Visitor's Guide to the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Library & Museum

When you arrive at the Ronald W. Regan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley, you notice first the beautiful rose garden. The rose garden is a replica of the Rose Garden at the White House. Surrounded by the smell of roses with the mountains forming a majestic background, it is breathtaking. The Rose Garden is beside the colonnade for the Air Force One Pavilion. There on the lawn you will also find a section of the Berlin Wall. It is easy to feel the emotion of the wall as you look at each side. It is very easy to determine the East side from the West. This section of concrete carries with it the emotions of many.

When you enter the museum the first thing you should do is see the movie that is shown in the Welcome Theater. This will take you through the life of President Regan from childhood until the date of the opening of the library.

There is a section that focuses on President Regan's life before he was president. We follow "Dutch" Regan through his childhood years, through college, radio and Hollywood. There are many presentations and artifacts.

There is a gallery that highlights President Regan's years as Governor of California.

One of the highlights for us was seeing the actual Air Force One. Be sure and take the tour of this White House in the sky. When you do remember, this is the actual plane that flew seven presidents. You should see the film in the Pavilion Theater before touring the plane as it points out some pretty interesting facts.

You will be able to see, up close the president's limousine that was built specially for him, as well as the Marine One helicopter.

There is an exact replica of the Oval Office in the White House and several displays of Camp David. Camp David is the Presidential retreat and is located in Maryland. There is also a small scale replica of the Regan's ranch Rancho del Cielo.

There is also a section celebrating the life of First Lady Nancy Regan in the Ronald W. Regan Presidential Library & Museum.

The following information is from the website, www.reganlibrary.net