Presidential libraries are not libraries in the traditional sense; you cannot walk in and check out a book. Rather, they are facilities that archive, preserve and exhibit major events โ political and otherwise โ that took place while that particular presidentโs administration served as the face of the nation. Prior to the establishment of the first presidential library, presidents dispersed their papers between different libraries and private collectors. Often, many important, historic and celebrated artifacts were damaged or misplaced in the process. Once each administration was granted its own library, this no longer occurred. There is something very American and patriotic about our thirteen presidential libraries. They are living monuments to the past, while marking the point where current events turn into history. In addition to serving as research archives, they are also artifact museums that groups of children can visit.
148 / THE MONSEY VIEW
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO ESTABLISH A LIBRARY. IN 1939 HE DONATED HIS PERSONAL AND PRESIDENTIAL PAPERS, AS WELL AS PORTIONS OF HIS HYDE PARK ESTATE, TO THE ROOSEVELT LIBRARY.
Highlights of the LBJ Presidential Library include a replica of the Oval Office. In a seven-minute conversation with the architect, President Lyndon Baines Johnson outlined his wish for an Oval Office look-alike โ and he got it! Even though it was a bit smaller than the one heโd used in the White House.... His library, which was established in his house, sports a helipad on the roof simply because he was a great fan of helicopters! He loved helicopters so much, in fact, that his desk chair in the Oval Office was actually a vinyl helicopter seat. In the event of a flood or an emergency water landing, the cushion could have doubled as a flotation device. No joke. President Johnson was a legendary drama queen โ er, king. He also had a life-sized, moving model of himself placed in his library, which plays the many recorded stories he told at dinners and events.