"It is all here: the story of our time with the bark off. This Library will show the facts, not just the joy and triumphs, but the sorrow and failures, too."
Lyndon B. Johnson
LBJ's Texas Hill Country upbringing both soothed and savaged him. He lived less than 70 years- but he packed them full.
He was the epitome of the 1930’s New Deal public servant – serving as a Congressman, U.S. Senator, Senate Majority Leader and Vice President. Prior to becoming President in 1963, following John F. Kennedy’s assignation. Travelers to Austin can make a fast connection to the man and his times by stopping off at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, located near I 35.
An exhibit marking the great changes in the six decades he lived is a key component and begins the explanation of this complicated man. He fought during the Great Depression to have electricity brought to his rural neighbors. By the end of his life man had walked on the moon.
Johnson was a big man, a Texan and a lover of cars in a time when gas-guzzling automobiles were the norm. The 1968 stretch Lincoln limousine, he used in both DC and Austin, is typical of the era. Also shown is a 1910 Model T similar to one the young LBJ’s family used.
One perk of being President is the plethora of presents from other visiting heads of state. Technically they belong to all the people of the United States. However, even with proof of citizenship, trying to haul home an original painting by Diego Rivera is not allowed. Instead visit the piece from his cubism period here. It was a gift from Mexican President Ordaz in 1967.
Other nifty gifties given during the Johnson Presidency include German porcelain, ancient Roman sculpture, a carved African elephant tusk (relax – it was still legal to bestow such trinkets in the late 60’s) and a silver tankard presented by Norway’s King Olaf V. Whether the Norwegian sovereign provided the aquavit to put in the tankard is a mystery.
A small display also covers similar type items President and Mrs. Johnson gave to others in the American people’s name.
Prior to bringing the kids to meet a President who served over 40 years ago it might be wise to let them visit the LBJ Library’s website for the special section dedicated to the leader of the “Great Society.”
The old adage which says behind every great man is a great woman was a reality in former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson.
You may not realize it but decades before Al Gore and others telling us to protect our environment, Mrs. Johnson , who recently died at age 94, had well heeled and high heeled grand dames of society planting flower bulbs and trees along highways and in inner cities. She believed in preserving Mother Earth, so expand your plans to include a stop by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center.
Here 16 gardens are arranged to educate people on how best to use native plants of Texas. The Little House Square is filled with textures, shapes and smells to captivate children from two to six years of age. Yes, lizards live here. Even if your green thumb is not from the Lone Star State a walk along on of the trails, like the Woodland or Savannah Meadow are sure to enhance your visit.
From the world's mightiest potentate to its most humble posy, Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson knew them both.
For more information see: www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/
Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center: www.wildflower.org/
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