Presidents' libraries archive and attract

August 29, 2004|Globe Correspondent

The death of former President Ronald Reagan in June brought the words "Reagan Presidential Library," and images of the Simi Valley, Calif., institution into millions of homes. We are all more familiar now with the library and its associated museum, which offer visitors the chance to visit a replica of the Oval Office and see a piece of the dismantled Berlin Wall.

The National Archives and Records Administration administers a nationwide network of 10 libraries that hold the records and papers of each president since Herbert Hoover. For those who aren't necessarily presidential researchers (in other words, the general public), each library also contains a museum with programs, exhibits, and activities. (The Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda, Calif., operates outside the National Archives system, although Nixon's presidential materials are available to scholars at the National Archives in College Park, Md).

Though we are now immersed in the immediacy of the 2004 election, one day its victor, too, will be the object of historical study, and artifacts from his life and career will be on display. In fact, barely two weeks after Nov. 2, the city of Little Rock, Ark., will be celebrating the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center.

For anyone planning visits to these cities or sites now or after Election Day, here is what you will find at some presidential tourist spots nationwide over the next weeks and months.

ARKANSAS William J. Clinton PresidentialCenter and Park 1200 East President Clinton Ave.

River Market, Little Rock

501-370-5050

clintonpresidentialcenter.com

www.arkansasglobecoming.com/events_schedule.asp (for information on local events)

Opening Nov. 18, and then Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5.

Adults $7; seniors, college students, retired military $5; children $3; active military and children under age 6 free; school groups with advance reservations free.

Plan your trip pronto if you want to take part in the Nov. 18 festivities honoring the 42d president (1993-2001). Additional citywide events include a 5K Presidential Fun Run on Nov. 13; a film festival featuring political documentaries (screenings at the Darragh Center in the main public library, Nov. 16-19); a three-day fall arts and crafts market; and an exhibit at the Arkansas Art Center highlighting art favored by eight presidents titled "Art and the White House: Presidential Selections, 1960-2000," scheduled to run Nov. 19-Jan. 25.

CALIFORNIA Ronald Reagan PresidentialLibrary and Museum 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley

800-410-8354

www.reaganlibrary.com/pma

Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Adults $7, seniors $5, children $2, children under 11 free.