Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

Jill's Journal: Regardless of your politics, if you walk out of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum near Simi Valley, California, without tremendous respect and appreciation for our 40th president, I’m not sure you’re an American. Patriotism is in full force at Reagan’s presidential museum and that’s the way it should be. We absolutely should be proud of our president and our country.

Opened by Reagan himself in 1991, the museum sits on a hilltop with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and ocean. This museum is just tremendous, one of the most well-done among the hundred or so we’ve visited so far on this trip. And the girls! They learned so much about our country, the presidency, and Reagan himself here.

The 100,000-square feet of museum traces Reagan’s personal and public life from childhood in Illinois to movie stardom to politics. Everything from his diaries to his love letters are displayed (he wrote over 700 love letters to Nancy, including this cute one) and they really shine an intimate light on the man behind the presidency. One of the things that struck me most was how completely in love the president and first lady were with each other. Being at the museum, you get a sense of their 50+-year romance. It is just beautiful and a wonderful example for all of us to follow.

It seems so recently that Reagan was in office, but it’s been 23 years since he completed his second term. The artifacts preserved here make time stand still. Here’s the Bible Reagan used for both his first and second inaugurations. The Bible was his mother’s and one can see her handwritten notes in the margins.

Madelyn practiced her own inauguration speech, complete with teleprompter.

I thought this was fascinating...I used to keep a file of quotes that inspired me and Reagan did the same! Of course, he put his to far better use than I did. :) He kept the quotes he wanted to remember on index cards and placed them in this album for easy reference.

Just 70 days into his presidency, Reagan was shot in an assassination attempt. This is the suit cut off him in the emergency room. It’s a poor picture, but you can see the bullet hole and there are traces of blood. Normally, the U.S. president wears a bullet-proof vest outdoors, but on this particular day, it wasn’t planned for him to step outside. At the top of the picture is his x-ray. The bullet was dangerously close to his heart. He lost half of his blood.

This is the red sweater Reagan wore home after 12 days in the hospital. The event was televised around the world.

The museum includes a full-sized, exact replica of the Oval Office as it appeared while Reagan was in office. Each president gets to decorate it to his taste, right down to the colors, the rug, and the paintings hung on the wall. Reagan chose a western “ranch" theme.

Reagan’s love of Jelly Belly jelly beans is well documented.

Reagan kept extensive diaries of his eight years in the White House.

This is the guest book from the president’s private residence. The day is turned to the visit from Prince Charles and Lady Diana, the same day Diana famously danced with John Travolta in the ballroom.

Air Force One, the “Flying White House.” This exact aircraft served Reagan and six other presidents through the second President Bush.

Pictures aren’t allowed on Air Force One, but visitors are welcome to walk through. It’s a fascinating glimpse of the presidency behind the scenes.

Members of the military, proud to be visiting the museum.

These are the flags of the 26 countries Reagan visited during his time in office. He also covered 46 of the 50 states. I believe it was said he was the most traveled of the presidents, logging over 660,000 miles during his presidency.

Remember Reagan’s famous Brandenburg Gate speech at the Berlin Wall?
“Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”
It helped change the world and was instrumental in ending the Cold War.
These are Reagan’s speech cards from that monumental day. The marks on the cards are his.

A piece of the Berlin Wall. Yes, THE Berlin Wall. I have goosebumps just thinking about it.

“…the sunset of my life.” This is the sad letter Reagan wrote to the American people after he learned he had Alzheimer’s disease in 1994. This one hits too close to home for me. I dare you to keep a dry eye while reading it. What incredible bravery he and Nancy showed to share such a private battle with the world. They did it to draw awareness to this terrible, terrible disease. He was a public servant to the end.

The flag that covered Reagan’s casket during his state funeral. It was presented to Nancy.

This is a condolence book signed by former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In quoting Scripture, she says, “To Ronnie, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’”

President Ronald Wilson Reagan’s final resting place.