ShareThisWearing gloves, Rob Zucca, an exhibition specialist at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, Calif., carefully turned the pages of a condolence book from President Reagan's state funeral in 2004.
The condolence book was filled with the signatures of dignitaries and political figures, including former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, former President George W. Bush and ex-first lady Laura Bush.
The book lay alongside many other items, including several cartoon drawings Ronald Reagan personally sketched while in office.
"(Reagan) was a pretty darn good artist," Zucca said.
The items are among some never-before-seen artifacts from Reagan's life that will be on display after the renovation of the library's museum galleries next year.
While the rest of the library will remain open to the public during the renovations, scheduled to begin in the spring, part of the exhibit galleries will close, reopening in 2011 to coincide with what would have been Reagan's 100th birthday on Feb. 6.
In addition to displaying Reagan artifacts and presidential gifts, the 26,400-square-foot renovated space also will include new interactive exhibits.
"The renovation will be a wonderful birthday president for Ronnie," said former first lady Nancy Reagan, who said she was pleased that the rest of the library will remain open during the work.
Melissa Giller, communications director for the library, said she received many phone calls recently from people thinking the entire center was closing during the renovation of the museum galleries. "The library will always be open, and events and speakers will go on like usual and as scheduled," Giller said.
Among other areas, the library's Air Force One Pavilion, Oval Office replica, outdoor grounds, research room, museum store and two cafes will be open during the construction. Some parts of the exhibit area will remain open.
Giller said one of Nancy Reagan's favorite exhibits, the White House Miniature, will be on display during the renovation. The miniature, an authentic re-creation of the White House, will be on display starting March 15.
"It's a really big deal. Wherever it goes, it draws huge crowds," Giller said.
Items that will be part of the new exhibit area include legislation President Obama signed in June honoring Reagan's 100th birthday, along with the silver pen he used to sign it.
In another private room on the library grounds, John Heubusch, executive director of the library, unveiled the initial plans for the renovation of what he called "the new Reagan museum."
"Since the library opened in 1991, much has been learned about President Reagan, including from his diaries and through technology we didn't have almost 20 years ago. (The library's board of directors) thought this new information should be included here, especially for the president's 100th birthday," Heubusch said.
Heubusch said the exhibits will be in chronological order, from Reagan's early years before he was president to his funeral
Some of the exhibits will be interactive, including a WHO radio booth, where visitors can read the ticker tape like a young Reagan did as a radio announcer, or take the oath of office like Reagan did on inauguration day. Another room will allow visitors to pretend they're in a Hollywood film with Reagan during his actor days. Visitors can take home recordings and pictures of their experiences.
In another exhibit, visitors can walk through a replica of the Berlin Wall, where they can peek through cracks in the wall and see what life was like for the people of East Berlin.
Other rooms will focus on the assassination attempt on Reagan's life in 1981 and the public memorial following his death in 2004.
Nancy Reagan will also get an area of her own.
Heubusch said the exhibits will end on a high note, with an area dedicated to Reagan's best one-liners and iconic images.
The total cost of the project isn't known because plans are still being finalized. He said the cost, which will run into the several millions, is coming completely from private donations, not government funds.
"You'll leave this exhibit with a genuine feel of what a great president Ronald Reagan was," Heubusch said.
For more information on the renovation and the miniature White House display, go to http://www.reaganfoundation.org.
(Michele Willer-Allred is a reporter for the Ventura County Star in California.)
