Private donors fund presidential library museums — and historians say that shapes what gets emphasized
Presidential libraries are shaped by the legacy of the presidents they honor, but historians and authors say the museums attached to these archives often present a selective version of history. While the archival records are managed by the National Archives and Records Administration, the museum exhibits are funded by private donors, who may prefer to highlight positive moments and downplay controversies.
Historian Douglas Brinkley, who has visited all post-Franklin D. Roosevelt libraries, noted that this dynamic can influence how history is presented. For example, the Herbert Hoover library’s website emphasizes that some New Deal policies were first proposed by Hoover, while the Richard Nixon library in California was the focus of disputes over how much attention should be given to the Watergate scandal.
Max Boot, author of a 2024 biography of Ronald Reagan, said the Reagan archives are managed professionally by federal employees, but the museum itself focuses on achievements and minimizes failures. Boot also noted that critical books about Reagan are not sold in the library bookstore.
Historian Ted Widmer, a former speechwriter for Bill Clinton, said there has been some progress toward transparency. He pointed to the Lyndon B. Johnson library in Austin, Texas, which has addressed Johnson’s handling of the Vietnam War and posted recordings related to his controversial 1948 Senate campaign. Widmer said it remains uncertain if future libraries will continue this trend, but he believes it is important for democracy to study history as it happened, not just a sanitized version.
President of the White House Historical Association calls Obama Center “majestic”
President of the White House Historical Association, Stewart McLaurin, joined Dana Kozlov on CBS News Chicago to share his first impressions of the Obama Presidential Center.
“Walking up to it today, it’s just majestic, the setting, the environment, the location, the things that will draw the community to this place,” McLaurin said. “The community activities and the setting are so unique here in this special place.”Â
The Obama Presidential Center is hours away from its grand opening
The grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center and Museum is just a few hours away.Â
The Jackson Park campus will open to the public tomorrow, but today hundreds of celebrities, politicians and dignitaries will gather for a ceremony and dedication celebrating the achievement.Â
The Obama Presidential Center has been more than a decade in the making. Here’s how we got here.Â
Street closures underway near Obama Presidential Center
Street closures are underway near the Obama Presidential Center as thousands are expected to gather for the opening ceremony.Â
Roads impacted by closures include areas near East 59th Street, East Midway Plaisance, and East 60th Street, East 61st Street and East 62nd Street.Â
To get to the ceremony, you can take the following CTA buses:Â
- No. 6 Jackson Park Express
- No. 10 downtown to 63rd and Stony
- No. 15 Jeffery localÂ
- No. 28 Stony IslandÂ
CTA buses to the center:Â
- Red and Green Lines to Garfield Boulevard, transfer to No. 55 bus
Final preparations underway at Obama Presidential Center
Dana Kozlov reports live as final preparations are underway at the Obama Presidential Center ahead of Thursday’s opening ceremony.Â
Thousands expected to gather for Obama Presidential Center opening
In just a few hours, thousands are expected to gather for the Obama Presidential Center’s grand opening ceremony. Last-minute preparations are underway, and Darius Johnson and Jackie Kostek are reporting live from near the center.Â
