25 April 2022
It was a rainy day in Austin, so we didn’t get to check out the tacos (apparently Austin is known for TACOS) and we didn’t make it to the Swedish bakery or the state Capitol. We did, however, survive a raging THUNDERstorm in the big white brick which is the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum on the campus of the University of Texas (“hook ‘em”).
This building: methinks it was a good idea on paper but it’s not aged well. It’s kind of, boring. Nothing burger. The primary building material, Italian travertine, imparts a nice texture but the design suffers from that boxy 70s boringness. IMHO. Of course. It’s pretty functional.
I enjoyed both of the special exhibits on display: “Lady Bird Johnson: Beyond the Wildflowers” and “One Night in Miami: from Photos to Film”. No photography of the Cassius Clay series was allowed. The BW photos were really amazing. As was Lady Bird. Smart girl always; outdoorsy, curious. LBJ courted her ardently and within three months of meeting, they ran away to San Antonio to be married. He slipped a $2.50 ring purchased at the Sear Roebuck store across the street from the church on her finger and they left for a honeymoon in Mexico “for as long as our money lasted”!
After our visit we walked a couple of big blocks to Snarf’s for sandwiches. They were great!
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| This is ten stories of museum/library |
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| LBJ, at 6’3” was one of our taller presidents and he used it to intimidate! |
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| Each Presidential site we’ve visited this week has had a mock Oval Office. It’s cool to see how very different the same room is for each of the Presidents. |
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| LBJ having fun “intimidating” |
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| Travertine was used extensively inside the library as well as on the outside. We’re looking up the stairs to the 4th floor. You can see the stacks on higher floors of the LBJ Presidential papers stored here. |
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| When I think of LBJ, I think of Viet Nam. Next, I think of the Kennedy assassination. I’ve heard historians tout him as one of the most influential Presidents of all time. Seeing the list of things he accomplished, it’s kind of breathtaking. I need to revise my thinking on this one! And, put the Doris Kearns Goodwin biography on my TO READ list! Some of the things I take for granted to day are Medicare and Medicaid. NPR. Nutritional labeling on foods. Clean air. College loan programs. And lots more, as you can see. |
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A mockup of Lady Bird’s office as First Lady. She used her floor to “file” papers she was finished with.
(I think this is wise. I’ve done it for decades!) |
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My favorite photo of the little Lady Bird.
(I wish the reflections of the photos on the other side of the room were not there!) |
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Good quote. After he left office, Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
This was a nice museum; I’m enjoying each one as I relive those years. Tomorrow is our longest driving day of the trip as we head to Big Bend NP. Stay tuned! |
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