As we headed north we made a stop for a few days near College Station, Texas, home to Texas A&M University and the George H.W. Bush Library and Museum. It was a college football weekend so we were surrounded in the RV park by Aggies. We planned our visit to the Library, which is on the university campus, so that we would not be there on game day.
We'd visited before as one of our favorite places to visit is presidential libraries and gravesites. But, unfortunately for us yet fortunate for the Bushes, they were still living when we last visited so the gravesite had not been built. So we felt it was important to make another visit and pay our respects.
Before we went inside, we took a walk to the back of the museum to see the gravesite.
Across the bridge....
And there it was.
Many might not know about Pauline Robinson Bush, known as Robin Bush, who was the second child and oldest daughter of George and Barbara Bush. After she was born in California, the family soon relocated to Texas, where Robin lived most of her life.
At the age of 3, Robin was diagnosed with advanced leukemia. As she was given very little time to live, her parents flew her to New York City for treatment, where she spent six months. Despite doctor's efforts, she died two months before her fourth birthday. Her death prompted them to establish a foundation for leukemia research.
The gravesite, as well as the surrounding area, is beautiful. So peaceful and relaxing.
After spending a few quiet moments there, we headed back to the Library.
George Bush School of Government and Public Service in the background
The President and First Lady kept an apartment on the top floor of the School and we learned some interesting tidbits.
The First Lady used to walk the dogs around the plaza in the mornings, often in her sweat pants or other comfortable clothes. One day she was out walking, fortunately not in that type of attire, and came across a bridal party taking pictures on the campus. Barbara went up to the couple to congratulate them and ended up joining the party for pictures. What fun to have the First Lady in your wedding photos!
At times the President would go outside before the Library opened and on occasion would go to the side door, which was also the emergency exit, and knock on the door. When a library employee would come to the door, President Bush would ask to gain entrance so that he could go through the library when visitors were not in attendance. I guess if you're the President and it's your library you can do whatever you want!
We went inside to view some of the artifacts.
You will see more about this later
Handsome guy!
Time to get married. Barbara Bush stated: "George's return date kept being put off. We eventually scratched out December 17....and wrote in January 6."
After many years of public service, including Vice President of the United States, it was time to run for the presidency.
Most of the details about the President's limo are classified, which makes sense since all work done on the cars is supervised by the Secret Service and no one without the proper credentials can get too close to it. All ground services involving the limousine are arranged by the U.S. Army.
Still, it is known that the limo, affectionately nicknamed "The Beast", has bullet proof windows as thick as telephone books, and bullet proof tires - if they're shot at there are wheel inserts which keep the limo driving. There is a remote starter with a bomb detector, a self-healing fuel tank, a supplemental supply of oxygen, and layers of Kevlar under the car's sheet metal from top to bottom.
One of the most interesting displays in a Presidential Library is the recreation of the Oval Office.
The "real" Oval Office
The recreated office
The C&O desk is one of six desks ever used in the Oval Office by a sitting President. The C&O desk was used in the executive office by only George H.W. Bush, making it one of two desks to be used by only one president there (the other was used by Lyndon Johnson). Prior to its use in the Oval Office by President Bush, the desk had been in use elsewhere in the White House. It is the shortest-serving Oval Office desk to date, having been used for one four-year term.
A docent pointed out a few very interesting items.
The copy of the mitt we saw above inside the drawer as the President kept it.
The phone on the desk is a reproduction rather than the original. But the one inside the drawer is an original. It was a phone that the President could use to make secure calls.
You can see it in the portrait below which is displayed in the Library lobby.
It's always interesting to see original fashion from First Ladies. Many of those are housed in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. but there were a few of Barbara Bush's here.
This gown was worn by Barbara Bush in the President's Dinner in Washington, D.C. on June 12, 1990. It was designed by Arnold Scaasi.
The Berlin Wall, erected in August 1961, was a symbol of fear and oppression. It separated a city and a nation until freedom of movement was restored on November 9, 1989. This segment of the barrier was presented to the Library on behalf of the people of the reunited city of Berlin.
"The quest for freedom is stronger than steel, more permanent than concrete."
George Bush, November 11, 1989
One of the most enjoyable parts of the day was sitting in a small area where we could learn more about the Bushes. What a delightful couple with quite a sense of humor. They were often guests on late night television and we loved seeing some clips.
Looks like a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteThe burial site is very serene.
DeleteI was not a fan of George HW when he was president, but as the years have gone by I've learned to admire him as a decent human being.
ReplyDeleteHe and Barbara had quite a sense of humor!
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