Richard Nixon
in a well-manicured plot with flowers and roses surrounding the area.
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