View source for Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

{{short description|Presidential library in Simi Valley, California}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
| logo = Seal of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.svg
| logo_alt = 
| logo_caption  = 
| image = View of the Reagan Library from the south.jpg
| image_alt = Over view of the library and parking lot nestled in the hills
| image_caption = 
| map_type = USA Los Angeles Metropolitan Area#California#USA
| map_size = 
| map_caption = 
| location = [[Simi Valley, California]], United States
| coordinates = {{Coord|34.2595|-118.8194|type:landmark_region:US-CA_scale:2000|display=inline,title}}
| inauguration_date = 
| namesake = [[Ronald Reagan]]
| construction_start_date = November 21, 1988
| completion_date = November 4, 1991
| cost = $60 million [[USD]]
| size = {{convert|243000|sqft|m2}}
| management = [[National Archives and Records Administration]]<br /> Reagan Library Foundation
| architect = [[Hugh Stubbins]] 
| website = {{URL|https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/}}
}}
The '''Ronald Reagan Presidential Library''' is the [[Presidential library system|presidential library]] and burial site of [[Ronald Reagan]], the 40th [[president of the United States]] (1981–1989), and his wife [[Nancy Reagan]]. Located in [[Simi Valley, California]], the library is administered by the [[National Archives and Records Administration]] (NARA). 

The library opened in 1991 and houses the repository of presidential records from the [[Reagan administration]]. The library contains millions of documents, photographs, films and tapes. It also contains memorabilia and a permanent exhibit of Ronald Reagan's life. 

==Planning==
[[File:RRPresidential2021.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the Reagan Library, 2021]]

The first person to propose a site for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library was W. Glenn Campbell, director of the [[Hoover Institution]], a conservative think tank much used by Reagan for policy positions. Campbell contacted [[Ronald Reagan]] in February 1981 to say that the Hoover Institution was willing to host the Reagan Library at their headquarters on the campus of [[Stanford University]] in Northern California. The advantage held by Hoover was that Reagan was an honorary fellow, and Hoover already housed Reagan's papers from his campaign for and transition to [[governor of California]]. Ronald and [[Nancy Reagan]] participated in occasional informal discussions about the library plans with Campbell and Stanford President [[Donald Kennedy]] through 1982. During this time, a proposal to place the [[Richard Nixon Presidential Library]] on campus at [[Duke University]] in North Carolina was under attack by Duke faculty and the [[National Archives and Records Administration]] (NARA) who were all worried that the [[Richard Nixon Foundation]] would not allow scholarly access to archives, which they judged was the primary purpose of a presidential library. The Duke faculty were also firmly against having a museum serve as a memorial to Nixon who had left office in disgrace. This public controversy shaped the discussions about a Reagan Library at Stanford.<ref name="Mitchell & Kirk 2008">{{cite journal |last1=Mitchell |first1=Gordon R. |last2=Kirk |first2=Jennifer |date=Spring 2008 |title=Between Education and Propaganda: Public Controversy Over Presidential Library Design |journal=Argumentation and Advocacy |volume=44 |issue=4 |pages=213–230|doi=10.1080/00028533.2008.11821691 |s2cid=141364164 }}</ref> Reagan hosted the Hoover Institution at the [[White House]] in January 1982, telling them, "You built the knowledge base that made the changes now taking place in Washington possible."<ref name=CSM>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1983/0628/062846.html|title = Liberal-conservative debate at Stanford's Hoover Institute|journal = Christian Science Monitor|date = June 28, 1983}}</ref>

Reagan formally accepted the Hoover Institution invitation in January 1983. The plans included three components: an archival library for researchers, a museum for the general public, and a "Center for Public Affairs" which would serve as a think tank to promote the ideas of the Reagan Foundation. Negotiations were undertaken between Stanford's Kennedy and Reagan's adviser [[Edwin Meese]]. In June 1983, Kennedy called for Stanford faculty to express their opinions through the Rosse Committee, to report by October.<ref name="Mitchell & Kirk 2008"/> Professor John Manley accused the Hoover Institution of right-wing bias, and said that Stanford's reputation for objectivity would suffer from partisanship.<ref name=CSM/> The Rosse Committee reported both the negative and the positive aspects of the proposed library, and Stanford's Board of Trustees approved the location in December 1983.<ref name="Mitchell & Kirk 2008"/> The agreement was announced in February 1984.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-G4aAAAAIBAJ&pg=7052,3666746&dq=stanford+library&hl=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124130247/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-G4aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_ykEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7052,3666746&dq=stanford+library&hl=en |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 24, 2013 |title=Reagan Library at Stanford OK'd |date=February 15, 1984 |newspaper=[[Milwaukee Journal]] |access-date=November 28, 2012 |via=[[Google News]]}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1984feb15">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/15/us/stanford-to-be-the-site-of-the-reagan-library.html |title=Stanford to be the Site of the Reagan Library |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |date=February 15, 1984 |first=Wallace |last=Turner}}</ref> Local opposition heightened after that, and a student group was formed to publicize the negative aspects, shocking their readers with fearful images of scholarly Stanford turning into a political "Reagan University". This polarized response was compared in the press to the Nixon Foundation's difficulties at Duke. A recurring point of contention was the Center for Public Affairs; some critics announced they would only approve the project if the think tank was removed or relocated offsite. Nancy Reagan insisted that the three components were indivisible, that she would not consider any suggestion of splitting up the proposal.<ref name="Mitchell & Kirk 2008"/>

Because of continued concerns about partisan politics, the library plans were canceled by Stanford in 1987.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/24/us/plan-for-reagan-library-at-stanford-is-dropped.html |title=Plan for Reagan Library at Stanford Is Dropped |last=Lindsey |first=Robert |date=April 24, 1987 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=August 24, 2012}}</ref> The site in Simi Valley was chosen the same year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Enriquez |first=Sam |date=1987-11-14 |title=Ventura County Site Picked for Reagan Library |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-11-14-mn-5133-story.html |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Design==
[[File:President and Mrs. Bush pose with the former presidents and first ladies in the replica of the Oval Office at the... - NARA - 186441.jpg|alt=Husbands and wives alternate, as the subjects of the photo line up for the shoot, with the Presidential Seal in the foreground.|thumb|right|Presidents and [[First Lady of the United States|First Ladies]] dedicating the library: Lady Bird Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter, Gerald Ford, Betty Ford, Richard Nixon, Pat Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush]]

The Reagan Library is located at 40 Presidential Drive in [[Simi Valley, California]]<ref name="LADN 2016-02-04">{{cite news |last=Bartholomew |first=Dana |date=February 4, 2016 |title=Reagan's 105th birthday to be celebrated with new statue, coins |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2016/02/04/reagans-105th-birthday-to-be-celebrated-with-new-statue-coins/ |url-status=live |work=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609045157/https://www.dailynews.com/2016/02/04/reagans-105th-birthday-to-be-celebrated-with-new-statue-coins/ |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |access-date=June 9, 2023}}</ref> about {{convert|40|mi|km}} northwest of [[downtown Los Angeles]] and {{convert|15|mi|km}} west of [[Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California|Chatsworth]].{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

The library's design was unveiled on January 28, 1987,<ref name="Sandler 1987">{{cite news |last=Sandler |first=Norman D. |date=January 28, 1987 |title=The design of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, unveiled... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/01/28/The-design-of-the-Ronald-Reagan-Presidential-Library-unveiled/6902538808400/ |work=[[United Press International]] |access-date=June 9, 2023}}</ref> in [[Mission Revival architecture|Spanish Mission style]].<ref>{{cite news |date=January 31, 1987 |title=Reagan Plan for a Library is Displayed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/31/us/reagan-plan-for-a-library-is-displayed.html |url-status=live |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609050249/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/31/us/reagan-plan-for-a-library-is-displayed.html |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |access-date=June 9, 2023}}</ref> According to its architect, [[Hugh Stubbins]], Reagan approved the design, likening it to his residence of [[Rancho del Cielo]].<ref name="Sandler 1987"/>

New York design agency [[Donovan/Green]] was contracted to design the facility's interior and exhibition spaces with partner [[Nancye Green]] overseeing the project.<ref>{{cite web |title=Women's Lyceum focuses on innovation |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2006/04/24/daily1.html |website=BizJournals.com |access-date=17 May 2019 |ref=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Linda |title=Reagan Library Designer Strives for Warmth in Exhibit |url=http://archive.newsok.com/olive/apa/oklahoman/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=DOK%2F1992%2F04%2F26&id=Ar06800&sk=B390FC05 |access-date=17 May 2019 |work=Daily Oklahoman |date=April 26, 1992 |ref=}}</ref> Construction of the library began in 1988, and the center was dedicated on November 4, 1991.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Riechers |first1=Angela |title=2014 AIGA Medalist Michael Donovan and Nancye Green |url=https://www.aiga.org/aiga/content/inspiration/aiga-medalist/2014-aiga-medalist-michael-donovan-and-nancye-green |publisher=AIGA |access-date=21 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Museum |url=http://www.reaganfoundation.org/museum/ |access-date=November 19, 2007 |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118113221/http://www.reaganfoundation.org/museum/ |archive-date=November 18, 2007}}</ref> The dedication ceremonies were the first time in United States history that five American presidents gathered together in the same place: [[Richard Nixon]], [[Gerald Ford]], [[Jimmy Carter]], Ronald Reagan himself, and [[George H. W. Bush]].<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE2D81130F932A35752C1A967958260 |title=Elite Group to Dedicate Reagan Library |access-date=November 19, 2007 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 1, 1991 |last=Mydans |first=Seth}}</ref> Six [[First Lady of the United States|First Ladies]] also attended: [[Lady Bird Johnson]], [[Pat Nixon]], [[Betty Ford]], [[Rosalynn Carter]], Nancy Reagan, and [[Barbara Bush]].<ref name="Library Encyclopedia">{{cite encyclopedia |first=Melissa |last=Giller |title=Reagan Presidential Library |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science |volume=4 |editor-first=Miriam A. |editor-last=Drake |page=2456 |year=2003 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=0-8247-2080-6}}</ref>

==Facilities and management==
As a presidential library administered by the NARA, the Reagan Library, under the authority of the Presidential Records Act, is the repository of presidential records for the [[Reagan administration]].<ref name="archives"/> Holdings include 50&nbsp;million pages of presidential documents, over 1.6&nbsp;million photographs, a half-million feet of motion picture film and thousands of audio and video tapes.<ref name="archives">{{cite web |title=Archives: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library |url=http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/ |access-date=November 20, 2007 |publisher=[[National Archives and Records Administration]] |archive-date=May 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517124602/http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The library also houses personal papers collections including documents from Reagan's eight years as California's governor.<ref name="archives"/>

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute is an independent non-profit corporation founded by Ronald Reagan that works with the National Archives and that "sustains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, CA, the Reagan Center for Public Affairs, the Presidential Learning Center, The Air Force One Pavilion, the award-winning Reagan Leadership Academy and the Reagan Institute" according to its website.<ref name="ReaganFoundationAboutUs">{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.reaganfoundation.org/about-us/ |website=www.reaganfoundation.org |access-date=19 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

When the Reagan Library opened, it was the largest of the presidential libraries, at approximately {{convert|153000|sqft|m2}}.<ref name=Hufbauer>{{cite journal |last=Hufbauer |first=Benjamin |title=The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum |journal=[[Journal of American History]] |date=December 1, 2008 |volume=95 |issue=3 |pages=786–92 |doi=10.2307/27694381 |jstor=27694381 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/politics/news/a6825/obama-presidential-library/ |title=How Will the Obama Presidential Library Stack Up? |last=Lopez |first=Natalina |date=July 1, 2016 |website=Town and Country Magazine |publisher=Hearst Communications, Inc. |access-date=March 3, 2017 |quote=Perched on a hillside in Simi Valley, California, the Reagan Library wins the prize for being the largest of the presidential libraries. }}</ref><ref name="nyt"/> It held that title until the dedication of the [[Clinton Presidential Center]] on November 18, 2004. With the opening of the {{convert|90000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} [[Air Force One]] Pavilion in October 2005, the Reagan Library reclaimed the title in terms of physical size;<ref name="large">{{cite news |url=http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/nov/03/winds-tear-air-force-one-pavilion-roof-at-reagan/ |title=Winds Tear Air Force One Pavilion Roof at Reagan Library |access-date=November 20, 2007 |newspaper=[[Ventura County Star]] |date=November 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103010126/http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/nov/03/winds-tear-air-force-one-pavilion-roof-at-reagan/ |archive-date=January 3, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> however, the Clinton Library remains the largest presidential library in terms of materials.<ref>{{cite web |title=Library Museum and Information |url=http://www.clintonlibrary.gov/museum.html |access-date=November 20, 2007 |publisher=Clinton Presidential Library and Museum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117024612/http://www.clintonlibrary.gov/museum.html |archive-date=November 17, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Like all presidential libraries since that of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Reagan Library was built entirely with private donations, at a cost of $60 million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|60000000|1991}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}).<ref name="nyt"/> Major donors included [[Walter Annenberg]], [[Lew Wasserman]], [[Lodwrick Cook]], Joe Albritton, [[Rupert Murdoch]], Richard Sills, and John P. McGovern.<ref name="Library Encyclopedia" /> 

For fiscal year 2007, the Reagan Library had 305,331&nbsp;visitors, making it the second-most-visited presidential library, following the [[Lyndon B. Johnson Library]]; that was down from its fiscal year 2006 number of 440,301&nbsp;visitors, when it was the most visited library.<ref>{{cite video |date=November 30, 2007 |title=Presidential Libraries on C-SPAN: Exclusive Series Interviews and Additional Footage |url=http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/JCl |medium=Documentary |publisher=[[C-SPAN]] |access-date=October 14, 2011 | time=1:32:03, 1:32:55}}</ref> In 2021, it was said that the library was averaging some 375,000 annual visitors prior to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Mike |title='Something more than the typical presidential library:' Reagan celebrates 30 years |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/simi-valley/2021/11/01/reagan-presidential-library-museum-simi-valley-celebrates-30th-anniversary/6088978001/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Artifacts inventory ===
On November 8, 2007, Reagan Library National Archives officials reported that due to poor record-keeping, they are unable to say whether approximately 80,000&nbsp;artifacts have been stolen or are lost inside the museum complex.<ref name="la times">{{cite news |first1=Steve |last1=Chawkins |first2=Catherine |last2=Salliant |name-list-style=amp |title=The Talk of the Reagan Library |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-nov-09-me-reagan9-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=November 9, 2007 |access-date=October 14, 2011}}</ref> A "near-universal" security breakdown was also blamed, leaving the artifacts vulnerable to theft. Many of the nation's presidential libraries claim to be understaffed and underfunded.<ref name="tampa bay">{{cite news |first1=Ricardo |last1=Alonso-Zaldivar |first2=Catherine |last2=Salliant |name-list-style=amp |title=Reagan Library Has Lost Thousands of Artifacts |url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/nov/10/na-reagan-library-has-lost-thousands-of-artifacts/ |newspaper=[[Tampa Tribune]] |date=November 10, 2007 |access-date=November 21, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305213644/http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/nov/10/na-reagan-library-has-lost-thousands-of-artifacts/ |archive-date=March 5, 2009}}</ref> The NARA labeled the Reagan Library as having the most serious problems with its inventory.<ref name="tampa bay"/> In an audit, U.S. Archivist [[Allen Weinstein]] blamed the library's poor inventory software for the mishap. [[Fred Ryan|Frederick J. Ryan Jr.]], president of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation's board of directors, said the allegations of poor management practices at the library reflect badly on the National Archives.<ref name="la times"/> The library has undertaken an inventory project that will take years to complete.<ref name="tampa bay"/>

===Wildfire incident===
In the 2019 [[Easy Fire]], the library had to be evacuated and was almost completely surrounded by the fire.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/10/reagan-library-evacuated-as-easy-fire-encroaches.html|title=Reagan Library Evacuated As Easy Fire Encroaches|author=Matt Stieb|date=October 30, 2019|newspaper=Intelligencer|access-date=November 1, 2019}}</ref> Earlier the same year, the brush around the buildings had been cleared by goats to create a [[Defensible space (fire control)|defensible space]], which helped save the facilities from burning down, according to a firefighter.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/a-shout-out-to-those-grass-gnawing-goat-fire-brigades|title=A shout-out to those grass-gnawing goat fire brigades|last=May|first=Patrick|date=October 31, 2019|work=[[The Mercury News]]|access-date=2019-11-02}}</ref> [[Olive tree]]s used in the landscaping were damaged along with presidential banners lining the access road. A major item in the estimated half a million dollars of damage was an internet and cable box that took down the library's network.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-18/easy-fire-cost-reagan-library-500-000-in-damages-destroying-presidential-banners-and-olive-trees|title=Easy fire cost Reagan Library $500,000, including destroyed banners and olive trees|last=Shalby|first=Colleen|date=2019-11-18|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref>

==Exhibits and scenery==
[[File:F-14-Reagan Library.jpg|alt=A twin-tailed jet fighter is posed on the lawn.|thumb|left|An [[F-14 Tomcat]], representing one of the planes involved in the [[Gulf of Sidra incident (1981)|1981 Gulf of Sidra incident]] on display in the library grounds]]
[[File:Berlin Wall at the Reagan Library.jpg|alt=A chunk of cement, painted with natural shapes, such as insects and flowers.|thumb|left|upright|A large piece of the [[Berlin Wall]] located in the library grounds]]

The museum features continually changing temporary exhibits and a permanent exhibit covering Reagan's life. This exhibit begins during Reagan's childhood in [[Dixon, Illinois]], and follows his life through his film career and military service, marriage to Nancy Davis Reagan, and political career.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/museum/gallery/early.html |title=Early Years Gallery |access-date=October 14, 2011 |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208172514/http://www.reaganfoundation.org/museum/dtc_home.asp?gid=1&sgid=39 |archive-date=February 8, 2007}}</ref> The "Citizen Governor" gallery shows footage of Reagan's 1964 "[[A Time for Choosing]]" speech and contains displays on his eight years as governor. The gallery includes a 1965 [[Ford Mustang]] used by Reagan during his first gubernatorial campaign, as well as the desk he used as governor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Citizen Governor Gallery |url=http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/museum/gallery/govreagan.html |access-date=October 14, 2011 |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208172245/http://www.reaganfoundation.org/museum/dtc_home.asp?gid=1&sgid=40 |archive-date=February 8, 2007}}</ref> His 1980 and 1984 presidential campaigns are also highlighted, as well as his inauguration suit and a table from the [[White House Situation Room]] is on display. News footage of the [[Reagan assassination attempt|1981 assassination attempt]] on his life is shown, and information about the proposed [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] (SDI, dubbed "Star Wars") is included.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/museum/gallery/newbegin.html |title=New Beginnings Gallery |access-date=October 14, 2011 |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208172454/http://www.reaganfoundation.org/museum/dtc_home.asp?gid=1&sgid=41 |archive-date=February 8, 2007}}</ref>

A full-scale replica of the [[Oval Office]], a feature of most presidential libraries, is a prominent feature of this museum as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/museum/gallery/ovaloffice.html |title=The Oval Office |access-date=October 14, 2011 |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208172255/http://www.reaganfoundation.org/museum/dtc_home.asp?gid=1&sgid=42 |archive-date=February 8, 2007}}</ref> Among the items Reagan kept on the [[Resolute desk|''Resolute'' desk]], which is replicated in the exhibit, was a {{convert|16|in|cm|adj=mid|-tall}} copy of a bronze statue of [[William S. Williams|"Old Bill Williams"]], by [[B. R. Pettit]]; Williams was a renowned [[mountain man]] of Arizona.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Old Bill Williams sculpture |journal=Arizona Highways |date=May 1985 |id=WPS33940 |page=38}}</ref> Other parts of the exhibit focus on Reagan's Rancho del Cielo, the presidential retreat [[Camp David]], life in the White House,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/museum/gallery/residences.html |title=The President's Residences |access-date=October 14, 2011 |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208172504/http://www.reaganfoundation.org/museum/dtc_home.asp?gid=1&sgid=43 |archive-date=February 8, 2007}}</ref> and Nancy Reagan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/museum/gallery/nancy.html |title=First Lady Nancy Reagan |access-date=October 14, 2011 |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208172434/http://www.reaganfoundation.org/museum/dtc_home.asp?gid=1&sgid=44 |archive-date=February 8, 2007}}</ref> An example of a temporary exhibit that ran from November 10, 2007, to November 10, 2008, was titled "Nancy Reagan: A First Lady's Style" and had featured over 80&nbsp;designer dresses belonging to Nancy Reagan.<ref name="corcoran">{{cite news |first=Monica |last=Corcoran |title=The Nancy Years |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-nov-11-ig-reaganstyle11-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=November 11, 2007 |access-date=October 14, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Anna |last=Bakalis |title=Style Exhibit Chronicles Nancy Reagan's Life |url=http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/nov/09/nancy-reagan-a-first-ladys-style-at-reagan-her/ |newspaper=[[Ventura County Star]] |date=November 9, 2007 |access-date=November 22, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305190145/http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/nov/09/nancy-reagan-a-first-ladys-style-at-reagan-her/ |archive-date=March 5, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Calendar of Events |url=http://www.reaganlibrary.com/visitorguide/calendar.asp |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation |access-date=December 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822182255/http://www.reaganlibrary.com/visitorguide/calendar.asp |archive-date=August 22, 2007}}</ref>

The hilltop grounds provide expansive views of the area, a re-creation of a portion of the [[White House]] Lawn, and a piece of the [[Berlin Wall]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Dave |date=November 7, 2023 |title=Artists restore Berlin Wall segment at Reagan library in Simi Valley |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2023/11/07/artists-restore-berlin-wall-segment-at-reagan-library/71413583007/ |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=Ventura County Star}}</ref> An [[F-14 Tomcat]] (BuNo 162592) is also located on the grounds.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-18-me-288-story.html|title=Stemming the Tide : Endangered Plant Has Knack of Blocking Construction|date=January 18, 1991|first=MARC |last=LACEY |access-date=17 January 2018|newspaper=[[LA Times]]}}</ref>

In February 2016, a large equestrian statue of Reagan was installed in front of the Air Force One Pavilion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Joseph |first1=Dana |title=Ronald Reagan Rides Again |url=https://www.cowboysindians.com/2016/02/ronald-reagan-rides-again/ |access-date=28 February 2020 |publisher=Cowboys & Indians |date=February 2016}}</ref> Entitled "Along the Trail", it depicts Reagan riding his favorite horse, El Alamein.{{r|LADN 2016-02-04}} An earlier bronze entitled "Begins the Trail", both by sculptor Donald L. Reed, stands in Dixon.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Griggs |first=Gregory W. |date=2006-11-02 |title=Reagan rides again -- this time in bronze |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-nov-02-me-reagan2-story.html |access-date=2023-07-04 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Air Force One Pavilion==
[[File:Collage of the Air Force One Pavillion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.jpg|alt=A metal-trussed hangar with a glass front and a shiny floor holds a large jet emblazoned with "United States of America" and other artifacts.|thumb|[[Air Force One]] Pavilion collage]]

A {{convert|90000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} exhibit hangar serves as the setting for the permanent display of [[Air Force One]] during Reagan's administration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reaganfoundation.org/airforceone/ |title=Air Force One Pavilion |access-date=November 23, 2007 |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120103330/http://www.reaganfoundation.org/airforceone/ |archive-date=November 20, 2007}}</ref> The aircraft, [[SAM 27000]], was also used by six other presidents in its active service life from 1973 until 2001, including [[Richard Nixon]] during his second term, [[Gerald Ford]], [[Jimmy Carter]], [[George H. W. Bush]], [[Bill Clinton]], and [[George W. Bush]].<ref name="facts and stats">{{cite web |url=http://www.reaganfoundation.org/airforceone/facts_stats.asp |title=Facts and Stats |access-date=November 23, 2007 |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107110720/http://www.reaganfoundation.org/airforceone/facts_stats.asp |archive-date=November 7, 2007}}</ref> In 1990, it became a backup aircraft after the [[Boeing 747]]s entered into service and was retired in 2001.<ref name="facts and stats"/> The aircraft was flown to [[San Bernardino International Airport]] in September 2001, where it was presented to the Reagan Foundation. In what was known as Operation Homeward Bound, [[Boeing]], the plane's manufacturer, disassembled the plane and transported it to the library in pieces.<ref name="boeing">{{cite press release |title=Reagan Air Force One Moves to Presidential Library |publisher=[[Boeing]] |date=June 20, 2003 |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/feature/reagan707/news_release1.html |access-date=December 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213015615/http://www.boeing.com/news/feature/reagan707/news_release1.html |archive-date=December 13, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> After the construction of the foundation of the pavilion itself, the plane was reassembled and restored to museum quality,<ref name="boeing"/> as well as raised onto pedestals {{convert|25|ft|m}} above ground.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Journey of Air Force One |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation |url=http://www.reaganlibrary.com/airforceone/dtc_home.asp?pageid=4&gid=10 |access-date=December 3, 2007 |page=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822181751/http://www.reaganlibrary.com/airforceone/dtc_home.asp?pageid=4&gid=10 |archive-date=August 22, 2007}}</ref> The pavilion was dedicated on October 24, 2005, by Nancy Reagan, President George W. Bush and First Lady [[Laura Bush]].<ref>{{cite speech |title=President Participates in Opening Ceremony for Air Force One Pavilion |first=George W. |last=Bush |author-link=George W. Bush |date=October 21, 2005 |location=Simi Valley, California |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/10/20051021-2.html |access-date=November 23, 2007}}</ref>

SAM 27000 is part of a comprehensive display about presidential travel that also includes a [[Sikorsky VH-3 Sea King]] during [[Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency]], call sign [[Marine One]],<ref name="permanent galleries">{{cite web |url=http://www.reaganfoundation.org/airforceone/dtc_home.asp?gid=7 |title=Permanent Galleries |access-date=November 23, 2007 |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121034112/http://www.reaganfoundation.org/airforceone/dtc_home.asp?gid=7 |archive-date=November 21, 2007}}</ref> and a presidential motorcade—Reagan's 1984 presidential parade limousine, a 1982 [[Los Angeles Police Department]] police car (as well as two 1980s police motorcycles), and a 1986 Secret Service vehicle used in one of President Reagan's motorcades in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reaganfoundation.org/airforceone/dtc_home.asp?gid=7&sgid=66 |title=Permanent Galleries: Presidential Motorcade |access-date=November 23, 2007 |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814023803/http://www.reaganfoundation.org/airforceone/dtc_home.asp?gid=7&sgid=66 |archive-date=August 14, 2007}}</ref> The pavilion is also home to the original O'Farrell's pub from [[Ballyporeen]] in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] that Ronald and Nancy Reagan visited in June 1984, now called the "Ronald Reagan Pub".<ref name="permanent galleries"/> Also featured are exhibits on the [[Cold War]] and Reagan's extensive travels aboard Air Force One.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

On June 9, 2008, U.S. secretary of education [[Margaret Spellings]] joined Nancy Reagan to dedicate the Reagan Library Discovery Center, located in the Air Force One Pavilion. The center is an interactive youth exhibit in which fifth through eighth grade students participate in role-playing exercises based on events of the Reagan administration.<ref name="education">{{cite news |newspaper=[[Ventura County Star]] |access-date=June 15, 2008 |date=June 9, 2008 |url=http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jun/09/unmatched-creativity-at-reagan-library-students/ |title='Unmatched Creativity' at Reagan Library's Discovery Center |last=Carlson |first=Cheri |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610090634/http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jun/09/unmatched-creativity-at-reagan-library-students/ |archive-date=June 10, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

==Center for Public Affairs==
On May 23, 2007, U.S. secretary of state [[Condoleezza Rice]] and Australian foreign minister [[Alexander Downer]] held a brief private talk and a press conference.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jill |last=Serjeant |title=Rice, Australian Minister Evoke Reagan in Iraq Talk |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2344413120070523 |publisher=Reuters |date=May 23, 2007 |access-date=November 23, 2007}}</ref> On July 17, 2007, Polish president [[Lech Kaczyński]] presented Poland's highest distinction, [[Order of the White Eagle (Poland)|the Order of the White Eagle]], to Nancy Reagan on behalf of her husband.<ref name="eagle">{{cite news |url=http://www.simivalleyacorn.com/news/2007-07-27/community/012.html |title=Rare Visit from Polish President Draws Far-Off Visitors to Simi |first=Robin |last=Nasby |access-date=October 14, 2011 |date=July 27, 2007 |work=Simi Valley Acorn }}</ref>

==Funeral of Ronald Reagan==
{{Main|Death and state funeral of Ronald Reagan}}
[[File:US Navy 040607-N-1450G-070 Mourners pay their respects to former President Ronald Reagan as his casket lays in repose in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.jpg|alt=A casket draped with the stripes of the American flag and guarded by military personnel representing each of the five services, as the public files by in single file.|thumb|right|Reagan's casket lies in repose in the library lobby, June 7, 2004]]
[[File:Grabmal von Ronald und Nancy Reagan.jpg|alt=A paneled, marble wall decorated with a seal and some inscribed words. A plaque with name and dates rests on the shiny marble floor.|thumb|The gravesite of Ronald and Nancy Reagan]]

Following [[Death and state funeral of Ronald Reagan|his death]], Reagan's casket was driven by hearse to the Reagan Library on June 7, 2004, from [[Naval Base Ventura County|Point Mugu]] through a {{convert|25|mph|km/h|adj=on}} procession down Las Posas Road to [[U.S. Route 101 in California|U.S. Highway&nbsp;101]]. Many people lined the streets and freeway overpasses to pay final respects. A memorial service was held in the library lobby with Nancy Reagan, Reagan's children, close relatives, and friends. The Reverend Dr. Michael Wenning officiated at the service.

From June 7 to 9, Reagan's casket lay in repose in the library lobby, where approximately 105,000&nbsp;people viewed the casket to pay their respects.<ref>{{cite news |title=Transcripts: American Morning |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0406/10/ltm.04.html |date=June 10, 2004 |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=October 14, 2011}}</ref> After the national funeral service was held in Washington, D.C., Reagan's casket was brought back to the library for a last memorial service and interment.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

Construction plans for the library included a tomb for the eventual use of Reagan and his wife. Following a sunset service on the library grounds the previous evening, early on the morning of June 12, Reagan was laid to rest in the underground vault.<ref name="suhor">{{cite web | url=http://www.suhor.com/si_news/reagan.htm| title=Burial of a President: A Behind the Scenes Diary |first=Dennis |last=Welzenbach |date=June 7, 2004 |publisher=Suhor Industries |access-date=October 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901031428/http://www.suhor.com/si_news/reagan.htm |archive-date=September 1, 2012 }}</ref>

Nancy Reagan died on March 6, 2016. After her funeral, she was buried next to her husband at the library on March 11.<ref name="lat-2016mar06">{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-nancy-reagan-visitors-pay-their-respects-at-presidential-library-in-simi-valley-20160306-story.html |title=Nancy Reagan: Visitors pay their respects at the presidential library in Simi Valley |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=March 6, 2016 |first=Abby |last=Sewell}}</ref>

==Republican primary debates==
On May 3, 2007, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Nancy Reagan hosted the first [[2008 Republican primary]] debate in the library's Air Force One Pavilion. During the debate, candidates made at least 20 references to Ronald Reagan and his presidency.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 4, 2007 |last1=Nagourney |first1=Adam |first2=Marc |last2=Santora |name-list-style=amp |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07EFDB113EF937A35756C0A9619C8B63&scp=14&sq=reagan+library+debate&st=nyt |title=Republicans Differ on Defining Party's Future |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=October 14, 2011}}</ref> On January 30, 2008, the library was the scene of the final debate, once again hosted by the Reagan Foundation and Mrs. Reagan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Romney Blasts McCain over Iraq War Charge |url=http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/30/romney-mccain-out-of-step-with-conservative-mainstream/ |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=[[Fox News]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |date=January 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011144614/http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/30/romney-mccain-out-of-step-with-conservative-mainstream/ |archive-date=2008-10-11 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=June 2023}}

The library announced that it would once again host the first Republican primary debate among [[2012 Republican Party presidential primaries|2012 Republican]] candidates, initially scheduled for May 2, 2011,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/11/nancy-reagan-2012-presidential-debate-ronald-reagan-library/1 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |first=Catalina |last=Camia |title=Nancy Reagan to Host Debate for 2012 GOP Hopefuls |date=November 11, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204021217/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/11/nancy-reagan-2012-presidential-debate-ronald-reagan-library/1 | archive-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref> but later postponed it until after other debates.<ref name=CBSdebate2012>{{cite news | first=Robert | last=Hendin | work=CBS News | date=March 30, 2011| title=First Republican presidential debate postponed | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/first-republican-presidential-debate-postponed/ }}</ref> The debate was co-hosted by [[NBC News]] and [[Politico (newspaper)|Politico]]. The debate took place on September 7, 2011.<ref name=NYTtranscript11>{{cite news | title=The Republican Debate at the Reagan Library | work=New York Times | date=September 7, 2011 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/08/us/politics/08republican-debate-text.html }}</ref>

In September 2015, the library hosted the second [[2016 Republican Party presidential debates and forums|2016 Republican]] presidential debate, which was run by [[CNN]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/rnc-2016-debate-schedule-114329.html |title=2016 Presidential Debate Schedule: Republican Party rolls out dates |work=[[Politico]] |first1=James |last1=Hohmann |first2=Alex |last2=Isenstadt |name-list-style=amp |date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> The second debate of the [[2024 Republican Party presidential debates and forums|2024 Republican presidential primaries]] was held on September 27, 2023 at the library.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isenstadt |first=Alex |date=2023-08-01 |title=Revealed: The criteria and date for the second Republican primary debate|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/01/second-republican-primary-debate-criteria-00109284 |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=[[Politico]]|language=en}}</ref>

==Centennial and library renovation==
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and [[General Electric]] (GE) announced a partnership beginning March 17, 2010, to support the two-year-long celebration of Reagan's 100th birthday on February 6, 2011. GE, for whom Reagan hosted ''General Electric Theater'' and served as a goodwill ambassador from 1954 to 1962, prior to being elected governor of California, served as the Presenting Sponsor of the historic Reagan Centennial Celebration.<ref name="GE">{{cite press release |title=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Announces GE as Presenting Sponsor of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration |url=http://www.genewscenter.com/Press-Releases/Ronald-Reagan-Presidential-Foundation-Announces-GE-as-Presenting-Sponsor-of-the-Ronald-Reagan-Centennial-Celebration-26a0.aspx |date=March 17, 2010 |publisher=[[General Electric]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926115245/http://www.genewscenter.com/Press-Releases/Ronald-Reagan-Presidential-Foundation-Announces-GE-as-Presenting-Sponsor-of-the-Ronald-Reagan-Centennial-Celebration-26a0.aspx |archive-date=September 26, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The Reagan Centennial was also being led by the National Youth Leadership Committee. Notable members of the Committee include chairpersons [[Nick Jonas]], [[Jordin Sparks]] and [[Austin Dillon]], as well as famous non-chairpersons, including actress [[Anna Maria Perez de Tagle]], Olympic bronze medalist [[Bryon Wilson]], Olympian and X-Games medalist [[Hannah Teter]], and recording artist [[Jordan Pruitt]]. Several other Olympians and athletes are also members of the committee.<ref name="youth">{{cite news |title=Ronald Reagan Centennial Includes Youth Leadership |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/08/ronald-reagan-centennial-includes-youth-leadership/1 |date=August 3, 2010 |first=David |last=Jackson |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=October 14, 2011}}</ref>

==2023 Tsai–McCarthy meeting==
{{Further|Taiwan-United States relations|China–United States relations}}
[[File:Kevin McCarthy met with Tsai Ing-wen at the Reagan Library.jpg|thumb|Tsai and McCarthy at the library, 2023]]

On April 5, 2023, Taiwanese president [[Tsai Ing-wen]] and U.S. House speaker [[Kevin McCarthy]] met at the library. The meeting was significant as it marked the first time a Taiwanese president had met with a U.S. House Speaker on American soil. It was also significant as it was the second time in less than a year that a Taiwanese president had met with a U.S. House speaker since Tsai met with then-speaker [[Nancy Pelosi]] in Taipei in August 2022.<ref name="MarchApril2023US">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/05/politics/tsai-ing-wen-taiwan-meeting-mccarthy-california-hnk/index.html|title=McCarthy welcomes Taiwan President to bipartisan meeting, optimistic US and Taiwan can promote 'democracy, peace and stability'|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=5 April 2023}}</ref> In response to the meeting, the [[Foreign Ministry of China]] imposed sanctions on the Reagan Library.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-07 |title=China sanctions Reagan library, others over Tsai's US trip |url=https://apnews.com/article/china-sanctions-taiwan-us-dc6e2a198f3777dceca272e1d3395f2b |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=[[Associated Press]] |language=en}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==See also==
{{Portal|California}}
*[[Mount McCoy (Simi Valley)|Mount McCoy]]
* [[Presidential Records Act]]
* [[Presidential memorials in the United States]]
* [[List of burial places of presidents and vice presidents of the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|https://reaganlibrary.gov/}}
*[http://www.reaganlibrary.org/ The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library]
*[http://www.reagancentennial.org/ The Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration]
*[http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/22610-1 Video of the dedication of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 1991]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qun6HLLYqUY Video of the Gravesite of Ronald Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_Kc0TLXs58 Video of the Replica of the Oval Office at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library]
*[https://www.archives.gov/ U.S. National Archives and Records Administration]

{{Ronald Reagan|state=expanded}}
{{Nancy Reagan}}
{{Simi Valley, California}}
{{US presidential libraries}}{{Authority control}}
{{good article}}

[[Category:Library buildings completed in 1991]]
[[Category:American entities subject to Chinese sanctions]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials to Ronald Reagan]]
[[Category:Museums in Ventura County, California]]
[[Category:Presidential libraries|Reagan, Ronald]]
[[Category:Presidential museums in the United States]]
[[Category:Biographical museums in California]]
[[Category:Culture of Simi Valley, California]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Simi Valley, California]]
[[Category:Libraries in Ventura County, California]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Tombs of presidents of the United States]]
[[Category:Cemeteries in Ventura County, California]]