I can’t believe I have lived so close to the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum and never visited. I guess I assumed because of our differing political views I wouldn’t enjoy myself. But the Library and Museum are not based upon any political preferences, they are tributes to not only a President but to the country he served. I was invited for a tour and I suggest all of you take part of a day to check it out as well.

Regular Museum Hours:
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. seven days a week
EXCEPT New Year´s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

Regular Admission Fees:
ADULT — Ages 18 – 61 years: $21.00
SENIOR — Ages 62 + years: $18.00
YOUTH — Ages 11 – 17 years: $15.00
CHILD — Ages 10 – 3 years (children 2 and under are free): $6.00

Slab of the Berlin Wall

Speaking at the Berlin Wall on June 12, 1987, Reagan challenged Gorbachev to go further, saying “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

Air Force One

This Flying White House, tail number 27000, served seven U.S Presidents from 1973 to 2001, including Presidents Nixon, Carter, Ford, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton and George W. Bush. For Ronald Reagan, this was the plane in which he hand-wrote many of his speeches, signed important legislation and even officially started the Daytona Beach, Florida NASCAR race via phone.

Oval Office

This is the room known as the president’s formal workspace – take special notice of the desk. It was made from the timbers of the H.M.S. Resolute, an abandoned British ship discovered by an American vessel and returned to the Queen of England as a token of friendship and goodwill. The desk was commissioned by Queen Victoria and presented to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880.

Stunning Views

There is a calming effect that happens when you are surrounded by beauty. From the café patio you can see for miles from mountain top to mountain top and all of Simi Valley below.

Roving Exhibits

Recently The Gulag Collection opened – it contains paintings made by a prisoner of the Soviet Union’s Gulag. Although he survived the Gulag, the horrors were seared into his memory of the horrendous life and death inflicted on so many millions of innocent people. Over four decades, Getman painted portraits to tell this story – one of the few artists who recorded the life of prisoners in the Gulag.

Currently D23 Presents: Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives is on display. It contains over 500 items from the Disney archives, over 75% of which have never been on display anywhere before.

Sunset Dinners

Twice a month the Library holds theme dinners. Coming up this month is a Tribute to Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton on July 19th and Rock and Roll Summer Celebration: Guest Tribute Performance by Elvis, Buddy Holly, and Roy Orbison on July 27th.

Adrienne Van Houten is a Glendale area blogger. She can be found blogging at Adrienne’s House hanging out, come on over and put your feet up.