'History With The Bark Off': LBJ Presidential Library Celebrates 50 Years

[TexasTowelie]

On May 22, 1971 – 50 years ago this Saturday – a high-powered audience of politicians, religious leaders, educators and even Hollywood stars, gathered for the dedication of the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin. Then-President Richard Nixon led the honors for his predecessor’s project.

Lyndon Baines Johnson’s would be the first presidential library located in Texas – the George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush libraries are in Dallas and College Station. The LBJ Library commemorate one of the most turbulent, consequential presidencies of the 20th century, and, in the mold of its namesake, it was the first really big, grand facility of its kind to be built.

The 1971 dedication took place on an outdoor platform, just south of the new library.

"President Nixon was there. President Johnson's cabinet was there. Gov. John Connally was there. Dr. Billy Graham was there,” said Ben Barnes, who was Texas' lieutenant governor at the time He’s now vice chair of the LBJ Foundation.

Nixon spoke first, accepting the new library on behalf of the American people – presidential libraries are built with private funds, but operated by the National Archives, Johnson rose to acknowledge his achievement – a massive 10-story structure that then held 31 million pages of archives – it's up to 45 million pages, today, including papers given by Johnson associates and members of his government.

Read more: https://www.kut.org/life-arts/2021-05-24/history-with-the-bark-off-lbj-presidential-library-celebrates-50-years

[Paladin]

1. Site of one of my most cherished college memories.

I was in a small band at the library opening ceremony that day, playing while the various dignitaries walked past to the speakers' platform. During a break, former Vice President Hubert Humphrey came by, and, just for the hell of it, I flashed him a UT "Hook 'em Horns" hand-and-fingers sign. Humphrey smiled, and returned a two-fingered "V" peace sign. Getting into it, I shook my head in disagreement---at which point, Humphrey came to a full stop, looking at me. I gave him the "Hook 'em" sign again, and he very carefully re-arranged his fingers, then he looked at me with an "Is this how you do it?" expression on his face. I nodded and smiled, he smiled back, and continued his walk. Pretty good stuff, for a college junior.

[TexasTowelie]

2. Wow, I'm envious!

I debated as to whether to post the thread since the story is a few days old, but I'm glad to read an account from someone who was there in the flesh. Thanks for sharing.

I visited the library twice when I was young, as a primary school student and then in high school when I went to state U.I.L. events.

[Paladin]

3. They don't make politicians like "the happy warrior" any more.

And our nation is infinitely poorer for it.

Thanks for posting this. Fifty years sure seem to have gone by in a hurry.