I traveled to Texas for work and my history nerd side was in full force during the visit. Texas has so much history that is unique to other American states. When I was not working my day job, I traveled to a few historical sites. My last stop, the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library, is worth the visit.
This is the last of my 4 part series on my Texas visit. I have already published blogs on my visit to the G.W. Bush Presidential Center, the site where President Kennedy was killed, and my trip to San Antonio to see the Alamo. This blog is on my last stop to the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library in Austin, Texas.
I drove up to Austin after seeing the Alamo in San Antonio. Lyndon Johnson’s Presidential Library is in downtown Austin. I found it relatively easy to get to off the highway.
As I entered, there is a replica of Lyndon Johnson’s Presidential limousine that I thought was cool. I am normally not a fan of replicas. I want the real thing, but the limousine was cool since it was a 1960s version.
Lyndon Johnson died in 1972, so he was alive only 4 years into his post-presidency. His wife, who was an historical figure in her own right, died in 2007. She worked in the library up until her death. The library is a reflection of her as much as her husband. There is a large section just on Lady Bird Johnson that had many of her clothing that she wore during the most historical events of her husband’s presidency.
As the G.W. Bush library, Lyndon Johnson’s library has sections divided by domestic issues and foreign policy. The domestic section mainly highlighted the passage of The Great Society social programs, and his advancing of civil rights with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which helped bring an official end to segregation in the South. The early years of LBJ’s President were among the most successful, in terms of passing legislation, in history.
Things would change later in LBJ’s Presidency as he gets bogged down in Vietnam. I was impressed with the LBJ Library in one pivotal way, as a veteran, I believe the choices Presidents make can determine the safety and lives of military members. George Bush completely ignored the Iraq war in his library. Johnson did not ignore Vietnam.
Since Lady Bird Johnson outlived her husband by over 30 years, I am not sure if the Vietnam section, which does not make LBJ look too favorable, was added in hindsight after the war a disaster and reflects poorly in a historical context.
Most Presidential libraries are set up by the President when they leave office. The tend to not want to admit mistakes, which makes Presidential libraries great to see, but you have to keep in mind, they are more propaganda to their time in office. G.W. Bush’s was definitely that way, however, it is more recent history than LBJs, who served in the 60s with lots of history after his Presidency to go off of.
The Vietnam section had LBJs order of the lottery system of the draft. It included the lives lost and had a section of injured Soldiers. It also showed some of the poor decision making that went into the decision on Vietnam.
The last spot I went to was the 4th floor, which had the replica LBJ Oval Office and the office Lady Bird Johnson worked in until her death in 2007. The replica Oval Office was really cool. Unlike the G.W. Bush Library where you could walk into the replica Oval Office, LBJs has small section where you can photograph and listen to a description of what the items where used for by LBJ.
It was not very crowded the day I was there, so I stood in the replica Oval for about 15 minutes taking it all in. I took some video while I was inside.
My last stop was the office of Lady Bird Johnson. She worked in the LBJ Presidential Library during most of the remaining years of her life. Her office is not a replica and the actual office she worked in. They preserved it really well. They even left her sweater on the back of her chair. The office looks very 1970s, so I am not sure of she kept it like that all the way up until 2007.
Overall, my trip to Texas was a productive one. I am impressed with the LBJ Presidential Library and think it is more honest, regarding his Presidency, than most. It also devotes time to his wife, Lady Bird Johnson, who is a historical figure in he own right. I highly recommend checking out the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library if you are in the Austin, Texas area. I will provide a link to the library.
