Reagan Library, Simi Valley, CA

It has been several months since the last post. We left Las Vegas and came back to Santa Paula to visit family and friends. We are here for eight weeks before we head out on the road again. We have had a lot of time with our granddaughter Gracie, and of course our kids Crystal and Matthew. What a blessing they all are!

On July 1st we were able to reconnect with old friends Dave and Charlie Higby. We kind of had a hand in introducing them about 33 years ago. They have been married 32 years now and have a wonderful family. They are annual members at the Reagan Library and Museum and can take two guests so they volunteered to take Patty and me with them.

Dave, Charlie, Patty, Brian and Ronald Reagan behind us!

The library also currently has an Abraham Lincoln Exhibit which was also VERY interesting! As you walk through the Museum the amount of stuff they have about the great President Reagan is overwhelming!

We first went out to the back where they have a chunck of the Berlin wall. Mr. Gorbachev gives President Reagan huge credit for the wall falling!

Berlin Wall

A little further down from the wall, President Reagan is buried. We stayed there for a few minutes and paid our respect to this wonderful patriot.

Ronald Reagan, RIP

There was a lot of Reagan memorabilia from his sports days, to his radio and TV and movie days to his days as governor of California. Here are some handwritten speeches.

Memorabilia

We thought this sign was appropriate, maybe even for today!

Well?

Patty decided she had the answer and jumped up and started making a speech. All kinds of politicians and dignitaries lined up to support her! :)

Vote for Patty! She's got my vote!

They now have Air Force One at the museum. This is the one that President Reagan used. What surprised me is two things:

1. They would not let you take pictures in it for security reasons although all the private stuff was blocked out.

2. It is on loan from the Air Force. Although it is on "Permanent" loan, I suspect a president that didn't like the legacy of Ronald Reagan could demand it back!

But even though you could not take pictures in it, we were able to walk all the way through it.

Air Force One

This is an EXACT recreation of President Reagan's Oval Office. Even the knick Knacks in the hutches are correct. Many items are actually from the office. You cannot see the couch on this picture, but the couch is not original but the pillows on it are. The desk is the Hayes desk and still in the White House, but the chair behind the desk IS Reagan's actual chair.

Oval Office

After doing all this walking Dave and Charlie decided to go horseback riding with the Gipper! They had a nice time of course.

Giddy-Up!

This is from President Reagan's funeral condolences book. It is from Margaret Thatcher. It reads:

To Ronnie,

"Well done thou good and faithful servant"

Well Done!

The tour continues to the Abraham Lincoln exhibit.

A. Lincoln

This was a collection from about a dozen museums including the Smithsonian. It is really amazing what was on display right here in Ventura County! 

This sculpture actually used real human hair.

Abraham Lincoln

This is one of Abe Lincoln's famous stovepipe hats. It said that he would roll legal papers up in it.

Stovepipe hat

There were a lot of papers signed and sealed by Abe Lincoln, but the most impressive was the signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation! This is really a once in a lifetime thing to see!! WOW!

Emancipation Proclamation

Another amazing artifact but kind of eerie is what is in the box in front of this bed. This is the blood stained pillow from the Peterson house where he died. 

Lincoln Pillow

Really this was a lot to see in one day, probably too much, At the start I was looking at everything, but by about half way I was glancing at things. I will absolutely need to go back again!

After the Library we went back to Dave and Charlies house and had a great time of fellowship with great friends! Dave grilled up some great steaks, and we ate past being full! We caught up on as much as we could and just had a GREAT time! 

We will have to get together again next time we are in town.

Well that's it for now. 

God Bless,
Brian and Patty