{"id":6958,"date":"2017-12-13T08:41:46","date_gmt":"2017-12-13T13:41:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vweisfeld.com\/?p=6958"},"modified":"2018-01-23T07:19:24","modified_gmt":"2018-01-23T12:19:24","slug":"la-sidetrip-nixon-library-and-museum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vweisfeld.com\/?p=6958","title":{"rendered":"LA Sidetrip: Nixon Library and Museum"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"richard-nixon\"Nixon\u2019s the One!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Certainly there was a period of years when I couldn\u2019t have imagined visiting the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum<\/a>, much less enjoying it, but times change. Located in the town of Yorba Linda, where the 37th President was born, it\u2019s about an hour southeast of downtown Los Angeles. (The better-known \u201cwestern White House\u201d in San Clemente is near the ocean.)<\/p>\n

The National Archives runs the site and has done a fine job creating exhibits and audiovisuals. They don\u2019t gloss over the problematic aspects of Nixon\u2019s presidency\u2014you can even listen to some of the infamous White House tapes\u2014as well as remind visitors of the good parts.<\/p>\n

And there were accomplishments that Americans can still be proud of and value. Among those described on the library\u2019s website<\/a>, he started the Environmental Protection Agency and supported a range of environmental issues, he launched the \u201cWar on Cancer,\u201d which, though far from over, has led to significant advances in cancer care and fundamental biomedical research, he oversaw programs and laws protecting the civil rights of women, school-children, and American Indians, and, on the international front, he opened the door to China, used diplomatic means to limit the Soviet-American arms race, and affirmed U.S. treaty obligations. Nowadays, Nixon looks better than one might have predicted 43 years ago when he left the White House in disgrace.<\/p>\n

Watergate<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The library has an excellent timeline of events that led to Watergate and, ultimately, Nixon\u2019s resignation. Some years later, I worked in the very suite of offices that the Democratic National Committee occupied in 1972\u2014600 Virginia Avenue, third floor. One of the doors leading to the stairwell had a plaque on it commemorating the night that the tape was found on that door, which led to the discovery of the Watergate break-in, which led to the cover-up, which led to the Saturday night massacre, which led to the congressional hearings, which led to the Nixon family\u2019s departure from the White House lawn in Marine One.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pat Wanted an Acting Career<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The museum surprises with its documenting of the quiet and steady contribution of Pat. As First Lady, she was active and participatory and carried a good will message from America around the world. In the Watergate era, when I was perhaps paying more attention, she seemed unruffled, on pause. Possibly this was a coping strategy or a bizarre fulfillment of her desire to be an actor.<\/p>\n

On the Grounds<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Nixon's

Nixon’s boyhood home; photo: Vicki Weisfeld<\/p><\/div>\n

Also at the museum complex you can tour the \u201cboyhood home\u201d and see the bedroom where Nixon was born, as well as the plot where he and Pat are buried. The Marine One helicopter, used by numerous presidents is on display and tour-able unless the weather is too hot! Nixon was a lawyer, a commissioned Navy officer during World War II, and served his country as U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, Vice President during the Eisenhower years, and President.<\/p>\n

As a private citizen again, he wrote his memoirs and several other books. Despite his flaws, the Library notes that every president who succeeded him consulted him on foreign affairs (Henry Kissinger\u2019s eulogy<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Going? Books to Throw in Your Suitcase<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n