The George W Bush Presidential Center, Part 1

The George W Bush Presidential Center includes the Presidential Library, Museum, Policy Institute, and the Bush Foundation.  I have been to the Bush Center Museum twice and loved it both times. My first visit, a few years ago, the special exhibits section focused on all the First Ladies. On this, my second, visit to the Museum the special exhibit section displayed the President's "Portraits in Courage" paintings.  Because there were so many parts to the Center I want to share with you, I am posting this blog in three parts.

The George W Bush Presidential Center

The Bush Center is located on the Southern Methodist University campus near Dallas in University Park, Texas. The Center is in a beautiful building, but very cold so you need a sweater to enjoy it fully. In the lobby there are glass displays that contained state gifts from leaders from around the world. It truly seems crazy to me that this whole gift giving practice still exists. The President cannot personally keep the gifts, although they can wear the jewelry to events while in office, and they can display them in their library.  To me it would make more sense for the gift giving country to donate money to an American charity in the name of the President. Just seems like such a waste of money.

Golden desert scene given to Laura Bush from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, and a sterling silver clutch purse given to Laura from Emine Erdogon, wife of the Prime Minister of Turkey.

Sterling silver model of the Al Jahili castle in the United Arab Emirates presented to Laura Bush, and A sapphire and diamond jewelry set presented to Laura by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

A gift from President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of The Untied Republic of Tanzania. I wonder where this was stored before the Center opened.

When you get into the permanent exhibit section it is full of historic and interesting displays. This includes a replica of the Oval Office that is decorated as it was during the Bush presidency. You can walk around and see the office just as it was, and even get your picture taken sitting at the President's desk.

The President's desk in the replica of the Oval Office

The sitting area of the replica of the Oval Office.

There are displays and pictures of Bills and Legislation that were passed during the Bush years, including the pens he used to sign them. The museum had a large display on the AIDS campaign Bush started in Africa, and some of his other humanitarian projects.

The pens used to sign bills by the President.

This is called a map of need. The size of the nations are an illustration of where the most people are located that were suffering from HIV in 2003. Because of the high level of HIV cases in Africa, it is disproportionately larger than the rest of the nations of the world. 

These are a close up of the pictures of the real people that are suffering, or have died from HIV. These faces make up the map above.

This is a letter from Bono, the lead singer of U2, to President Bush praising him for his leadership in the fight against AIDS. I love how he addresses the President with, "Hey Pres!" and "Yo Bush!"

In true George W Bush's humor he replies to Bono with a "Yo Bono!", and ends the note with a P.S. referring to his wife and daughters as "All the Bush Chicks."

There is a exhibit on the Bush family and their lives in the White House that include statues of their dogs, their clothes worn during state visits, items from the visit from Queen Elizabeth II, there are pictures and displays of the annual Easter Egg Roll, and visits from winning sports teams. There is a small theater section where you can watch a hilarious video of the Bush daughter's presenting a video of their Dad, President Bush, and some humorous highlights of his time in the White House.

Statues of Barney and Miss Beazley the Bush's Scottish Terriers.

Invitations to the annual Eater Egg Roll, the egg artist display, a ticket to the roll, the official decorated egg from each Bush year, and the President's whistle to start the festivities. 

Close up of some of the eggs.

 Laura's gown, the President's tux, the invitations, and the welcome speech the President read during Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip's State visit on May 7-8, 2007.

Whether you liked his politics, or not, people from all over the world loved his sense of humor and human kindness. Even Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton seem to enjoy being around George W Bush.

As you walk out of the permanent exhibit you walk across these words on the floor. You see the date when President Bush leaves the Presidency, and becomes a Private Citizen.

Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3 of this Bush Center series.