SUMMER 2026
The Spirit of '76: Celebrating America at 250
‘‘ Any American can be a signer of the Declaration of Independence… ...We write our names with the lives we live.”
— PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON, JULY 3, 1971
From the Chairman
This summer marks a historic milestone as we celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, leading to the creation of the oldest written constitution still in effect today.
As we plan our summer celebrations, and I hope you do plan to celebrate big in the all-American tradition of fireworks, parades, and barbecues, I urge you to also take time to reflect on the unique history of this nation. When the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence put their names to parchment on that hot summer day in Philadelphia, they took a risk for an idea that was far from guaranteed. Yet, through two and a half centuries of twists and turns, triumphs and trials, the idea of freedom and self-governance has endured.
The special exhibit, America 250: A More Perfect Union, open at the Nixon Library through the end of 2026, lets you relive those triumphs and trials of American history as you encounter rare artifacts and interact with key milestones. As the semiquincentennial celebration continues, check out one of the many programming opportunities from the Nixon Foundation, in person or virtually, featuring book talks, historic reenactors, concerts, and more.
The Nixon Library is the perfect place to celebrate America, because only in America can a boy from humble beginnings, who faced great challenges but never gave up, rise to become the leader of the free world. In his book, Real Peace, President Nixon left us with a charge: "The history of the world is a narrative of man's struggle to become free and remain free. Freedom has not come cheaply, and keeping it is not easy. We hold a responsibility to the future unique to our time and place. Nothing that today's generation can leave for tomorrow's will mean more than the heritage of liberty."
Through the educational programming of the Nixon Civics Academy, signature annual events including the Grand Strategy Summit, Nixon National Cancer Conference, and Pat Nixon Day of Service, and platforms of debate and discovery, including the Shaun and Leland Smith Distinguished Speaker Series, the Nixon Foundation is extending that heritage of liberty for the next 250 years. We hope you’ll continue to be a part of it.
Happy birthday America,
ROBERT C. O’BRIEN, CHAIRMAN
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert C. O’Brien, Chairman
Charlie Zhang, Treasurer
John H. Carley
Christopher Nixon Cox
Tricia Nixon Cox
Steven L. Craig
Julie Nixon Eisenhower
Melanie Eisenhower
Hugh Hewitt
Lawrence M. Higby
Ming Hsieh
Blake Kernen
Bobbie Greene Kilberg
William Kilberg
Marlene Malek
James Mazzo
Maureen Drown Nunn
Matt Parlow
John Rakolta, Jr.
Geoff Shepard J. Peter Simon
David Tukey
DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Everett Alvarez, Jr.
George L. Argyros
James H. Cavanaugh
Barbara Hackman Franklin
Gavin S. Herbert, Sr.
Tod R. Hullin
Kenneth L. Khachigian
Richard (Sandy) Quinn
Ronald H. Walker
Pete Wilson
James Byron, President & CEO
Carrie Anderson, Editor
Joe Lopez, Executive Editor
On the cover: The Spirit of ‘76; by Archibald Willard; c. 1876; painting. President Nixon selected the theme “The Spirit of ‘76” for his second inauguration in January 1973. The Inaugural Book published by the 1973 Inaugural Committee in commemoration of the event, featured the Willard painting.
UPCOMING EVENTSUPCOMING EVENTS
Independence Day weekend events • July 3-5
(see next page for more details)
Celebrate America’s milestone birthday all weekend long!
SEPTEMBER 11
25th anniversary of September 11th
STARTING THIS SUMMER!
Sunrise Yoga Series
Select Saturdays from June - October
Start your day in our beautiful Pat Nixon garden for a wonderfully zen yoga class with seasoned instructor Suzanne LaRoque. Coffee cart available after class. Register and see dates at nixonfoundation.org.
Nixon Summer Nights Series
June - August
Experience the soundtrack of America with this summer concert series featuring five evenings.
SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 1
Grand Strategy Summit Washington, DC
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, the Richard Nixon Foundation's 2026 Grand Strategy Summit will convene global leaders in diplomacy, business, and national security to examine the policy decisions shaping America's future. The Summit draws inspiration from Richard Nixon's vision for American leadership in the post-Cold War world.
NOVEMBER 11
Veterans Day
Join us for Orange County's annual September 11th observance, this year marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, to remember the lives lost, honor the first responders and heroes of that day, and reflect on the enduring spirit of unity that emerged in its aftermath. Visit nixonfoundation.org/events
Honor those who have served at the Nixon Library's Veterans Day commemoration. All veterans will receive free museum admission throughout the day in recognition of their service and sacrifice.
more!
Join us for a weekend
JULY 3 - JULY 4 - JULY 5
It’s time to celebrate 250 years of Red, White, and Blue!
Gather your family and join us at the Nixon Library for a jam-packed day of All-American fun!
July 3 starting at 10:00 AM
• Revolutionary War skirmishes and living history reenactments during the course of the day
• Meet six presidential reenactors throughout the day: George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower
• Community meet-and-greets with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, Orange County Fire Authority, and Waste Management including booths and service vehicles
• Family-friendly petting zoo featuring 25+ animals
• 75+ incredible artifacts as part of our special exhibition, America 250: A More Perfect Union
July 4 • 10:00 AM
Start your day with donuts and coffee with the presidents at 10:00 AM! Join George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and James Madison as they share history of our great nation. Discounted admission for America 250
July 3 starting at 5:00 PM
• 70-car club showcase featuring classic American cars
• Military swearing-in ceremonies honoring service and civic commitment
• Special flyover by the Tiger Squadron
• Live music in the Pat Nixon Gardens featuring Bubba and The Big Bad Blues and Heartland Country
• A sparkling display of fireworks
July 5 • 11:00 AM
At 11:00 AM keep the patriotic spirit up with a special performance from the Huntington Beach Concert Band in the Nixon Library’s White House East Room Replica. With a special appearance by George Washington!
A Nixon Library Special Exhibit Now on view through 2026
“Those who led America’s Revolution spoke to their time, and to all time… they captured an ideal, and gave it life.”
– PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON
For two and a half centuries, an audacious experiment in self-government has been carried forward by its people. Step inside the story of a nation forged from a shared belief in liberty.
Through vivid displays, rare historic artifacts, and engaging interactive experiences, visitors will embark on a journey through the most transformative events in American history.
Witness transformative moments in American history
• Join the Boston Tea Party and toss tea into the harbor
• Strike gold at Sutter’s Mill in the California Gold Rush
• Test Edison’s inventions inside his laboratory
• See how the World Wars redefined America’s role
• Witness Nixon’s famed “Kitchen Debate” of the Cold War
• Stroll Main Street America at the 1976 Bicentennial
View a rare collection of artifacts - together for the first time
Declaration of Independence
A rare 1820 William J. Stone engraving — one of just 32 known to survive.
Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington c. 1796–1800
• General Eisenhower’s West Point sword
• A wing-cloth fragment from the 1903 Wright Flyer
President Lincoln's note to General Grant
Handwritten on the verge of Union victory, Feb. 1, 1865.
— Plus —
• Edison’s first patented lightbulb
• Mickey Mantle’s hat
• Louis Armstrong’s trumpet
Discover the moments that defined a nation!
America 250 Ringer T-Shirt
Celebrate America's milestone birthday all summer long in this classic casual t-shirt with navy ribbing around the collar and sleeves. $34.95
Paul Revere Quarter-Zip
Inspired by Paul Revere's historic ride, this ultra-soft quarter zip celebrates 250 years of America. $39.95
Liberty 250 Crew Tee
Inspired by our America 250 Special Exhibit. Celebrate America's 250th birthday in this Crew Tee by Spirit Jersey.
$49.95 Available in Bayleaf or Blue
Celebrate America's 250th birthday in this crewneck sweatshirt by Spirit Jersey.
$59.95 Available in Blue or Chalk
America 250 Bucket Hat or Cap
Inspired by our America 250 Special Exhibit – celebrate America's 250th birthday in this embroidered bucket hat or embroidered corduroy cap. $34.95 ea.
The Nixon Civics Academy:
Teaching the fundamentals of America, from elementary to undergraduate
The Richard Nixon Foundation has launched the Nixon Civics Academy (NCA), an ambitious K–12 initiative designed to reverse a troubling national trend: civic illiteracy in America's youth. Only 22% of eighth graders are proficient in civics, and four out of five social studies teachers report lacking the training or tools to teach it confidently.
Rooted in President Nixon's belief that the future depends on what we teach young people, the NCA offers a pathway in civics education, with distinctive programs beginning in elementary school — starting early, when curiosity and civic identity first take shape.
Starting Early: The Gift of History
The civic journey begins in third grade with Gift of History, a program introducing students to local government. This past February, 450 students attended a live assembly at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, while the program was livestreamed to 250 schools across Orange County. Students participated in an interactive local history scavenger hunt, with guest speakers including the Superintendent of the Orange County Department of Education and Freddie Freeman, first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The program explores local culture and history while laying the groundwork for students to become engaged, active citizens.
Local third grade students participating in the 2026 Orange County Gift of History program.
Civics in Action: The National Civics Bee
At the middle school level, the NCA anchors its programming around the National Civics Bee®, a competition that challenges students to demonstrate civic knowledge and propose real solutions to community problems. At the April regional competition hosted at the Nixon Library, the top twenty student proposals were selected to compete live, with finalists presenting their community improvement ideas to a panel of local civic leaders and fielding questions about funding, partnerships, and execution.
The 2026 regional winner, sixth grader Logan Thielen of Brea, will advance to the state finals and potentially the national championship in Washington, D.C.
Preparing Engaged Citizens: Hands-on
Honors Civics
A group of high school students completed the inaugural year of a Honors Civics Course through Yorba Linda High School. This one-of-a-kind course is a partnership between the Richard Nixon Foundation and Placentia- Yorba Linda Unified School District and taught at the Nixon Library.
These students had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on May 6th, when they joined Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch for an exclusive learning session.
From constitutional law to career advice, these students walked away with insights that no textbook could provide.
Washington, D.C. Student Immersion:
Leading business students through an understanding of American governance
College students participate in the annual Grand Strategy Summit, the Foundation's flagship foreign policy conference. In addition to attending the conference, students visit Washington, D.C.'s historic landmarks, engage with elected officials, and explore the institutions at the center of American democracy. This year's Summit takes place September 30–October 1.
Undergraduate students experiencing the Grand Strategy Summit's Washington, D.C. Student Immersion.
High Schoolers participating in a learning session with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.
Middle Schoolers showcasing their civics knowledge in the 2026 National Civics Bee®
Nixon Foundation Honors Pat Nixon’s Legacy with Annual Day of Service on Her 114th Birthday
The Nixon Library welcomed a full house on March 16 as the Nixon Foundation hosted its annual Pat Nixon Day of Service, commemorating the birthday of First Lady Pat Nixon.
The event began at the memorial sites of the President and First Lady with a wreath-laying ceremony honoring Mrs. Nixon’s life and legacy. Local Girl Scouts presented the colors and laid the wreath. Participants included Tamara Martin, Director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum; Joe Lopez, Acting President and CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation; Vikki Shepp, CEO of Girl Scouts; and Janean Dimpel of Town and Gown of USC.
Following the ceremony, guests gathered in the East Room for birthday cake and a special program featuring a historical portrayal of Mrs. Nixon by Nixon Foundation Board Member and family friend Maureen Nunn.
A community service fair featuring nearly 30 booths was held throughout the day, highlighting organizations Mrs. Nixon championed during her decades of public service, including 4-H, the American Cancer Society, the American Legion, the American Red Cross, Girl Scouts of the USA, and Town and Gown of USC.
This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Crean Foundation.
LEGACY REVISITED: Iran's Future Explored in Symposium
The Richard Nixon Foundation, in partnership with the Persian American Civic Action Network (PACAN), hosted a luncheon symposium on April 22, 2026, in the Nixon Library's White House East Room, bringing together historians, policy experts, and distinguished guests to examine the legacy of the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the geopolitical stakes of Iran's uncertain future.
The event brought together Princess Noor Pahlavi, granddaughter of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and Christopher Nixon Cox, grandson of President Richard Nixon, for a conversation moderated by Frank Gannon, special assistant to President Nixon.
Princess Noor reflected on the relationship between President Nixon and the Shah, expressing particular gratitude for President Nixon's attendance at the Shah's funeral. She spoke movingly about the enduring vitality of Iranian cultural identity, expressed hope that diaspora Iranians would one day return to help rebuild their country, and offered an optimistic vision for what lies ahead: "I think there is only light ahead after all of this darkness."
Christopher Nixon Cox described the Shah as a great ally of the United States, the West, and friendly nations across the Middle East, and lamented that the Shah's commitment to modernizing Iran has been lost to history. He expressed hope that the historical record will be corrected.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee delivered an on-the-ground video message from Israel, offering a firsthand diplomatic perspective on the region's shifting dynamics. He reflected on President Nixon's remarkable foresight in understanding world affairs.
Princess Noor Pahlavi, Christopher Nixon Cox and Frank Gannon (left to right) reflecting on the relationship between President Nixon and the Shah.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee delivering an on-the-ground video message recorded from Israel for this event.
Moderated by Zohreh Mizrahi, CEO of PACAN, a panel discussion featured Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran Program Senior Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies; Dr. Jerrold D. Green, Senior Fellow at the UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations; and Kimberly A. Reed, Former Chairman, President & CEO of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
Nearly half a century after the 1979 revolution, the panel convened to take a hard look at what those years have meant for Iran, for the Middle East, and for the United States. Reflecting the present moment, Mizrahi noted that Iranian civilians had taken to the streets beginning in December, driven by hyperinflation, currency collapse, and deep resentment toward a regime that, as President Nixon himself once said, is a mob, that has ruled Iran for forty-seven years.
The conversation broadened into the intersection of economic and security policy. Kimberly Reed traced the formal integration of these two spheres to the post-9/11 era, when Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill secured a seat for the Treasury Department on the National Security Council. Applied to Iran, she argued, economic pressure should be judged by whether it restrains capability, not merely changes rhetoric. She noted that Iran currently ranks 150 out of 164 countries on the Atlantic Council’s
freedom index, making clear that the fate of the Iranian people and the fate of the regime are two very different things — a distinction she urged policymakers to hold firmly. Behnam Ben Taleblu warned against settling for a military victory without also building the political conditions for lasting change. A regime left weakened but intact, he cautioned, would be too feeble to project power abroad yet still strong enough to kill unarmed protesters at home. He urged Washington to support the Iranian people directly, arguing that the only credible path to reduced regional entanglement runs through empowering Iranians. The day closed with a moment of quiet significance: Princess Noor laid a wreath at President Nixon's memorial site on the anniversary of his passing.
Left to right: Dr. Jerrold D. Green, Kimberly A. Reed, Behnam Ben Taleblu and Zohreh Mizrahi participating in a panel discussion.
Princess Noor Pahlavi laying a wreath at President Nixon's memorial site on the 32nd anniversary of his passing.
Cancer Initiative Partners with the Milken Institute to Look Ahead to Future Cancer Breakthroughs
For the fifth annual Nixon National Cancer Conference, the Richard Nixon Foundation and the Milken Institute partnered to co-host Cancer 2035: A Roadmap for the Future. The event coincided with the 55th anniversary of the National Cancer Act, landmark legislation signed by President Richard Nixon that set in motion decades of scientific and clinical progress.
Leaders across science, medicine, policy, technology, finance, government, and philanthropy gathered on February 23–24, 2026, at the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream in Washington, DC, to discuss what it will take—in research, technology, policy, financing, and care delivery—to dramatically reduce cancer mortality by 2035.
Featured speakers included Dr. Mehmet Oz, Representative Diana DeGette, Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Dr. Anthony Letai, Dr. James Allison, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, and Dr. William Li, as well as three former NIH directors—Dr. Elias Zerhouni, Dr. Francis Collins, and Dr. Monica Bertagnolli—along with many other leaders advancing cancer research, care, and prevention.
The conference featured fireside chats and panel discussions on: The Next Decade of Defeating Cancer: Visions for What’s Possible, Prevention, Early Detection, and Interception, Designing the Clinical Trial Infrastructure of the Future, Mobilizing the Full Ecosystem: The Next Generation of Public–Private Partnerships, Accelerating the Future of Oncology, and Technology as a Force Multiplier: Delivering Innovation at Scale.
Presentation of the 2026 Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach Award to Michael Milken. Left to right: Joe Lopez, then-Acting President & CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation; Melanie Eisenhower, Board Member of the Richard Nixon Foundation and granddaughter of President and Mrs. Nixon; Michael Milken, Chairman of the Milken Institute; and Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, former Commissioner of the FDA.
During the conference, the Richard Nixon Foundation presented the Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach Award to Michael Milken and the Legacy of Hope Award to Marlene Malek, recognizing their extraordinary leadership in the fight against cancer.
Both awards were presented by Melanie Eisenhower on behalf of the Nixon Foundation. Eisenhower—greatgranddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and granddaughter of President Richard Nixon—delivered remarks underscoring a central point: the modern national campaign against cancer began with President Nixon’s signing of the National Cancer Act of 1971.
The National Cancer Act was displayed throughout the event on loan from the National Archives—a powerful reminder of what coordinated national action can achieve.
Read the report featuring the seven priorities to chart the next era of cancer research and innovation:
Mark your calendars: The Nixon National Cancer Conference will return to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum on January 21, 2027
Read here
Scan to watch the conference here
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Founder of ImmunityBio, discussing the central role of coordinated innate and adaptive immune activation in cancer therapy in his talk “Winning the War Against Cancer: Harnessing the Power Within.”
Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in conversation with Michael Milken, Chairman of the Milken Institute.
A premier forum for discussion, debate and analysis
Michael Knowles • November 3
Dennis Prager’s If There Is No God, Featuring Joel Alperson • March 17
This event for Dennis Prager's latest release opened with an exclusive video message from Prager, followed by live remarks from Joel Alperson, who assisted in writing the book.
FOX News Host Shannon Bream • April 29
Piers Morgan • November 10
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik • April 23
The
the
from
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch • May 6
Joined by co-author
and
congresswoman shared
insider account
her book, Poisoned Ivies, with Sara Catalan, Executive Director of New Majority Orange County.
The Fox News Sunday host joined Pastor Greg Laurie to discuss her new book, Nothing Is Impossible with God , sharing eleven timeless stories of hope.
Janie Nitze, Justice Gorsuch discussed his children's book, Heroes of 1776, in conversation with moderator Matt Parlow, President of Chapman University. The authors emphasized the courage and sacrifice behind the Declaration of Independence
that ordinary people are capable of extraordinary things.
The Daily Wire Host made a case for President Nixon’s renewed relevance.
International broadcaster Piers Morgan discussed his new book, Woke is Dead, in conversation with radio host Jennifer Horn.
Dr. C. L. Max Nikias • May 11
USC President Emeritus Dr. Nikias, introduced by USC trustee Stephanie Argyros, discussed his memoir, American Trojan , sharing his journey from refugee to university president while offering recommendations for higher education to reclaim its mission.
Sheriff Chad Bianco • May 20
With the California primary weeks away, gubernatorial candidate and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco made his case to voters, outlining his platform for the Governor's office.
FOX News Chief Political Anchor Bret Baier • May 26
Bret Baier joined Dr. Luke Nichter, who holds the James H. Cavanaugh Endowed Chair in Presidential Studies at Chapman University, for a rich conversation on his newest book, The Case for America , that was part history lesson, part personal reflection, and part civic call to arms.
Navy SEAL Jack Carr • May 18
Fan favorite Jack Carr joined Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock to discuss his latest thriller, The Fourth Option , pulling back the curtain on a writing process he describes as "fiction with whispers of truth."
Historian Michael Auslin • May 27
The story of the Declaration of Independence has all the twists and turns of a page-turning novel as told in Auslin’s book National Treasure. In a conversation with Jim Byron, Auslin gave a glimpse of how the revered relic and supreme symbol of the American ideal has survived to inspire each generation.
Vice President Mike Pence • June 4
Attendees heard candid insights based on the experiences of the former Congressman, Governor, and Vice President, around the release of his new book, What Conservatives Believe . He shared reflections on the future of the Republican Party.
Community Events
NOVEMBER
11 Veterans Day
Two events honored those who have served: a patriotic concert by the Huntington Beach Concert Band, followed by a Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial sites of President and Mrs. Nixon, where two veterans, Master Sergeant Catherine Barrett and Command Sergeant Major Ron Cabrera, shared their stories of service and how they continue to support fellow veterans.
DECEMBER
9 Stars, Stripes & Christmas Lights
The Nixon Library's annual holiday candlelight evening had a patriotic twist with the theme Stars, Stripes & Christmas Lights. Guests enjoyed a ceremonial tree lighting, festive performances, candlelit garden strolls and visits with Santa — all set against a backdrop of red, white, and blue décor and shimmering holiday lights.
JANUARY
9 President Nixon’s Birthday Commemoration
The Nixon Foundation marked President Nixon's 113th birthday with a wreath laying ceremony featuring keynote remarks from veteran speechwriter Ken Khachigian, who drew on newly released archival materials and neverbefore-heard anecdotes to offer rare behind-the-scenes insights into Nixon's life.
FEBRUARY
9 Lunar New Year
A vibrant celebration filled with food, music, dancing and a cultural fair welcomed the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Horse under the theme of Perseverance and Prosperity.
FEBRUARY
16 Presidents’ Day
Visitors enjoyed an interactive history lesson as reenactors portraying George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Ulysses S. Grant shared stories from their presidencies and answered questions from the audience.
APRIL
9 Storytime with PragerU Kids and Thomas Edison
Young visitors traveled back in history with a Thomas Edison reenactor, discovering how curiosity and perseverance brought iconic inventions to life, followed by PragerU Kids' Jill Simonian leading story time featuring the Otto's Tales book series.
MAY
9 Living History with General Eisenhower
A General Eisenhower reenactor led young students in an interactive living history experience in the Nixon Library's White House Cabinet Room, where they heard stories of leadership and courage from World War II and the presidency — and even got to try on soldier gear.
MAY
25 Memorial Day
Gold Star daughter Danielle Guthrie and Gold Star son Roy Knight participated in a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the brave Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
Jim Byron Resumes Role as Nixon Foundation
President & CEO After Public Service in Washington, D.C.
Byron took a 14 month leave of absence to manage the U.S. National Archives in Washington, DC; Joe Lopez is now Chief Operating Officer
After a 14-month leave of absence in Washington, D.C., Jim Byron resumed his role as President and CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation on April 6, 2026.
In February 2025, Byron was appointed by President Donald Trump to manage the National Archives and Records Administration day to day as Senior Advisor to Secretary of State Marco Rubio in his capacity as Acting Archivist of the United States. From December 2025 to April 2026, Byron served with the authority of the Archivist of the United States.
Trump his all, and beginning many of our country’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The results of his service will benefit the United States for years to come, and we now look forward to working with him again.”
“It was an honor to serve my country by managing an important federal agency, but family and home called me back to California,” Byron said. “There’s more work to do to advance President Nixon’s legacy and I’m ready to get back to it.”
Resuming his role, Byron intends to continue and build upon the Foundation’s programs to advance President Nixon’s legacy for longterm mission success and impact. He was elected by the Board of Directors in November 2021.
Nixon Foundation Chairman Ambassador Robert O’Brien said: “The entire Board of Directors is grateful to Jim for giving this important assignment from President
When the Board of Directors granted Byron’s leave of absence, it named Joe Lopez Acting President and CEO. Lopez was the Foundation’s Vice President for Communications and Marketing, and has now been named Chief Operating Officer, effective April 6, 2026. Lopez said, “Leading the Nixon Foundation has only deepened my commitment to President Nixon’s legacy. The Foundation team did outstanding work over the past year and it’s great to have Jim back to build on that momentum.”
Ambassador O’Brien said, “Joe Lopez has been a reliable and steady hand at the helm. The entire Board of Directors is grateful to Joe for his leadership and looks forward to continuing to work closely with him in his new role.”
Three Former Board Members Answer the Call to Diplomatic Service
Three former board members of the Richard Nixon Foundation recently stepped down to serve as Ambassadors. While no longer on the board, they are carrying forward President Nixon's example of public service.
Ambassador Lisa Argyros began her service as Ambassador to Latvia in January 2026. When presenting her credentials to President Rinkēvičs, she said, "it is my privilege to serve in a country that shares our commitment to freedom," adding that "my experience in business and philanthropy has shaped how I approach partnerships and problem-solving, and I am excited about strengthening our commercial ties by supporting investment, innovation, and energy cooperation."
Ambassador Monica Crowley is serving as the 35th Chief of Protocol of the United States. Her duties include serving as America's Ambassador for major U.S.-hosted events, including the celebration of America's 250th birthday, the FIFA World Cup 2026, and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Her career in public and foreign affairs began with a letter to President Nixon written when she was a twenty-year-old college student. That letter led to a role serving as foreign policy assistant to President Nixon in the final years of his life.
Ambassador Callista L. Gingrich is serving as United States Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Ambassador Gingrich presented her credentials to President Karin Keller-Sutter, officially beginning her tenure in October 2025. Gingrich previously served as United States Ambassador to the Holy See from October 2017 to January 2021. During that tenure, Ambassador Gingrich worked to advance and defend international religious freedom, combat human trafficking, and provide humanitarian assistance.
Ambassador Lisa Argyros and President Rinkēvičs at Riga Castle on February 20, 2026. Photo credit: Office of the President of Latvia.
Ambassador Monica Crowley’s Swearing In Ceremony in the Oval Office. Photo Credit: Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok
Ambassador Callista L. Gingrich with her husband Speaker Newt Gingrich and President Karin Keller-Sutter (center) at the credentialing ceremony in the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland.
Photo credit: FDFA
Nixon library announces new education building, bids temporary farewell to presidential helicopter for restoration work
After a complete restoration, the helicopter will be permanently showcased inside the Nixon Library's forthcoming Center for American Civics Education
On June 29, the Nixon Library unveiled its plans to build a new educational center on its Yorba Linda campus and kicked off those plans with a grand sendoff for the Presidential Helicopter as it temporarily departed the campus for a complete restoration at March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California.
The completely restored helicopter will return in 2028 as a centerpiece of this new building. The six-ton Sikorsky VH-3A "Sea King" served from 1961 to 1976 as a flying Oval Office for Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford.
The new building will serve as the home of the Nixon Library's Center for American Civics Education, an educational initiative of the Richard Nixon Foundation with interactive programs aimed at encouraging a broader understanding of our country's systems of government.
The helicopter's restoration is made possible through the generous support of Charles Keller, with a gift to the Richard Nixon Foundation's American Civics Campaign to honor his great-grandfather, a general in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War I and a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Gordon Ponsford of Ponsford Ltd. will lead the helicopter restoration team. With roughly 50 years in the field, Ponsford's career includes more than two decades as a conservator at Arlington National Cemetery and aircraft restoration projects at Hill Air Force Base, Robbins Air Force Base and Fairchild Air Force Base.
President Nixon flew aboard this helicopter on 181 missions, including to the Giza Pyramids in Egypt and into Vatican Square, where it was blessed by Pope Paul VI. This helicopter flew under the call sign Marine One when
Rendering of the forthcoming Center to advance American Civics Education.
operated by the U.S. Marine Corps, and Army One when operated by the U.S. Army. The helicopter was retired from presidential service in 1976 and subsequently used for Secret Service training. The helicopter has been a highlight of every Nixon Library visitor's experience for two decades. It is on longterm loan to the National Archives and Records Administration from the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia.
The Nixon Presidential Library and March Field Air Museum first partnered 20 years ago to transport the presidential helicopter from a boneyard in Rhode Island to March Field Air Force Base, and on to the restoration facilities at the adjacent March Field Air Museum. The "Sea King" helicopter was completely restored to museum-quality condition and delivered for display at the Nixon Library, where it has been on site and accessible to the public ever since. Twenty years later, the presidential helicopter is now returning to the same restoration hangar at March Field Air Museum for a complete restoration.
Award-Winning Website: Newly Relaunched Nixonfoundation.org Wins Big
Winning Tuesday, the development team behind our new website, earned top honors, winning a Gold Pollie Award for Best Non-Candidate Website of 2025 and landing a finalist nod from the Reed Awards. Both are among the most prestigious honors in the political communications industry, recognized across party lines for excellence in digital strategy and design. The new site brings to life the enduring legacy of President Nixon while showcasing the Nixon Foundation's ongoing programs and initiatives.
President Nixon and Pat Nixon waving before departing from the White House grounds by helicopter on February 17, 1972, at the start of their historic trip to China.
The Presidential Helicopter has been on display on the grounds of the Nixon Library since 2016.
New Documentary. Coming in 2026.
For 50 years, we've seen parts of Richard Nixon's story portrayed through the same lens. But we’ve never seen the whole picture in documentary form.
This new documentary changes that. NIXON brings together leading historians, White House insiders, and those who knew him personally to finally tell his story on camera.
Set to release in 2026, this is the story of a great man of history who rose to fight again and again and again.
Featuring those who knew Nixon personally — including White House aide Frank Gannon and veteran speechwriter Ken Khachigian — alongside some of today's leading historians and political thinkers, among them Niall Ferguson, Luke Nichter, Heath Hardage Lee, Matt Continetti, and Chris Rufo.
Barbara Bowie
Barbara Rhone Bowie passed away peacefully on June 6, 2026, at the age of 91. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Orange County, California, she spent nearly her entire life helping shape the community she loved. While studying at the University of Colorado, Boulder, she met Alexander "Alex" Bowie; they married in 1956 and spent nearly seventy years building a life together rooted in family, friendship, and philanthropy. A founding member of Angels of the Arts and a driving force behind the effort to establish what is now the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Barbara devoted herself to the arts, education, and civic life throughout Orange County. Her life was also marked by extraordinary resilience — after battling multiple sclerosis for decades, she regained her mobility and chronicled her journey in From Wheelchair to Dance Floor. Barbara and Alex were supporters of the Richard Nixon Foundation's American Civics Campaign and inaugural members of the Nixon Civics Academy Board of Regents.
Stephen Hess
JSJohn Charles Gartland
ohn Charles Gartland of Haverford, PA, passed away on May 29, 2026, at the age of 86. A Villanova University graduate and U.S. Navy Captain, John's career in government spanned decades and multiple administrations, including service as Staff Assistant to the President and Chairman of the National Commission for Employment Policy under Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He lent his talents to Republican presidential campaigns from 1968 through 2004, but no chapter of his public service brought him greater pride than his work as an advance man for four presidents — most memorably his role in President Nixon's tour of the Middle East.
tephen H. Hess passed away on January 18, 2026, at the age of 92. A fixture in Washington for more than half a century, Hess served on the White House staffs of Presidents Eisenhower and Nixon, including as deputy assistant to the President for Urban Affairs, before joining the Brookings Institution, where he remained a leading public policy scholar. He authored more than twenty books on American politics, among them The Professor and the President, which drew on his firsthand experience to chronicle the working relationship between President Nixon and urban affairs adviser Daniel Patrick Moynihan. He was a regular presence at Nixon alumni gatherings and spoke at the Nixon Library's annual birthday commemoration in 2015.
David Young
David R. Young, founder of Oxford Analytica, passed away on December 24, 2025, at the age of 89. During the Nixon administration, Young served as a Special Assistant to the National Security Council and administrative assistant to Henry Kissinger — an experience that would shape the rest of his professional life. In 1975, he founded Oxford Analytica, and the 1984 launch of the Oxford Analytica Daily Brief, modeled on the President's Daily Brief he had watched Kissinger produce, established what became the world's first private-sector, open-source intelligence network. He led the organization for more than four decades.
David Young (right) in the Oval Office with John Eisenhower and President Nixon.
