One of the largest Vatican collections ever to tour the United States is now here in Southern California. Vatican Splendors: A Journey Through Faith and Art is open to the public through August 28, 2016. The 10,000 square-foot exhibition includes an extraordinary collection of historical and religious objects, some of them dating back to the first century. Works of art by Michelangelo, Bernini, Guercino, and others are also on display.
Former first lady Nancy Reagan said, “Through his
life, my husband had a great affinity for the Catholic Church and as President
of the United States, his relationship with the Vatican was very strong. He
established a unique and very special friendship with Saint John Paul II.
Remarkably, they shared similar personal backgrounds and together, they worked
very hard – mostly in secret – to free the people of Poland and other captive
nations from Communist rule. My husband would have been honored to know that
his presidential library will be sharing this remarkable Vatican exhibition
with the American people.”
Visitors become immersed in the grandeur of the
Vatican right from the beginning with an opening theater experience to viewing
art, history, and culture of the Vatican (some of these objects are not even on
view for the general public in Rome) and ending with a cast of Saint John Paul
II’s hand (which guest may grasp). This multi-sensory experience will also
explore a document signed by Michelangelo and a bas relief sculpture that he
created toward the end of his career, venerated remains (bone fragments) of
Saints Peter and Paul, recreations of the underground catacombs where the remains
of Saint Peter were discovered, and sights and sounds of the grand Basilica.
- Travel tip: Make plans to visit this exhibit and the library as early in the day as you can. The later it gets, the more crowded it is which may impede on your viewing of these historical objects. If you plan on exploring the rest of the museum in its entirety, plan for at least 4-5 hours.
Your ticket also includes admission into the main
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum and Air Force One Pavilion. If
you have never been a presidential library before, this is one that should not
be missed.
Beautiful painted murals of former First Lady Nancy
Reagan adorn the entrance. This was another reason why I wanted to come to the
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. I wanted to pay my respects to
this lovely lady who passed away earlier this year. I remember when I was in
grade school, Ronald Reagan was president and presented a few of us with the
Presidential Academic Fitness Award. I still have the embossed certificate and
lapel pin to this day.
The museum is set up in chronological order from when
Ronald Reagan was born, his acting career, his years as governor, assassination
attempt, a recreation of The Oval Office as it was when President Reagan was in
office, and at the half way mark is the Air Force One Pavilion.
In the Air Force One Pavilion, the Air Force One 27000
was used by seven presidents: Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, G.H.W. Bush,
Clinton, and G.W. Bush. The plane was decommissioned on September 8, 2001. It was
disassembled over a nine-week period by The Boeing Company into sections:
fuselage, tail and stabilizers, engines, main landing gear, and wings. After
construction of the pavilion and reassembling of 27000, Air Force One Pavilion
opened to the public on October 24, 2005.
In the pavilion, you can see the plane in its grandeur
like it just came off the showroom floor.
The front of the pavilion is floor to ceiling glass (3
stories high) with sweeping views of the Conejo Valley.
On the plane, you will see how President Reagan had it
with the creature comforts of home. One thing that President Reagan was known
for was his love Jelly Belly Jelly Beans. There were glass canisters of them on almost every table. But what you
probably don’t know is that he always had a cake on board to celebrate
birthdays and special occasions of his crew and staff.
As you take the elevator down a level, you can view the
Air Force One underbelly and get an actual concept of how big this plane really
is.
Marine One Tail Number 150611 is also on display in
the Air Force One Pavilion. It is a Sikorsky VH-3A and was first used in the
Army and Marine Corps. It was then assigned to HMX-1 (Marine Helicopter
Squadron One) for presidential/executive transportation duty from 1967-1968 and
again from 1974-1976. It went on to serve in the Navy from 1976-2002. It was
then retired and has been on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum since
2004.
The Ronald Reagan Pub is a great place to take a break
with a snack, drink, and sit down to rest your feet. At this point, you are
only half-way through the museum. A fun fact: the furnishings and details in
the pub are actually from a real pub that Ronald Reagan used to frequent. He
stopped by one day and found that it had closed up shop. He bought all the
interior furnishings and had it recreated in his museum.
As you make your way out of the Air Force One
Pavilion, the rest of President Reagan’s life continues from politics in
America, summits, and Camp David during his presidency. Post-presidential life
continues through his passing on June 5, 2004. The emotions are very strong in
the Mourning Ronald Reagan room. There is a picture of Nancy with her son, Ron,
and her daughter, Patti, at President Reagan’s funeral that capture the
emotional pain and you just can’t help but cry.
The tour ends at the Museum Store where you can select
the perfect memento to remember your experience. They even have a variety of
Jelly Belly Jelly Beans for purchase as well.
After a 5-hour tour, you might be a hungry. Reagan’s
Country Café is a great place to eat, sit, and talk about your favorite parts
of the museum. The café has an array of deli sandwiches, salads, soup, chili,
pizza, hot dogs, burgers, kid’s meals, and desserts. Air Force One Burgers come
with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a pickle wedge. You have a choice of a Classic
Angus Beef Burger, Cheeseburger, Bacon Cheeseburger, or Gardenburger. The Bacon
Cheeseburger is similar to what you would get a diner – flat-top grilled burger
with melted American cheese and topped with bacon. The buns are grilled for a
butter-toasted flavor and texture.
Once you finish lunch, you can take a stroll outside
to the Ruwe Terrace and see beautiful views of Conejo Valley and Simi Valley.
There is a piece of the Berlin Wall on display.
The Memorial Site is where President Ronald Wilson
Reagan and former First Lady Nancy David Reagan lay to rest. They had a magical
love story of fairy tales. It was just amazing to see their love throughout the
museum. I am so honored to have been here to give them a moment of thanks for
all of the great memories and great things that they did for the citizens of
the United States of America.
They have a view of a beautiful garden and rolling
hills beyond.
Be sure to visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential
Library and Museum this summer before Vatican Splendors returns to Rome!
For more information:
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
40 Presidential Dr.
Simi Valley, CA 93065
Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. (closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day)
Tickets: General admission -
$29, Senior admission (62+) - $26, Youth admission (11-17) - $19, Child
admission (3-10) - $16, Children under 2 - free, Audio tour rental - $7, Active
Military – free (with valid Military ID – Active military do not need to
reserve tickets online. All walk-ups will receive Museum entry. Their guests
must pre-purchase their tickets.)
Parking: Free private lot
parking. When full, visitors will need to park on Presidential Drive and
shuttle busses will take you to the Library entrance.
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