Presidential Libraries of the South

Episode Transcript:

This is not a nerdy episode, or maybe it is. But I feel like we should go ahead and say something very interesting at the front end to capture your attention. Just to keep you with us. The fact that you've clicked on the episode means you must like us. But presidential libraries aren't just libraries of books. And when a president accepts a gift from a foreign head of state, it becomes the property of the American people as the president works on our behalf. So there are gifts in libraries and museums across the US that technically belong to all of us. So we're going to talk about some of those libraries that exist in the southern United States today. Meet you at the table.

I'm Lainie, and I'm Laura Beth. And we are Steel Magnolias, the strength of steel with the grace of a magnolia. We are here to have uplifting conversations about life in the south. And we've got plenty of room at our table. So pull up a chair.

Welcome back to the Steel Magnolias podcast. And if you have not followed us on Instagram, then you may not know we just crossed our 150th episode. That's impressive. I was just astonished that we were at that number. But oftentimes we do have people ask us, How do you still have topics like that's a lot of topics you've already covered. So I feel like today is a perfect example of where in the world your roster of topics comes from, Lainie.  I think it came in my mind when I had a conversation with some friends of ours who somebody in their family actually gave a gift to the Clintons that is in the Clinton Presidential Library.  They had been to see it.  But anyhow, I think that's kind of what put it on my radar. Okay, yeah, that's in Arkansas. And there's others in the south, I used to live in Atlanta, for a period of time. And that's where the Jimmy Carter presidential library is. And they would have events on the grounds there and things like that. So I just thought, this could be an interesting topic discuss the ones in the South.These libraries are in many locations in the country.  But we do have several that are right here in our backyard. And I think it's interesting they are even called libraries, because they do not always include bookshelves, like we would envision in a library. A lot of them include archives. But I think a better name would just be Museum and Research Center. I've been to other libraries that have more than just books. For instance, if any of you ever find yourself in London, one of my favorite things to mention to people is do not miss the British Library. See, I would not say it is a library, it is free to go in. But it includes all of these displays, it's all British literature and music. So they'll have like, original Alice in Wonderland and they have a Beatles song lyrics written on like a piece of notebook paper, I think the original Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Like they have some really amazing things there that are not just books. It is a library, but it is much more and it's free. So I had a great time seeing that and would go back again. These presidential libraries are meant to preserve historical materials support research, as well. Absolutely. But yeah, to just create exhibits that educate and inspire us to remember what each of these presidencies held like that's what they're each administration had its own flavor, yes, etc. What they encountered in history.

So another thing I think is really cool about the presidential libraries, is if you get the opportunity to tour the White House, it does not include the Oval Office when you tour the White House. Now, you may get some strange opportunity to get to see it. Right. Some special pass if you know somebody, but typically that's not on a tour.  For obvious reasons. I mean, yeah, security rates, there's all kinds of reasons and the president may be in there working or meeting.  Most of these include an exact replica of the Oval Office of that time. So you can get a picture of what that may have been like. So there are there about 15 of these total. Yeah, probably that sounds right. So when I first started thinking about that, I was thinking okay, so why is there not one for every president? So, great question. I thought that too. Well, feels like there should be, but let me tell a little intro history. Okay. So President Franklin D. Roosevelt believed that the papers, books and memorabilia from his administration, were part of the heritage of the United States and that they should be preserved and made available to the public. So in December 1938, he made an announcement that he planned to build a new facility, a presidential library on his estate in Hyde Park, New York. So he raised all the money and built the library and then donated the building and its contents to the National Archives. Wow. So, he did it, he gave the land, he raised the money, and that's still in effect today. Like you can't use federal funds to go build a building or use federal lands to put these on. It's up to the administration, even if you decide to do this after your presidency. Okay. You can't go back and use federal funds or pull from but federal budgets. So to get the ball rolling, a former president has to basically create a nonprofit and raise hundreds of millions of dollars. Wow. So it's quite an undertaking. And they're usually fairly large, many acres of land and that kind of thing. We currently have five in the South. Alright, let's start going through them.

I just went in order of when they were president. Oh, that's that's exactly how I did it. So the first would be Lyndon Johnson. Yep. In Austin, Texas, near the campus of the University of Texas.  It's open to the public right now. In fact, all of these are. I'll just go ahead and make a blanket statement like COVID restrictions changed things. But right now, as of spring of 2022, these are open to the public, and they're all ticketed. And we had this on our brain because yesterday was Presidents Day. So that's another reason we're doing this right now. Because that holiday kind of sprung this to the top of the list of topics. But yeah, so if you find yourself in Austin, this might be a fun thing to do as a family. So some highlights, as you mentioned, Oval Office replica.

We’ve got a letter from Jackie Kennedy. You've got the Voting Rights desk where you can browse through an interactive voting rights display or exhibit. Yeah, that was a big part of that administration. Yeah. Pick up a phone in the Great Society gallery, specifically the first column about civil rights J. Edgar Hoover, or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. So this is something I think is so fascinating. You can actually listen to phone calls through a receiver of the phone from that time. Incredible. Apparently, the recordings are remarkably good and very intimate. Wow.

Almost like getting the feeling of eavesdropping.  Over conversations that happened 50 years ago. That's so crazy. Perhaps the conversations from the days after JFK assassination on November 22 1963. Whoa, things like that. There's a conversation between Johnson and Martin Luther King on November 25 1963. A Conversation with he and Gerald Ford from that year but apparently this conversation from December 2 1963 with Jackie Kennedy Yeah, is one that will bring you to tears bring you to tears give you chills kind of thing.  That's so while Yeah, yeah, that is interesting that that technology. We think we've come so far and we have, but we also had a lot of technology that gets that preserved for recording conversations for Richard Nixon worth. True. So yeah, so if you are in the Austin area, LBJ Library right there, available to the public tickets are $13 with discounts given to seniors, military, college students, etc. Yes. And I think four to 12. Under 12 are free. Yeah. So that'd be fun. A fun day.

Next up would be the Jimmy Carter. Okay. Library down in Atlanta. Yes, it's on 35 gorgeous acres. Have you been by there before? I have been on that property? Yes. I did not actually do this museum. You know, when you're in your 20s. I know. Thanks, sir. different priorities for dollars into music festivals, not presidential libraries of that time. I get it. I cannot be the same way anyhow. So here, one of the things that I think would be really special and cool would be his Nobel Peace Prize is on view. Wow, to see as well as again, a lot of the same things, the Oval Office how that would have looked.  But yeah, you can see a lot of the work that he did, not only in the administration, but after. Yeah, he's known for doing a lot of Habitat for Humanity work and things like that. I did think this dramatic presentation of a day in the life of the president it's got 13 foot screens it's a walk through cabin setting for the crucial Camp David meetings. Oh, yeah. There's like an interactive map table that takes you with the Carter's to to monitor elections and fight diseases and just different things that were part of that administration. That's awesome. And like you said, I mean, amazing setting great view of the Atlanta skyline, apparently, yes, yes. Just Yeah, lovely grounds. And I think most of these libraries also include the limousine of that President so that would be kind of interesting to see even how cars have changed. I love seeing that kind of stuff. Yeah, that's so fun. That's so fun.

So that one similar pricing, I think 10 to $12 Free under 16 etc. 

Okay, next up, George Bush- George Herbert Bush- George Senior as I always call him. College Station Texas on the Texas a&m campus.  Well, artifacts here inside this museum include a world war two Avenger torpedo bomber, similar to the one George Bush flew during World War Two. Wow. As well as replicas of the Camp David and Air Force One. Offices. Yeah, that would be cool to see.  Also, another thing kind of of importance here, the Bushes are actually buried on the grounds here. That's right, as well as their daughter who died at three of leukemia, Robin Bush. They're all buried here, their three headstones are there. It's sort of off site, and you can walk to it, but like, you can't drive up there. So there's a sidewalk or some sort of path to it, but it's sort of a little secluded, which makes sense.  Well, I think it's funny that so, you know, collections of artifacts of eight years and time as a vice president, as well, leaving the CIA. Sure. That was they've got lots of, you know, gifts and things. So I was just thinking, what must be nice to have a place to put random gifts, all the figurines and sculptures from that person that you're like, thank you. Yes, what do I do with this Chinese vase or this Egyptian sculpture?  So as I mentioned on the front end of our episode, when a president accepts a gift from a foreign head. It's technically property of the American people. But the President may choose to retain some of the gifts at the end of their term. So for the gifts from foreign heads of state, the president must purchase the gift at the appraised value, ah, for domestic gifts or gifts from foreign private citizens' under a set dollar amount, which is currently $415. So, the President may keep them at those as he chooses. Okay, so it's under that price. You get to keep it. Most of them aren't going to be under that price.  Usually, dignitaries give unusual special gifts, that are prized in some form or fashion. Yeah. Imagine like the antique road show. Like some of the things where you're like, that is worth $12,000? Right. So the for any domestic gifts or gifts from foreign private citizens over that set amount, the president must declare them on their taxes. Now, this is fascinating, because we won't mention names. Okay, but I know that this gets fishy waters because I'm sure I've heard of some, furniture that's left the White House and things like that. I wonder if there's a specific role or a position or a job that's like the roster keeper of all gifts. Yeah. So if the President does not formally indicate their intent to keep or purchase or declare the gifts, they're automatically transferred to the National Archives. Okay. So anyway, there's, if it didn't sneak out the back door, it's supposed to be archived.

Next up is the Clinton presidential library in Little Rock, Arkansas. Right. Like I mentioned, we have someone who apparently has, I think it's some kind of Eagle sculpture or something. Oh, cool in that library, okay. Well, their family gave it as a gift. This one has over 100,000 objects and works of art. Wow. So I don't know if that's the most. But that's seems like the largest number that I saw. So they received a lot of gifts from everyone imaginable, including citizens in the US.  I feel like there's a really off color comment I could insert here about objects collected from President Clinton, but I will keep that to myself. But I'm sure you know- dresses or cigars? Well, this particular museum or I'm wanting to say Museum, because it feels more like a museum library. Also has a restaurant. I thought this was kind of funny. It's called 42, which seems so apropos like he was president is the 42nd. President. So I don't know. He just seems like he's like the party guy. So he would have like a fun chic restaurant, right and complete with poker stations. And maybe, I don't know. Yeah, yeah. Anyhow, it looked like pretty outdoor, again, outdoor views and that kind of thing. So if you find yourself in Little Rock, that might be a fun stop. I'm not sure why this particular library is getting this museum that's coming up, but they are doing a women's voices women's votes, exhibit, okay, it's going to be in the spring of this year 2022. And it's going to commemorate that 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. And it's going to just, you know, have a different multimedia exhibit that's going to explore the risks that some of those women took, and some of the males that you know, joined them in that fight. And that's those two episodes we did we did great on those when that anniversary actually happened. So that would be a cool time to visit this particular library. In fact, you mentioned this, but many of the exhibits at all of these are always there. And then other things just like any museum has, you know, traveling exhibits and things that change out and it keeps it interesting for those that are members and events like you said, yeah, so you know if lots of lectures and educational series but also a probably a lot of parties and fundraisers right Be my guest. It makes sense that a lot of these are on college campuses, though, because you think of how much research happens in locations like that. So yes, a natural fit. Yeah, yeah. For research. Yep. All right. 

Are we back to Texas now?  We’re in Texas again. So three of the five Southern presidential libraries are in Texas. I mean, you know, it is so big there. The George W. Bush Library is in Dallas on the campus of Southern Methodist University, SMU. Yeah, I think Baylor had pitched to have this one.  It ended up landing at SMU. Okay.

Well, I think one of the most fascinating things that I would love to see at this

exhibit because it was very much in a timeframe where I was starting to understand history is they have the bullhorn. Is that what you knew I was gonna say, Well, I think they also have a big piece of one of the buildings that fell in New York. So the, the famous sort of coming into New York City, post 911 trip, that George W made.  He picked up a bullhorn, and really, you know, rallied the troops. Because yeah, we were also tender. Yes. And somebody yelled something out, I still remember this. And he said, I can hear you and the whole world's about to hear all of us. Yes, that's exactly right, something along those lines. Crowd roared. It was ike a hug and firing up at the same time. So they have that bullhorn on display. That would be very cool to see. I don't know if they have any of his artwork. But you know, he began painting. Oh, and has painted a lot of people. He likes to paint people's faces. I don't know if they have any of that at this library. But that would be wonderful to see. I think this was one of the more expensive tickets of the ones we've talked about. This is a $26 entry fee. But again, discounts given to military and students; free for active military. Yeah, I think I feel like almost everyone was nice, free, they should be there. If they should be escorted in at a free tour guide. There's also a pretty significant discount with a Dallas city pass. So if you're in Dallas, and you're, you know, those city passes that pay a fee, and you get discounts or it includes admission to a lot of thing. Yes. If you're in Dallas, and you're going to do several stops. That's a pretty significant discount.  Now, we still have George W. And Laura, with us, but they will be buried here after their passing. So just like his parents are buried at their presidential library, this is where they will rest in peace.  This is the most expensive and it is the largest of the five that we are mentioning here. I think the largest of all is the Ronald Reagan Library in California. But that may be part of the reason the ticket price is higher is the size. Well, I figured it was for some reason, you know, whether it be a more interactive exhibit you get to partake in or whatever. So Well, that might be the one I'd want to go to if I had to choose one. Well, it's also during your lifetime. I think before we even started recording, any of these would be fantastic to visit no matter what your political party. Yeah, regardless of your thoughts on them as a person. They were the leader of our country and the free world for a period of time. Yes. So there's a lot of important things that happened whether you agreed with everything they did or not, right? It is a time capsule. That's right, really, that you get to go look at so and it would be worth seeing and taking your family to see.

All right. Well, we just gave y'all some ideas for spring break, or summer travel. Or maybe you're already in one of these cities, and you didn't even realize you had one or you've been meaning to get over there or you're like me and you were in your 20s and you're like I'd rather put my money somewhere else but it would be very interesting. Who knows what all you may say there.

All right, well, that will do it for this episode. We'll be back with more southern cultural topics next week. Peace be with you, Laura Beth and also with y’all!