In Texas we were lucky to visit the Texas White House. It is part of a 700 acre park donated by the late President. The cost of the ranger led tour was a reasonable $3 each and we were the only ones on it as it was the last tour of the day. The house was quite small and furnished as it was during LBJ's presidency with the exception of Lady Byrd's room who requested it be kept as it was after her death in 2008. What I thought interesting was how the house was so normal in the size of the lounge, bedrooms, dining room and kitchen. It was interesting to hear about his life and how he passed more legislation then any other president. Sad to hear how he died of a third heart attack on his bedroom floor. The museum was interesting you could listed to taped phonecall conversations with dignitaries and day to day activities during his presidency. It also was interesting to see the friendship stone signatures of dignitaries who visited the house. It took us about an hour to drive around the park and the house tour.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park will take you on a tour of the " Texas White House " as the FBI refereed to it. The house has remained the same as when Lady Byrd lived there till her death. There is a small fee for the house tour and only so many people per group so you are able to enjoy the house. Three TV's and Phones in most all the rooms. Also on the grounds as you drive through the park is the cemetery where the Johnson's are buried with other family members.
This tour of the Johnson’s home was outstanding.We had a Park Ranger as our guide and she did a great job of explaining things about the home and the family.The entrance fee was very low.I highly recommend this tour after you drive through the park and ranch.
Part of it was self guided, around the estate. Then there was a guided tour inside the home. When finished, I felt like I really knew LBJ and his presidential experience.
We had the best tour guide that took us all through the house and told all the history. It was worth every penny of admission.
Nice day trip from San Antonio or Austin? Visit boyhood home in Johnson City and the ranch in Stonewall. Johnson Family Cemetery is located on the ranch, as well as the one room school house where he started school. Very interesting and informative. Well worth the trip. Audio cd to accompany the self drive tour of ranch well worth $10.00. Purchase of the CD/DVD also includes admission to the house.
The house looks as if LBJ could walk right thru the door. What ever your political affiliations are, this was a nice look back in time. The house is a very personal peek into the lives of LBJ and his family. There are plans to expand the tour to more areas of the house, I will definitely be back.
Just a fantastic place to visit and see how the Johnson's lived. Such a normal house for the President to have called home. Really great how they have saved and restored the 1960's look. The Ranger was superb and it is really worth the trip!
Having visited the Regan Library and Museum I found out about the Johnson equivalent so I decided to visit on my trip to San Antonio. It's about 75 miles from San Antonio via Johnson City, took me about 90 minutes or so to drive it. The location is about 15 miles outside Johnson City at a place called Stonewall, however, before leaving Johnson City don't forget to visit the NPS visitor centre which is actually near Johnson's boyhood home it has a wealth of exhibits and things relating to the president.Using the National Parks site I found all the information for the trip and the requirement to pick up a permit at the Visitor centre prior to driving onto the ranch itself, there is no charge for this though.Once the permit is obtained you are then left to drive to the ranch passing the Junction school at which Johnson was taught at the age of 4 and then his birth place, then the family burial plot which both the president and his wife are buried.The drive is paved and winds its way around the farm (its a working farm so you have to be wary of the cattle) passing the private airstrip and then onto the Texas White House itself, adjacent sits the aircraft hangar for AirForce one and a half, so called by Johnson himself.The guided tour around the Johnson family home is interesting and informative, the secret service base is adjacent. The ranger who gave our tour explained the background of the building and the many artifacts that the Johnson's had in their home,I would definately recommend a visit, not only is it interesting historically but the setting in the wonderful Texas Hill country is also added bonus.
LBJ loved phones and TV's. The house tour is ranger lead and you get your tickets at the airport hanger, they're three dollars each and they run pretty regularly during the hours the park is open. It's a good window into LBJ as seeing the home gives you a more human picture of the president. I've done many tours with rangers and they always love their jobs and give great tours, they're smart, informative, and their passion shines through.