I recall back in the 90’s they passed a law that gave all the President’s papers to the U.S.? Basically killing any future Presidential libraries.
They are opening George Bush’ library now. I’ve seen references to a future Obama library.
Did they get rid of that new law on seizing their papers? I thought it was a horrible idea. Presidential libraries are a important part of local communities.
Our Clinton library is also tied in with the Clinton School of Public Service which is a Graduate level degree program. It’s a really top level program that brings in guest lecturers from all over the world.
Under the Presidential Records Act of 1978, the records actually belong to the National Archives. This doesn’t mean that there are no presidential libraries, just that the libraries are owned by the government and staffed by Federal employees. Prior to 1978, Presidential papers were considered the personal property of the president, who could do whatever he wanted with them – burn them, sell them on eBay, etc. FDR started the tradition of putting them in a library, but the 1978 law codified the process and made sure that records will be available to future generations and historians.
A Brief History of Presidential Libraries from the National Archives.
I do. I think they’re great. This National Archives page lists the 13 “official” ones. Every president since Herbert Hoover has one, since FDR donated his personal and Presidential papers to the Federal Government.
They are operated by NARA (Nat’l Archives and Records Administration), and so far I’ve been to seven of them. The one for George W. Bush (the 13th one) opens next week in Dallas.
Fleetwood, given that this violates not one but two GQ rules at the same time (against political jabs and jokes before a serious answer has been given), I’m making this an official warning. Don’t do this again.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
Moderator Note
Diceman and enalzi, I’m making this a moderator note only because you didn’t initiate the jab/joke. Don’t do this again.
I haven’t been in it yet, but I’ve seen it several times from a distance. It’s somehow fitting that the Clinton library looks like a giant mobile home up on blocks, under a freeway.
A big fancy library is an important way for a President to define his legacy, and they tend to be popular tourism draws. I’ve been to the Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Ford and Carter libraries - very different, but each quite interesting in its own way. For a history junkie, or anyone interested in the Presidency, they’re well worth a visit.
Nixon’s library was originally run by a private foundation, due to continued sparring between Uncle Sam and the former President over Watergate issues and access to his papers, but eventually the National Archives took it over by mutual consent: Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum - Wikipedia
Mount Vernon is now building a library honoring and memorializing George Washington, but it won’t be part of the National Archives system and thus not an “official” Presidential library. The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, which operates Washington’s home, doesn’t take any Federal money, and never has: http://www.mountvernon.org/educational-resources/library/fsnl
I haven’t been to the Clinton Library yet, mainly because I haven’t been to Little Rock in a long time. I need a reason to go to Little Rock, and can’t think of one, so it might be a while still.
I’ve been to Truman’s Library twice. The last time, there was a Harry look-alike walking around giving speeches and pressing the flesh, and carrying a copy of the Dewey Beats Truman headline. Pretty cool.
As someone else mentioned upthread, the libraries are good for history buffs.
Clothahump, this is your third warning in just over a month for political jabs in General Questions. Given that I gave someone else a warning for a political jab in the post immediately before yours, I have to assume you are just not paying attention. Be on notice that your next warning will bring your posting privileges under discussion. If you cannot post in GQ without making political cracks, then don’t post in this forum at all.
I know that presidential libraries have lots of exhibits for tourists, school groups, etc. But what about the actual presidential papers? Can an average person not affiliated with the government or a research institution just go in and grab a random binder full of presidential papers and start reading? What does it take to get access to the stuff in the back?
If you can get access to the papers, are there catalogs or indexes to help you find something specific?
In general, any insight into how the non-touristy stuff works?
