Reagan Library

On Monday we drove out to the Reagan library in Simi Valley.  I had heard great things about it and we do like visiting presidential libraries.  This would be my fifth of the thirteen.  The library is on a hill and has spectacular views of the valley.  You can tell that Reagan had some very wealthy friends who donated money for this property and the building.

Here is the view from the building where Air Force One is displayed.

And here is the view from the courtyard where he is buried.

The technology used in this facility was great.  We purchased the audio guide to go along with our admission.  What they give you is a modified IPod that has a non-flash camera built into it.  You go along to the various exhibits and press the button on the screen for the exhibit and listen to the narrative (usually it is Reagan himself).  Then if you want to take any pictures along the way you use the device and at the end they email them to you.  The two pictures above were taken by Fran on the device.  This is one the coolest features I have seen in visiting many museums over the years.  It does cost and extra $7 but it was worth it to enhance the tour.

What I did find interesting at this library was the lack of any real “meat” to the exhibits.  It seems to be more of a glossy biography of Reagan.  As an example, at the Nixon library they have a detailed exhibit on Watergate even showing you the machine where the gap in the tape was made.  At the Reagan library I cannot recall an exhibit or any mention of the Iran-Contra mess. 

A really amazing exhibit is a scaled replica of the White House with one side cut away so you can see inside.  It is fully furnished and accurate.

The picture cannot capture how large this display is.  It has to be 30 feet long or more.