LBJ's Texas White House Opens

LBJ’s 100^th Celebrated with Public Opening of Texas White House Office

FREDERICKSBURG, TX --- On August 27, 2008, former United States President Lyndon B. Johnson would have celebrated his 100^th birthday.  In honor of this centennial milestone, LBJ National Historical Park and other LBJ-affiliated partners are planning events to help the public learn more about the nation’s 36^th president.  A highlight will be the opening of the president’s office at the Texas White House near Stonewall, Texas on August 27. 
           
Located on the grounds of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park near Stonewall, the Texas White House was Johnson’s personal residence.  The President and his wife, Lady Bird Johnson, donated their ranch to the American people in December 1972, to be administered by the National Park Service.  And for the first time, Johnson’ preserved home office will be open to the public to catch a very private glimpse into the life of this public figure. 

The office, which has been preserved since President Johnson’s death in 1973, will open to the public on August 27 to those interested in seeing how the “education president” lived.  Johnson was most notable for his passage of over 60 education bills.  Displayed in the office are two portraits of his beloved beagles, “Him” and “Her,” that were commissioned by Barbra Streisand and a saddle given to President Johnson by the President of Mexico. 

The LBJ ranch is within 20 miles of Johnson City.  Through donations, the Johnson family homes, including his grandparent’s reconstructed frontier settlement where Johnson was born, Johnson’s

childhood home, and the Stonewall ranch where he lived with Lady Bird and their daughters, have been

preserved to bring history and heritage to life.  The properties are considered to be the “physical

documentation of the origins, ancestry, and full life span of a President,” according to the National Park Service. 

Other activities planned throughout 2008 as part of LBJ’s centennial “Can Do” spirit celebration include a guided bicycle tour of the LBJ Ranch with Luci Baines Johnson on March 8; a Memorial Day tribute to Service in Vietnam; “Movies Under the Stars at the LBJ Ranch” in June, July and August; and Christmas lights at the LBJ Ranch.  For a complete itinerary of all dedication events and for further details, log on to the centennial website at www.lbj100.org.  The website will periodically be updated as more concrete details become available.

For a free packet of visitor information to plan your next visit to Fredericksburg and the LBJ Ranch region, call the Fredericksburg Convention & Visitor Bureau at 1-888-997-3600 or to book accommodations now visit www.FredTexLodging.com.

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