My husband and I grew up in the 1970s – a time when inflation was high, oil was in short supply and war protests were rampant. I remember sitting in our car waiting on long lines at the gas station on alternate days for gasoline. The final number on your car license plate determined if you were allowed to purchase gas on odd or even days.
My husband and I are both big history fans; I have a minor in history and John is a retired university history professor. We both know first hand that history repeats itself. Consequently, we are raving fans of the U.S. Presential Libraries and are fortunate to have two of them located in our home state of California. It had been a while since we visited the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda. I read online about a new Middle East exhibit and knew it was time to pay another visit. I will write about this terrific exhibit in my next post.
I admit that part of my attraction to the Nixon Library is nostalgic. Also, it is a reminder that we can overcome dark times. My husband and I grew up in completely different political environments: I grew up in a household where Tricky Dick was the devil and John’s parents described themselves as Goldwater Republicans who loved President Nixon. I don’t think my mother-in-law ever quite forgave John for becoming a registered Democrat. Both families were glued to the television during the Watergate hearings.
The Vietnam war section at the museum always holds particular memories for me. There is a collection of POW bracelets on display. I remember people, particularly, teenage girls, wearing them to honor American soldiers being held by the North Vietcong. Each bracelet has the name of a specific soldier. There is a very moving photo of a POW being reunited with his family at a U.S. airport, too.
I was in elementary school during the war and remember classmates, who lost their fathers overseas, clutching their fathers dog tags and other military items. This is also a time when the number of men pursuing doctorates dramatically increased. Staying in school kept males 18 and over out of the army. My favorite high school teacher told me he was ordered to work at a mental hospital for being a conscientious objector. Draft card burnings were real.
The Richard Nixon Presidential Library is mix of Richard Nixon’s accomplishments and failures. Opening relations with China was phenomenal. He is also responsible for both Section 8 Housing and Title IX.
Interestingly, the most popular area was the Watergate exhibit. The exhibit does not gloss over this dark time in American history. In summary, the library is worth visiting and has something for everyone – his former presidential helicopter, his childhood home (made from a Sears kit) and his work to open up China after 25 years of no communication.
NO time for boredom today 
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