Michigan

Located across the country, presidential museums and libraries (https://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries) not only contain an archive of presidential photos and documents, but they also offer exhibits about the former presidents and the eras of their presidency. In most cases they are funded by private foundations and donations; and they are located in the former presidents’ home state or in a state where they had close ties or spent the majority of their life. And the good news is, since these museums serve as visible faces of the former presidents, most of them go well beyond the letter of the law as far as wheelchair access is concerned. So check out these favorites in your future travels.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Museum

 

eisenhowerlibrary.gov
Located in Abilene, Kansas the Eisenhower museum complex includes a visitors center, the Place of Meditation, Ike’s boyhood home, the museum and the library. There is level access to the visitors center, where you can pick up a loaner wheelchair. Just to the left of the visitors center you’ll find Ike’s boyhood home. Although there are three steps at the front, there is also a wheelchair lift on the side. The first floor of the house is open to the public and it features original furnishings, photographs and personal items of the Eisenhower family.

The museum itself is just a short walk from the home and it features barrier-free access and a wheelchair-lift at the front entrance. It’s really a must-see for anyone interested in World War II history, as the excellent Military Gallery features documents, photographs and artifacts from the war. It also includes a gallery devoted to Mamie Eisenhower, and one that presents a comprehensive overview of President Eisenhower’s life and achievements.

Last but not least, save some time to visit the Place of Meditation, where President Eisenhower was buried on April 2, 1969. There is level access to the chapel and good pathway access inside. The stained glass windows, which were designed by Odell Prather, are particularly striking.

The LBJ Library

 

lbjlibrary.org
This presidential museum is located on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. Free accessible parking is available in lot 38, which is just a short walk from the museum entrance. Access is excellent throughout the museum too, with elevator access to all floors, accessible restrooms, loaner wheelchairs and plenty of space to wheel around the galleries.

As with all presidential museums, a good chunk of the exhibits chronicle the lives of the first family. And along the way you’ll learn some interesting tidbits. For example, Lady Bird got her nickname from a nurse who declared that she was “as pretty as a lady bird”. Add in a reproduction of the Oval Office, as well as Lady Bird’s office, and the official presidential limousine and you have a well-rounded representation of presidential life.

Like the other presidential museums this one also focuses on the events of the times — in this case the 1960s and the 1970s — so if you happened to grow up in those decades it will be especially interesting to you.

Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

 

nixonlibrary.gov
Although the Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library and Museum tends to focus more on Mr. Nixon’s long political career, this Yorba Linda museum also includes some small exhibits on Watergate, the Middle East and Nixon’s farewell speech. The Vietnam Gallery also offers some interesting insights on the conflict, as well as an exhibit of items collected by the POWs. Outside, there’s the Richard Nixon birthplace and the presidential helicopter, which was used by presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford.

Access is good throughout the museum with plenty of accessible parking, ramped access to the front entrance and barrier-free access throughout all the galleries. There is an accessible path from the museum to the birthplace, and a ramped entrance at the back door of the birthplace. There are several steps up to the helicopter; however there is a wide level space around it, with plenty of room to navigate a wheelchair. And it’s an excellent photo op.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

 

fordlibrarymuseum.gov
Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this presidential museum gives visitors a good dose of 1970s history. No matter what your political party affiliation, if you lived through the Watergate years, you’ll love this museum. That’s because the former president wanted the museum to be more about history and less about him.

There is level access to the front entrance of the museum, elevator access to all floors and ample room to wheel around in all of the galleries. Part of the museum focuses on the 38th President’s career, family and military life; however the bulk of it is dedicated to events that occurred just prior to and during his presidency, or those that were influenced by his presidency. Must-sees include the tools used in the Watergate break in and a fascinating exhibit about the Nixon pardon.

Jimmy Carter Library and Museum

 

jimmycarterlibrary.gov
The Jimmy Carter Library and Museum is located about five minutes from downtown Atlanta, on a 35-acre wooded parcel dotted with ponds. Highlights of this museum include a replica of the Oval Office, photographs and memorabilia from the Carter Presidency, and an interesting Camp David exhibit. And of course, don’t miss the gallery filled with Head of State gifts.

Accessible parking is located near the museum, with ramp access to the entrance. Inside there’s plenty of room to wheel around the spacious galleries, with ramp access to some exhibits. Outside, paved pathways lead around the spacious grounds, with wheelchair access to most areas.

Ronald Regan Library & Museum

 

reaganlibrary.com
Located in Simi Valley, California, the Ronald Regan Library & Museum features hundreds of artifacts that chronicle the former-president’s life, career and political accomplishments. There’s a drop-off area for wheelchair-users and slow walkers in front of the museum, with barrier-free access to the entrance and good pathway access inside. A loaner wheelchair is also available at the front desk.

The museum features 125,000 square-feet of gallery space that highlights Regan’s family life, movie career and life in the White House. It also includes a replica of the Oval Office and a section of the Berlin Wall. As an added bonus, many of the exhibits are interactive, so visitors can act in a movie with Ronald Regan or set a table for a White House dinner.

One of the highlights of the museum is Air Force One. There is elevator access down to the tarmac in the Air Force One Pavilion, where you can walk and roll around the plane. Although stairs lead up to the plane, there is also a lift available. That said the airplane aisle is only 28-inches wide, so it may be too narrow for some wheelchair-users. Still it’s fun to great a peek inside.

George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum

 

bush41.org
Located about 100 miles east of Austin, College Station is the site of the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. More specifically, the museum is located on the Texas A&M University Campus.

There’s plenty of accessible parking near the museum, with level access through the plaza to the front lobby. Wheelchairs are available for loan at the front desk, and there’s elevator access to all floors, with barrier-free pathways though the galleries.

Exhibits focus on the life of the former president, and include some reflections of Mr. Bush’s time in the Navy. As one of the Navy’s youngest pilots, he was shot down in the Pacific, and his rescue was recorded on a hand-held movie camera. Today that film clip is on display in the museum. Other exhibits focus on Mr. Bush’s presidential campaigns, his oil business and his stint as a United Nations Ambassador.

Several exhibits focus on events that had an impact on the Bush presidency, with video screens playing back snippets of history. Then there’s the replica of the Oval Office, the collection of state gifts and even the president’s reaction to Watergate. And of course there is a gallery dedicated to the First Lady, as well as one which focuses on the life of President and Mrs. Bush after leaving the White House.

Clinton Presidential Center

 

clintonfoundation.org/clinton-presidential-center
Last but certainly not least in our roundup of presidential museums is the Clinton Presidential Center, located in the River Market District in Little Rock, Arkansas. The 20,000 square-foot exhibit space features excellent access to all galleries, sleek wood floors and level access to the front entrance. And if you don’t think you can manage this massive space on foot, loaner wheelchairs are available.

The exhibits chronicle the Clinton presidency, and include a replica of the Oval Office (complete with a moon rock), items from Bill’s childhood, and even a collection of Saturday Night Live clips featuring Clinton impersonations. There’s also a wing that features the splendor of the White House during the holidays and shows how the Clinton’s gave the presidential residence special touches to really make it their home.

All in all the Clinton Presidential Center houses one of the best presidential collections, and it’s definitely worth a visit. Plan to spend the whole day there though, as there’s definitely a lot to see.