Reagen Library

Reviews 3

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Chelsea Madren

Beautiful painted murals of former First Lady Nancy Reagan adorn the entrance. This was another reason why I wanted to come to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. I wanted to pay my respects to this lovely lady who passed away earlier this year. I remember when I was in grade school, Ronald Reagan was president and presented a few of us with the Presidential Academic Fitness Award. I still have the embossed certificate and lapel pin to this day. The museum is set up in chronological order from when Ronald Reagan was born, his acting career, his years as governor, assassination attempt, a recreation of The Oval Office as it was when President Reagan was in office, and at the half way mark is the Air Force One Pavilion. In the Air Force One Pavilion, the Air Force One 27000 was used by seven presidents: Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, G.H.W. Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush. The plane was decommissioned on September 8, 2001. It was disassembled over a nine-week period by The Boeing Company into sections: fuselage, tail and stabilizers, engines, main landing gear, and wings. After construction of the pavilion and reassembling of 27000, Air Force One Pavilion opened to the public on October 24, 2005. In the pavilion, you can see the plane in its grandeur like it just came off the showroom floor. The front of the pavilion is floor to ceiling glass (3 stories high) with sweeping views of the Conejo Valley. On the plane, you will see how President Reagan had it with the creature comforts of home. One thing that President Reagan was known for was his love Jelly Belly Jelly Beans. There were glass canisters of them on almost every table. But what you probably dont know is that he always had a cake on board to celebrate birthdays and special occasions of his crew and staff. As you take the elevator down a level, you can view the Air Force One underbelly and get an actual concept of how big this plane really is. As you make your way out of the Air Force One Pavilion, the rest of President Reagans life continues from politics in America, summits, and Camp David during his presidency. Post-presidential life continues through his passing on June 5, 2004. The emotions are very strong in the Mourning Ronald Reagan room. There is a picture of Nancy with her son, Ron, and her daughter, Patti, at President Reagans funeral that capture the emotional pain and I couldnt help but cry. The tour ends at the Museum Store where you can select the perfect memento to remember your experience. They even have a variety of Jelly Belly Jelly Beans for purchase as well. I took a stroll outside to the Ruwe Terrace and see beautiful views of Conejo Valley and Simi Valley. There is a piece of the Berlin Wall on display. The Memorial Site is where President Ronald Wilson Reagan and former First Lady Nancy David Reagan lay to rest. They had a magical love story of fairy tales. It was just amazing to see their love throughout the museum. I am so honored to have been here to give them a moment of thanks for all of the great memories and great things that they did for the citizens of the United States of America.

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Rodney S

I thoroughly enjoyed my excursion to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Ive been meaning to visit here ever since he passed away almost a decade ago. I came as part of a tour bus. Thats the best way to go as far as Im concerned. I dont have to worry about traffic & parking. The cost of the trip included admission & a buffet lunch. Win-Win! The premises were flawless, with beautiful landscaping all around. The bus dropped us off near the entrance, and there was a courtyard with a fountain in the middle. We started by checking out a piece of the Berlin Wall. On the West German side, there was graffiti all over, showing the freedom of speech they had. The East German side, there was some paint identifying for transport and barriers at the bottom. Fun fact, Carl Karcher donated it to the library. Yes, the late Carls Jr. guy. Next, we headed to Reagans grave where he is interred. We had the chance to have a moment of silence & pay our respects. I was a little perturbed that there wasnt an eternal flame on display, but it was still beautiful nonetheless. We then headed to the museum proper & visited the early, middle and later years of the former president. One of the most memorable moments was when we saw on display the suit Reagan was wearing when he was shot. Seeing the 2 bullet holes up close really had an emotional impact, at least to me it did. We also saw a replica of the Oval Office just as the "Gipper" had it during his administration. The highlight for most people is probably going inside Air Force One. Its a 707, and its kinda cramped considering the VIPs it held when it was operational. The current administration flies in a 747/757, which is 3 times the size. It was nice to see the requisite jars of jellybeans & the chocolate cake which Reagan would have on hand for birthdays/anniversaries/no reason at all other than to have chocolate cake. We had a buffet lunch underneath the left wing of Air Force One consisting of salad, roasted vegetables, chicken breast in balsalmic glaze, mashed potatoes, chocolate chip cookies, breads & drinks. There is also a "pub" nearby, but I dont think they serve alcohol. Just baked goods, tea & coffee. The food was good. There is also a cafe next to the gift shop, offering burgers/dogs/etc. The gift shop was nice to check out. We ended up buying a fridge magnet of the presidential magnet. No stuffed Ronnie doll? Come on! All in all, I really enjoyed the time I spent here. Not having to worry about traffic & parking was just icing on the cake. I would definitely go again & I suggest you pay a visit too whenever you get the chance. Excelsior!

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Thomas Chee

Special thanks to the outstanding tour guide. He was wonderful for taking the time to teach me so much, especially about Reagans Irish roots and how the pub came to find itself in Simi Valley. Sunday, I drove into Yorba Linda to visit the Richard Nixon Library. Monday, I woke up early in Santa Barbara to get to the Ronald Reagan Library an hour early. The timing was right, because lines began to form, shuttle buses parked with hundreds of international visitors and hundreds of elementary school students arrived for a trip. The learning experience was incredible. Honestly I learned more than I thought I would by reading all the various exhibits and unlike other museums, I was able to get a tour of the inside of Air Force One, the same airplane that served seven Presidents in the United States as well as helicopter. There was a jet outside used over Libya. I thought I would spend one or two hours inside, but stayed the entire day, and I am sure that I will return. The Ronald Reagan library taught me a lot. I returned to Las Vegas and gathered around the government officials that knew Reagan, Kissinger, people involved with foreign affairs overseas now retired in Nevada. I really want to read more, ask questions, and return by summer. I am glad I didnt take my son. I have to admit, he would have been bored of all the exhibits. I was lucky that I am a fast reader with the ability to take my time, stop and eat lunch, and continue to see more exhibits. There is a restaurant, pub, and a super market down the street with a Tommys Chili Burgers. The dishes of food served were excellent with people enjoying outside ocean breezes on the patio. Fog rolled in over the mountains by afternoon. The tour guide told us that in the summer there will be a Titanic exhibit with treasure from the sunken ship Titanic. I hope to return before summer with a group of friends from Las Vegas.

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