On October 8, I went on a field trip with my 10th grade class to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. It was a great experience; learning about the life of Ronald Reagan and the importance of his presidency was fascinating. Throughout the tour, we visited the Air Force One Pavilion, the Oval Office, and many other exhibits that portray Ronald Reagan’s life in the past.
The construction of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library started on November 21, 1988. Currently, it is located near Simi Valley and covers approximately 150,000 square feet. The library is surrounded by desert and has a beautiful view of the mountains. The general tickets for the library cost $29.95, while youth and seniors have discounted costs. The library is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 7 days a week. Despite its name “library,” the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is closer to a museum that a collection of books. It has many exhibits that show the lives of Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy Reagan.
When we entered the library, the Air Force One Pavilion was one of the first places the tour guide presented to my group. Once you enter the Air Force One Pavilion, you can see the massive plane that Ronald Reagan took to 26 foreign countries and 46 U.S. states. Helicopters, limousines, and motorcycles that were used during the time of Ronald Regan’s presidency are also shown as part of this exhibit. Inside the Air Force One, we witnessed the reenactment of Ronald Reagan’s time on the plane. It was a unique experience; learning more about our 40th president was exciting.
Another place that our tour guide allowed us to visit was the Oval Office. As you may already know, the Oval Office can be decorated by each president to suit their tastes. Ronald Reagan was inspired to add earthy colors and western art when he was in office. A jar of jelly beans was always on his desk, since he enjoyed eating them while working. The Oval Office in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is a captivating replica of President Reagan’s office.
There are many exhibits that provide real-life, hands on experiences when you come to the Ronald Reagan Library. Just a few of the engaging exhibits are: acting in a movie with Ronald Reagan, delivering President Reagan’s inaugural address on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, setting the table for a state dinner, and riding a horse alongside President Reagan at Rancho del Cielo. In addition, you can also take a look at a piece of the Berlin Wall as well as the memorial where Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan are buried. These exhibits accurately portray the life story of our past president, Ronald Reagan. I hope after reading this, you are intrigued to visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and delve deeper into the life of our noteworthy 40th president.
Rachel Lee
Grade 10
The Science Academy
