Feature: Historic Attractions of tour options such as: Taste of the 18th
ford House at bradfordhouse@verizon.net or
Century Tours, sampling period-appropriate
(724) 222-3604.
terms as President of the United States in
treats; Scents of the 18th Century Tours, making potpourri sachets; Wine Sampling
Reagan was elected to the first of two
1981. Local friends and supporters formed
Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home
the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home Preser-
Dixon, Illinois
vation Foundation in the early 1980s to
Tours, partnering with local wineries; Whiskey Sampling Tours, partnering with
"All of us have a place to go back to;
purchase and preserve the house on Hen-
local distilleries; and Historic Tours, pro-
Dixon is that place for me," Ronald Reagan
nepin Avenue. It was added to the National
moting the history and heritage of the David
once said of his childhood home. Born in
Register of Historic Places in 1982, as the
Bradford House.
1911 in Tampico, Illinois, Reagan spent his
group restored it to its 1920’s appearance
In addition, tours can be built to accom-
formative years in Dixon, from
modate your specific needs. The Bradford
age nine through high school
House is available for guided tours seven
graduation. The family lived in
days a week, except major holidays. Motor-
five different rental homes in
coach drivers may drop guests off at the front
Dixon (the current executive
door; large groups are typically broken into
director of Reagan Boyhood
three smaller groups. Parking is free, but
Home, Patrick Gorman, grew up
phone for details about available options.
in the second of the five.), but the
There are several restaurants that can
house on Hennepin is the one
accommodate groups within walking dis-
Reagan and his older brother Neil
tance. Bradford House works together with
remembered best. It is the only
local restaurants, hotels and attractions to
Dixon home mentioned in Rea-
create the best possible experience for your
gan’s
group. To schedule a tour, contact the Brad-
Where’s the Rest of Me?
12 • Bus Tours Magazine / July, 2018
1965
autobiography,
Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home