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Fred Smith - Family Memories

Frederick C. Smith, a career civil servant with the Department of Defense, talks about his project to visit all thirteen of the nation’s Presidential Libraries and Museums. He was inspired to do so after being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008. His journey began with visits to the twelve Library's managed by NARA (the National Archives and Records Administration), and finished with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield in April 2010. He reflects on the unique aspects of each library & museum, and share his insights on these national treasures.​​

Interview Links

Abstract

Interview (Audio)

Touring the nation's Presidential Libraries

Transcript

Videos

Photos

Caption

Fred Smith stands next to a statue of Ronald Reagan at the Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California in December of 2009.

Where:

Simi Valley, California

When:

December of 2009

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

Reagan’s ‘Air Force One’ sits in a hanger with a spectacular view of the valley below. This exhibit was a highlight of Smith’s visit to the Reagan Library & Museum in Simi Valley, California.

Where:

Simi Valley, California

When:

December of 2009

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

Fred Smith visits the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum at Yorba Linda, California in December 2009.

Where:

Yorba Linda, California

When:

December 2009

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

Fred Smith stands in front of the Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, California.

Where:

Yorba Linda, California

When:

December of 2009

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

Entrance to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California.

Where:

Yorba Linda, California

When:

December of 2009

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

Fred Smith stands at the entrance to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California.

Where:

Yorba Linda, California

When:

December 2009

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

Fred Smith’s friend and traveling companion, General (Ret) Jack Sheehan, stands near the entrance to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas. The two visited this and the Carter Library in January, 2010.

Where:

Little Rock, Arkansas

When:

January, 2010

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

Jack Sheehan and Fred Smith stand in the Clinton Museum’s version of the Oval Office during their trip to the Clinton Museum in Little Rock.

Where:

Little Rock, Arkansas

When:

January, 2010

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

The photo of the George Bush Library and Museum in College Station, Texas, was taken by Bill Smith during his visit in February, 2010.

Where:

College Station, Texas

When:

February, 2010

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

The LBJ Library and Museum, located on the University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas. Fred Smith visited the museum in February, 2010.

Where:

Austin, Texas

When:

February, 2010

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

Fred Smith’s personal photo of the entrance to the LBJ Library and Museum, located adjacent to the football stadium on the University of Texas campus.

Where:

Austin, Texas

When:

February, 2010

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, located in Grand Rapids Michigan. Fred Smith visited the Ford Museum in March, 2010.

Where:

Grand Rapids, Michigan

When:

March, 2010

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

Fred Smith stands next to the gravesite for President Gerald R. Ford, located next to the Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Where:

Grand Rapids, Michigan

When:

Unknown

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

Carol Gray, Fred Smith’s cousin and a resident of Grand Rapids, Michigan, stands in front of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.

Where:

Grand Rapids, Michigan

When:

Unknown

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo