For many years, the name Richard Nixon brought cringes to the faces of the American people. His claim to fame among the presidents was the fact that he was the only United States President to resign from office after the scandalous Watergate break-in, which it was proven that he had knowledge of and that he participated in a cover-up of. It is, however, unlikely that he ever ended his sentences as poorly as that last one, what with two prepositions and all. But back on the subject, it should be remembered that our nations 37th leader had some good points too.
Within the first term that lasted from 1969-1973, and his abbreviated second term that ended mid-1974, Nixon negotiated the cease-fire in Vietnam, normalized relations with the Communist People’s Republic of China, initiated an anti-ballistic missile treaty with the Soviet Union, began the Clean Air Act, the War on Cancer, and the War on Drugs, and de-segregated many schools in the deep South. So you see, he wasn’t such a bad guy after all.
Prior to his Presidency, Nixon served both in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for California, and as Vice-President under Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was the only former V.P. to became President who didn’t ascend as either the result of a President’s death or directly following his term.
The nice thing about the major Presidential sites of Richard Nixon are that they can all be found in one place: at the site of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California. Here are my visits:
Monday, June 26, 1995 / Tuesday, February 13, 2007 – Richard Nixon Birthplace –Richard Nixon was born on January 9, 1913, and spent his the first nine years of his life in this modest home in Yorba Linda, which his parents had built on their citrus ranch a year before his birth. After the family moved on, it was purchased by a local school, and it functioned as a caretaker’s house for many years – so the home was, in essence, preserved with a lot of its original furniture (although minor restorations have taken place).
In the Watergate display of the Nixon Library in 1995
The school and land made an ideal place to erect Nixon’s Presidential Library, with the added – rather amazing – bonus of having the actual birthplace not only still standing, but adjoining the Library and Museum. Visitors can walk through the house to see some of the original family items and some period furnishings.
The birth home as seen in 1995
Plaque outside the birthplace
In front of Nixon’s birthplace in 2007. The lower monument in front of the house was placed when Nixon became Vice-President, while the standing monument was added upon his Presidency.
Monday, June 26, 1995 / Tuesday, February 13, 2007 – Richard Nixon Library and Museum – I first visited the library during a visit to the Hollywood area with my friend Bob in 1995. This was my first Presidential Library, in addition to being my first Presidential birthplace and grave. As per usual for the time period, I only gathered a few snapshots of the location, none of which included me. I was more conscientious about gathering photos of (and by this time, documenting) my visit in 2007 during another Hollywood soiree.
Like Nixon’s Presidency, the Library and Museum was also unique. For the first 17 years of the library’s life, it operated outside the auspices of the NARA (National Archives and Records Administration), which controls all other Presidential Libraries. This was due to an act that was passed that ensured that Nixon could not destroy any of his Watergate (and other Presidential) materials. These papers and recordings were held by the National Archives, while the museum opened with Nixon’s personal artifacts. In mid-2007, the privately-run Nixon Library struck a deal with the NARA that gave control over to them – and it is now part of the official Presidential Libraries. (I have yet to see it since the NARA has taken over).
At the time of my visits, the museum itself had a wide array of exhibits pertaining to Nixon’s Presidency: letters, political memorabilia, formal clothing, videos, and life-size bronze figures of world leaders who had association with Nixon. There is also a replica of the East Room of the White House (which is actually slightly bigger than the real one). At the time of this visit, the display outside the museum was the original Presidential helicopter “The Sea King.” This helicopter served Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford from 1961 – 1976. Nixon himself was actually on board 181 times, including the famous departure from the White House on August 9, 1974, following his resignation.
Visiting the Library & Birthplace, which was still privately owned, in 2007
Shaking hands, so to speak, with the bronze Nixon
In the replica of the East Room of the White House
Me and the Sea King
Monday, June 26, 1995 / Tuesday, February 13, 2007 – Richard Nixon grave –At the time of President and Mrs. Nixon’s deaths, the Richard Nixon Library and Museum was not part of the NARA’s Presidential Libraries. Therefore in order to bury someone (even the President himself) on the property, a small parcel of land had to be annexed by a church so the President and First Lady could be legally buried there. As you can see from the photos, the graves and birth home are a mere stone’s throw from one another.
President Nixon’s grave in 1995
First Lady Patricia Nixon’s grave in 1995
Overview showing the proximity of the Nixon grave and his birthplace, 2007
Me and the Nixon graves
Continue to the next President…
Return to Monday 1995 in California…
Return to Tuesday 2007 in California…
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