Hail To The Sheaves; Presidential Libraries Quiz

Answer: If he didn't like them, he could burn them

The Federal Records Act placed all presidential papers and non-print materials under the control of the government. Individual presidents could suggest that some documents receive more attention than others or be kept out of the public domain for a certain number of years, but once out of office, presidents no longer officially control their papers.

Answer: Theodore Roosevelt

In 1939, FDR's documents were placed in the first presidential library to be supported and maintained by the federal government. Prior to 1939, presidential papers were considered private property and former presidents could dispose of them in any way they desired. Theodore Roosevelt's papers are the property of Harvard University.

Answer: George Washington

Even though he believed his documents to be 'public property', Washington still intended to exercise control over them. He planned to house them at Mt. Vernon, but died before a suitable storage place could be constructed.

Answer: They were destroyed in a Richmond, Virginia fire in April 1865

Tyler left his documents to his son and two sons-in-law. At the outbreak of the Civil War, they felt that the papers would be better protected in Richmond than in Washington, DC. They were wrong. Other presidents who had their papers lost in fires were Zachary Taylor and William Henry Harrison.

Answer: Destroy them

Fortunately, Arthur's son did not entirely carry out his father's instructions. Many years later, Arthur's grandson discovered some of the president's documents in an old file cabinet. An official Chester A. Arthur Library has not been established and many Arthur documents have been purchased at public auctions.

Answer: If he wants to, he may donate them to the collection of the president under whom he served

Vice-presidential papers must still be maintained under congressional mandate, but the vice-president has the option of giving them to a presidential library or to an institution of his/her choosing.

Answer: Endowments and private donations

The first presidential library cost the government a little over $16,000 to build and maintain. As costs dramatically increased (the cost of building Bill Clinton's library in 2004 was $165 million) the government permitted library officials to accept donations of any amount and from any source.

A bill (HR 36, 2009) was drafted to remove some of the questionable aspects of this financial support such as unlimited amounts on donations and funding from foreign countries.

Answer: Truman

Harry Truman loved Key West. Starting in 1946, he visited the area eleven times for total of 174 days during his presidency. Films of his fishing prowess may be found in his Independence, Missouri, presidential library.

Answer: University of Texas, Austin

The library is located on the campus of the University of Texas in Austin. It contains over 40 million items, including books, manuscripts, interview records, audio-visual materials, and gifts to Johnson during his presidency.
There is also a full-size replica of the Oval Office, furnished with items used by LBJ.

Answer: Ronald Reagan

The magnificent pavilion built specially for Air Force One also features other forms of transportation used by Reagan, such as his limousine and cars used by the Secret Service. The 707 on display was used by presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.

The official name of the airplane is SAM 27000. Any military aircraft that carries the president is designated Air Force One; commercial aircraft used by the president are known as Executive One. Serving as a snack bar in the pavilion is the actual pub President Reagan visited in Ballyporeen, Ireland in 1984. Ballyporeen was Reagan's ancestral home.