The Nixon Library and Birthplace was dedicated in July 1990. We have lived just 50 miles away during the twenty-four years it's been open, but we had never gone to Yorba Linda for a visit. A few months ago, we finally rectified that problem, and now we are wondering what took us so long.
As indicated by the name, the museum is built on the property next to the home where Richard Nixon was born.
The walk up to the house passes by the very simple graves of Pat (1912-1993) and Richard (1913-1994):
Nixon's father used a kit to build this bungalow next to eight acres of citrus groves the Nixons owned. Richard spent the first nine years of his life in this house.
While we waited for our tour of the home to begin, we enjoyed the nicely landscaped yard
Just beyond the house is Army One, the helicopter used not only by Nixon, but also by Kennedy, Johnson, and Ford. With seats for sixteen, it is pretty big. Nixon used it on over 180 trips, most notably on August 9, 1974, when it picked him and Pat up on the White House lawn after he resigned the Presidency.
A huge reflecting pool links the home to the museum:
The adjoining lawn and garden are frequently rented for weddings. The girl in the gift shop told me that weekends are generally packed with multiple weddings each day.
The gazebo used for photos and/or vows is the same one used for Tricia Nixon's wedding to Edward Cox in their 1971 White House Rose Garden wedding.
Speaking of rose gardens, the property boasts the largest rose garden in Southern California. There are over 1,400 roses of 43 varieties. Pat Nixon loved gardening, and she personally oversaw the development of the gardens here.
As indicated by the name, the museum is built on the property next to the home where Richard Nixon was born.
The walk up to the house passes by the very simple graves of Pat (1912-1993) and Richard (1913-1994):
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| "Even when people can't speak your language, they can tell if you have love in your heart." |
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| "The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker." |
Nixon's father used a kit to build this bungalow next to eight acres of citrus groves the Nixons owned. Richard spent the first nine years of his life in this house.
Nixon lived here with his older brother and two younger brothers. One more brother was born after the Nixons moved. It's not a very large house for four rambunctious boys.
Speaking of rose gardens, the property boasts the largest rose garden in Southern California. There are over 1,400 roses of 43 varieties. Pat Nixon loved gardening, and she personally oversaw the development of the gardens here.
Next Up: Inside the Museum, Nixon's Career
I've heard you used to be able to build your own bungalow from a kit. Cute house, beautiful yard.
ReplyDeleteI liked the combination of the presidential library with the birth home.
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