Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Texas Bucket List: George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum (Again)

My Texas Bucket List began taking shape shortly after we arrived in College Station. At first the list consisted of only a few touristy day trips and experiences (think Six Flags, SeaWorld, etc.) I'd thought of or heard about prior to our move. But as we made new friends, especially new friends who grew up in Texas, we learned from them about the lesser-known - at least to Midwesterners - but not-to-miss sights and sounds of the Lone Star State.

Each time I cross something off my Texas Bucket List I document it here, both because Chasing Roots serves as my Texas journal and because looking back on these posts and "watching" our love affair, if you will, with our now-home state unfold is a beautiful thing.

You can see my full - but ever-growing - Texas Bucket List here. Feel free to let me know what I'm still missing!

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As I imagine is the case for most Bryan/College Station residents, we've visited the George H. W. Bush Library and Museum quite a few times. I can't say for certain how many times exactly, but at the very least, I know we've toured the museum once as a family; I've taken Tom's grandparents, Tom's parents and grandma, and my parents, all on separate occasions; and both kids have gone on school field trips. It's a fantastic museum, and I've both enjoyed it's offerings - the permanent as well as the rotating exhibits - and learned something new every time I've visited. 

Will solving the world's crises in the situation room.

Hallie reading in Mrs. Bush's library for children.

I also wrote an article for Texas Living about the
three Presidential Libraries and Museums in Texas.


I was nine years old when our country elected President Bush. I paid absolutely no attention to politics back then, and still today only somewhat understand his contributions to our country's political landscape. I can't say if I would have voted for him. I can't say if I would have agreed with him. But I can say that I believe him to have been a good person. Each time I walked the museum's exhibits I found myself acknowledging not what an accomplished politician he was, but what an accomplished human being he was. A kind and generous man with a heart for family and a commitment to service. 

When President Bush passed away, we stood in the rain on a little patch of grass to the side of the road - just as we had done seven months prior when his wife, Barbara, passed away - and paid our respects as he made one final journey across his home state of Texas. We also visited the small cemetery behind the museum, where they were laid to rest.

Shortly thereafter, news broke that President Bush's museum would build a new pavilion where a retired Marine One helicopter and the Union Pacific 4141 Locomotive would be housed and on display for the public to view. I knew we'd visit the museum again to see these additions, and we did so on the 4th.

The museum generously does not charge admission annually on July 4th (and the pavilion is always open and free to the public during regular museum hours), so we were able to see everything the museum has to offer at no cost.




Getting to see - up close and personal - these pieces of our country's history (indoors... 🌞) was a great way to spend part of our holiday.

We ended our 4th of July at the first annual I Heart America Celebration hosted by the City of College Station at Wolf Pen Creek Park. It was insanely hot when Hallie and I arrived at about 7:40pm, but by the time the boys got there at 8:30pm, we were no longer miserable. We didn't take advantage of the food trucks or free watermelon and sausages on a stick (Hallie and I had come straight from the movie theater, where we'd eaten our weight in popcorn), but we did enjoy the band - All Hat, No Cadillac - and thought both the drone show (despite it's technical difficulties at the end) and fireworks were excellent. If we're in town next year, we'll definitely attend again!












Happy belated 4th of July, friends. I hope you and yours had a great celebration!

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