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Reagan statue at the entrance to the library |
While in California visiting a friend recently, we took the opportunity to take in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. Having never been to a presidential library before, I was very pleasantly surprised to find it to be an interesting exhibit of artifacts, historical documents and interactive displays. There was a full-sized replica of the Oval Office and Ronald Reagan's actual Air Force One plane along with a replica of the White House's Rose Garden.
I always thought Reagan was a pretty good president, but I came away more impressed with him and some of the things he said way back in the early 1980's ring truer than ever today. To be honest, initially I wasn't expecting much and was not very enthused about going to a presidential library. I only went to accompany my friend who wanted to see it, but I definitely came away wanting to visit more of them. Before we left the gift shop, I purchased a Presidential Library Passport. Looking like a passport and about the same size as one, it contains information and the location of each presidential library in America and has a place to get the page stamped as you visit. There happens to be 3 of them within easy driving distance of my home and I fully intend for there to be some stamping going on soon!
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The library is on the top of a high hill which offers a great view of the surrounding area |
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Signs of Reagan's favorite sayings were posted throughout the library |
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Full-sized recreation of the Oval Office |
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Reagan's presidential limo |
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Ronald Reagan quote, March 6, 1981 |
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Reagan's Air Force One. We took a tour of it - pretty impressive! |
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Ronald Reagan quote |
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Piece of the Berlin Wall |