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In 1990 the Richard Nixon Library and Museum was dedicated to the 37th President of the United States Richard Nixon. The library and Museum were built in Yorba Linda, California where President Nixon was born and raised until 1922. Richard Nixon was born in a farmhouse in Yorba Linda, California in 1913. At the Museum in Yorba Linda, there is a replica of the house in which Nixon had grown up in.
In the year 1922 Nixon and his family relocated to Whittier California where Nixon would spend the rest of his childhood and later his high school years. After High School, Nixon went on to attend Whittier College where he would graduate second in his class. Post Whittier College, Nixon attended the Duke University of Law where he would graduate third in his class.
After Nixon finished at Duke University he came back to California and married Patricia Ryan. Shortly after their wedding Nixon decided to enlist in the Navy and went on to serve in World War I. After his time serving in the Navy Nixon ran for Congress and was elected from Whittier, California in the year 1946.
Richard Nixon would continue working in politics for years to come. He was elected to the United States Senate from California in the year 1950. Nixon decided to run for President in 1960 and eventually lost to John F. Kennedy in what is known as the closest election of all time. It would be years down the road in which Nixon would rerun for the Presidency only to defeat Hubert Humphrey in 1968. Nixon's years in office would be remembered as some of the most scandalous times for a United States President.
The Nixon Library and Museum takes you back in time with an amazing and exact replica of what the Oval Office looked like while Nixon served as the President of the United States.
While visiting the Nixon Library, one might find an elderly man named Bob Lyons providing all the specific details from Nixon's Oval Office. Mr. Lyons provides a wealth of information including the fact that the Oval Office was decorated by first lady Pat Nixon and that she chose the colors of Blue and Gold which are the colors of California. Visitors will learn about details such as the fact that Nixon's Oval Office featured the first ever carpet to be embroidered with the Presidential Seal. Visitors will find a picture hanging on the wall next to Nixon's desk of the Earth from Space that Astronauts from mission Apollo 11 photographed while on the moon. Another piece of information provided is in the drawer inside the Oval Office desk, Nixon would keep personal items such as Sunglasses, Pens used to sign Bills and any other personal gifts given to him by visitors. Nixon did not spend as much time in the Oval Office as many other President's. During his time in office, he had only given 37 speeches from the Oval Office. Bob informs visitors that Nixon would spend the majority of his time in the dining area just outside of the Oval Office.
The replica of the Oval Office is just one of the many incredible features of the Nixon Library and Museum. Many other features include a miniature replica of Richard and Pat's estate in San Clemente, California. This estate was at times referred to as White House West.
During his time in office, Nixon was notorious for writing his thoughts and important information on yellow notepads. At the museum visitors will find tons of important notes on yellow notepads, the museum does, in fact, contain all of the notes Nixon had on notepads. One feature that is incredibly informative that the museum provides is the scrolling stations where the visitor can scroll through notes that Nixon had written. Many images around the museum show Nixon sitting in his chair writing on a yellow notepad or even writing on a notepad while flying on Air Force One.
One of the most interesting exhibits on display at the Nixon Library and Museum is the Watergate exhibit. The Watergate exhibit features a timeline in which all information regarding the Watergate scandal is included from the names of the initial men that broke into the Watergate Complex all the way to Nixon's resignation in 1974. Richard Nixon's Presidency may be forever remembered by this scandal as it is often referred to as the biggest scandal in United States President history and endless information is provided here at the museum.
The exhibits shown at the Library immediately following Nixon's post-presidency time are exhibits that bring us back to the beginning when Nixon was a child and a student in California. On display, many visitors will see Nixon's diplomas from Whittier College as well as the Duke University of Law. Other features include Nixon's lettermen jacket from Whittier High School where he played on the football team. Another piece of information that visitors will receive is that Nixon had been offered a tuition scholarship to Harvard University, however, his family could not afford for him to attend.
The museum is completely full of little unknown facts about Richard Nixon, many do not know that he had applied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation after graduating from the Duke University of Law or that in order to fund his first campaign Nixon had resorted to the game of Poker that was taught to him by his roommate from New York.
Many exhibits are on display that reflects the life of Richard Nixon and his family. In 1993 the wife of Richard Nixon, Patricia Ryan Nixon had died. The following year former President Richard Nixon had died. Both Nixon and his wife were laid to rest at the Library and Museum, visitors are able to visit their gravesites when they visit the Museum.
The Library and Museum are not only open for educational purposes, but it also hosts community events and serves as a place to bring people together. Many high schools, local and not local, choose to have their Prom dance here. Weddings are also hosted at the Library throughout the year. For those interested in visiting Orange County, California, the Richard Nixon Library and Museum is a must visit attraction. The museum features great pieces of United States History and information on the life that former President Richard Nixon led. Visitors should be advised that there are small daily fees in order to visit the Museum.
Resources:
ABC News, ABC News Network, abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/tour-richard-nixon-presidential-library-museum-47332078.
“Nixon Library Wedding, Part One Chris, and Jenny.” The Youngrens | San Diego Photographers, 9 Sept. 2012, theyoungrens.com/blog/weddings/nixon-library-wedding-part-one-chris-and-jenny/.
“President Nixon.” Richard Nixon Museum and Library, www.nixonlibrary.gov/president-nixon.
“Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum.” Presidential Leadership, presidentialleadershipbook.com/richard-nixon/photos/.
“The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.” Thinkwell Group, Inc., thinkwellgroup.com/projects/richard-nixon-presidential-library-museum/.
“Through the Prism of the Past: Watergate Memories at the Nixon Library.” Social Science Space, 3 July 2017, www.socialsciencespace.com/2017/06/prism-past-watergate-memories-nixon-library/.
“Visiting Nixon Presidential Library.” Hobbies on a Budget, 6 July 2018, hobbiesonabudget.com/visiting-nixon-presidential-library/.
