We were up early and ready to be at the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum when it opened at nine. We wanted to spend as much time as we could soaking in this library that was described less as a beautiful library and more of a warehouse for the papers of somebody who really got things done.
We have been visiting presidential libraries (nine of them) for a number of years and we now have 3 in the next couple of days in Texas.
As most presidential libraries, there is a replicate of the Oval Office. Lots of photos and displays of LBJ, as well as a focus on his history, his family, and his accomplishments.
We had a delightful surprise when we had arrived waiting for the LBJ library to open up where we met a volunteer named Susan was sitting on a bench waiting for the door to open herself. We were delighted to get a private orientation about how we can best enjoy the library. She had a lot of wonderful tips as well as shared her concerns that we are in such perilous times right now. Then she apologize because “we’re not supposed to say anything political.” But Dick reassured her that we were not yet inside the library, so she was fine and we agreed with her.
One of the most powerful exhibits as part of the LBJ library was one that was focused on March 1968. This was the time that Dick was so involved in the anti-war movement and doing draft counseling with young men trying to figure out what they would do about Vietnam. Dick applied this information to himself and was eventually successful in being recognized as a conscientious objector. But, the whole display, which included a chance to watch Walter Cronkite on the evening news, share his experience about how devastating the war in Vietnam, was powerful and devastating. The whole display was filled with so many things that brought back painful memories for Dick. It was another time that the country was so divided and the whole situation was just sickening. We agreed that the war in Vietnam took his and the country's attention away from furthering the creation of what he called the "Great Society."
The remainder of the displays especially focused on the amazing domestic agenda that LBJ managed to get through Congress: things like the Voting Right’s Act, Civil Rights Act, Headstart, Medicare and Medicaid, clean water and clean air legislation, guaranteed student loans. So many of the values that we agree are very good roles for government, and things that the current administration seems intent on destroying. We also appreciated the environmental work that his wife, Lady Bird Johnson, did in her partnership with him.
We were struck that we were in Texas on the federal holiday of Juneteenth. This was the day at the end of the Civil War that 250,000 people who were still enslaved in Texas, got the word that they had been freed. The last people who had not received the word received it on June 19th, 1865, (2 1/2 year after Lincoln made the Emancipation Proclamation) hence the name of the holiday. And, doing a research we found throughout central Texas there were lots and lots of celebrations going on. So we tried our best to catch a little bit of taste of the celebrations happening.
We left the Johnson library and went a few miles over to catch the end of a Juneteenth parade going through Austin. This was a very homegrown parade with lots of kids and pick-up trucks and a lot of enthusiasm towards freedom. We appreciated being part of this grassroot event standing up for freedom. But, then we had to move 90 minutes north from Austin to College Station, Texas for our next presidential library of the day.
The second presidential library was the Presidential Library and Museum for George HW Bush. That museum is on the campus of Texas A&M. The Bush Senior library had a different feel about it. It was a much more outward impressive complex. And, information was presented in some very sophisticated ways.
Through synchronicity, we happened to run into one of Dick‘s colleagues from National University, Kelly, who was at the library at the exact same time with a work group from his wife’s work. They had arranged a special tour with Bob, the assistant director for the library. Kelly saw us and we were eagerly greeted and then we’re actually able to tag along on this really excellent tour. Our tour guide had been involved with the Bush Library since its conception 29 years ago. And, he knew both George Senior and Barbara Bush and had many conversations with them. He took us through all the areas of the museum and especially pointed out a lot of behind-the-scenes details that we would not normally have noticed.
Although neither of us had been big fans of Bush when he was president, especially concerning the horrible war in Iraq, we were left with an impression of a public servant who really tried to operate within integrity. Because so many big things were happening internationally during his presidency, he had less time to focus on domestic policies. But there were still some good things that happened domestically, including the Americans with Disability Act. He was president during the time of Tiananmen Square in China, when the Berlin wall was torn down, and when the Soviet Union split up. It was a tumultuous time for the world and he worked hard to try to keep things from going even more crazy than what was happening. All in all an especially fascinating tour and an opportunity to do some more reflecting on this leader who led the country at a very challenging time.
Following the library, we checked into our funky hotel. This hotel had been a rather plain Motel in the 1970s. They have been in the process of upgrading and making it a vintage retro very cool place. We were able to get our free adult beverage after we’ve checked in and made ourselves a little dinner out of our cooler in our really cute room.
Although we were tired, we decided to go ahead and drive about 20 minutes to the second Juneteenth event of the day for us. This was a gospel festival at a local community center. For two hours, a series of soloists and then two choirs raised the roof at this community center. There was lots of singing, along with songs that the audience, almost a congregation, often knew and sang along. There was a lot of support and grace for problems with the sound system. A number of the singers were quite elderly and needed help up front or used a cane or walker or wheelchair, but their voices were really strong. The singing was really lovely and celebratory. A speaker at the beginning, reminded people of the story of Juneteenth and the word of freedom spreading. There was a lot of appreciation of freedom and how far we all have come. It was a blessing to join in on this community celebration with about 150 people. We so appreciate when there’s an opportunity to share in the cultural celebrations where we can join in and learn and appreciate the amazing culture surrounding us.
We went back to our hotel room, tired, but feeling like we had an amazingly good day.
How amazing to be in Texas on Juneteenth! Great timing! I was very moved by the account of Dick's time consuling young men and becoming a CO. The stories are important aren't they?
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