Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

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The inner courtyard of the library.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library of Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States. It is located in Simi Valley, California, a few miles north of Los Angeles and may be accessed by driving to the Olsen Road exit of California State Route 23, which connects to the nearby Ronald Reagan Freeway, California State Route 118.

When opened on November 4, 1991, it was the largest of all presidential libraries. It held that title until the dedication of the Bill Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 18, 2004. Recently the title was reclaimed with the opening of a massive expansion, including the Air Force One used by President Reagan.

It was designed by Hugh Stubbins and Associates.

As a Presidential library administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Reagan Library, under the authority of the Presidential Records Act, is the repository of presidential records for President Reagan’s administration. Holdings include 50 million pages of presidential documents, over 1.6 million photographs, a half million feet of motion picture film and tens of thousands of audio and video tapes. Additionally, the Library houses personal papers collections including documents from Reagan’s eight years as governor of California.

The Museum portion features several presidential displays, continually revolving special exhibits, and a permanent (though often updated) exhibit of President Reagan’s life. This exhibit spans from his childhood in Dixon, Illinois, through his film career, term as governor, presidential campaign, and presidency (including a full scale replica of the Oval Office). Also featured are displays on Nancy Reagan, and the Reagan’s beloved retreat, Rancho del Cielo.

A massive and impressive “hanger” serves as the setting for the Boeing 707 jet plane modified for presidential use as Air Force One during Reagan's administration--SAM 27000—which is on permanent display. This aircraft was also used by six other presidents in its life from 1973-2001: Richard Nixon during his second term, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, William J. Clinton, and George W. Bush. The jet is part of a massive display of presidential travel that also includes a Marine One, presidential Limousine and motorcade, and an F-14 jet. The Air Force One Pavilion was opened to the public on October 24 2005.

Reagan's tomb at the library.

The hilltop grounds boast impressive views of the area as well as a large, authentic piece of the Berlin Wall, a recreation of the White House Lawn, and a cafe.

Presidents Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, George H. W. Bush, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter dedicating the library in 1991.

A tomb had been previously built for the eventual use of Reagan and his wife. Upon his death on June 5, 2004 the tomb was made ready. On June 11, 2004 President Reagan was laid to rest in the underground vault following a sunset service on the library grounds, after his state funeral in Washington DC.

The dedication of the Library, attended by Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush was the first time that five presidents gathered in the same place.

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