Presidential libraries are essentially repositories for the nation’s memory. Presidents leave the office with a significant amount of documentation behind, and some decide to build libraries to house that information.
These facilities tend to be beautiful monuments to their creators, showcasing original artwork and architecture while also serving as an educational hub for future generations. Here are 5 of the most gorgeous Presidential libraries in the country.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, the plantation home of George Washington, is perhaps the most iconic site for a Presidential library. Not only do many of America’s first presidents come from the state of Virginia, but it is at Mount Vernon that America’s first President lived and worked.
Mount Vernon has hosted numerous visitors over centuries and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The George Washington Birthplace National Monument, created by Congress, is the only federally operated unit of the National Park System and is located in the state of Virginia.
Mount Vernon is a National Historic Landmark and serves as a museum featuring the collection of artifacts and art pieces that Washington accumulated during his lifetime. The architecture and landscaping are exquisite, and the gardens are often a photographer’s paradise.
Mount Vernon has a small, but effective visitor’s center that serves as a great introduction to the plantation and the collection of artifacts. The main mansion buildings feature beautiful architecture and are interspersed with many gardens and wooded areas. Mount Vernon also has a small brewery that produces beer and spirits and a winery.
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
Thomas Jefferson had what is arguably the most famous home in America. Jefferson’s home, Monticello, is located in western Virginia. Monticello is one of the few remaining structures from the 18th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The plantation has been restored in a way that makes it feel completely authentic.
Jefferson’s original furnishings, artwork, and other possessions have been carefully restored and are in view for the public to see. Visitors can tour the house and grounds, have a lantern-lit dinner with friends and family, or participate in authentic-sounding activities such as “planting seeds,” but not “planting vegetables.”
Monticello has been a National Historic Landmark since 1966, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation has included it on its list of “11 Places To Visit Before You Die.” Jefferson designed the home to be a self-sufficient community, with the main house and gardens located on the lower terraces and the outbuildings and slave quarters on the upper terraces.
The home has been beautifully restored and is an architectural masterpiece. The gardens are also beautiful and blend seamlessly into the mountains, while at the same time they present an authentic view of a southern plantation-style home.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is located in the state of Illinois and features the collection of items that Lincoln collected during his lifetime. The library, which opened in 2005, is a beautiful, modern building that sits on the grounds of the restored home of the president.
In addition to the library, the grounds include a museum that features a variety of artifacts and memorabilia, as well as a restaurant and gift shop. The museum and library are open to the public, and the museum is a very popular place. The home of Abraham Lincoln is also a National Historic Landmark and one of the most visited sites in the country.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the home, where the rooms and exhibits are arranged much like they would have been during Lincoln’s lifetime. The home’s lawn is often filled with visitors, and it is a great place to take photos, or just soak in the atmosphere of the famous site.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park
Four Freedoms Park, located in New York City, is a 100-acre park dedicated to Franklin D. Roosevelt. The park features the first-ever Presidential Memorial in the United States, dedicated to Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech. The memorial is a 12-foot sculpture made of stone and steel.
The statue, titled “Four Freedoms,” is located in the center of the park and depicts the four freedoms that Roosevelt described. The park has multiple paths that wind throughout its woods and fields, and visitors can walk the paths and enjoy the views of the statue, or they can enjoy the open air of the central plaza.
Four Freedoms Park, like all of New York City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is also a National Historic Landmark. The park is conveniently located in Manhattan’s Central Park and is a great place for visitors to take in the city’s sights.
Dwight D. Eisenhower National Library and Museum
The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, located in Abilene, Kansas, is dedicated to the life and career of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower was a World War II general, president of Columbia University, and inspiration for West Point graduates.
The library and museum are located on the grounds of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Historic Site. The museum features artifacts and photographs of the general’s life, and the library houses an extensive collection of books, artifacts, and other items related to Eisenhower’s career.
The museum and library are both open to the public, and the museum is a very popular place. The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is a National Historic Landmark and receives a large number of visitors each year.
A museum is also a popular place for school groups as it is a great way to bring history lessons to life. Classes can visit the museum and then try to find out as much information as they can about the exhibits. The library and museum are also good ways for families to spend time together.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The library, museum, and park are all located on the grounds of the Kennedy estate. The Kennedy estate, called Hyannis Port, is an architecturally and historically significant site on Cape Cod in the state of Massachusetts.
The site also features a small museum that features artifacts from the Kennedy family. The library, museum, and park are free and open to the public. Hyannis Port is a National Historic Landmark, and it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park features a large grassy area called “The Park” that is often filled with visitors.
The Library and Museum are located on the Hyannis Port grounds, and they are a popular and beautiful place to visit. Visitors can walk the walking paths and enjoy the views of the water, or they can climb the steps and look out over the grassy park.
