Today’s post comes from Nikita Buley, an intern in the National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications.
Happy American Archives Month! Throughout October, we’re running a series of “spotlights” on the many locations that make up the National Archives. Remember, YOU can use the research rooms at our Presidential libraries.
The 13 Presidential libraries are part of the National Archives, even the ones that are not finished yet. The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is still in the final stages of construction, expected to end next month. The Library is set to open to the public in 2013 on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
The Library already holds over 29,000 cubic feet of textual records (over 70 million pages), 1200 cubic feet of audiovisual records, and approximately 80 terabytes of electronic records—the largest digital collection of any of the Presidential Libraries.
When it opens, the Museum’s permanent exhibit center around the themes of freedom, responsibility, opportunity, and compassion. The exhibit will use artifacts and documents from the Library. Other permanent features are a full-sized Oval Office, a Texas rose garden, and the Decision Points Theater, designed to educate visitors about the decision process and policies during the Bush presidency.
The Museum will also present temporary exhibits meant to complement the permanent exhibit and showcase the mission of the Library.
Online, you can find multiple photo and video galleries. Perhaps the most interesting is the 360º Artifact Gallery, which allows you to zoom in and view from any angle various artifacts from the Library and Museum.
There are also many teacher’s resources, including lesson plans and soon-to-come field trip program options.
While waiting for the Library and Museum to open, plan your first visit!