As America’s 250th birthday approaches, you had to know that the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum would do something awesome, because that’s just who they are.
I’ve been to the library on numerous occasions on behalf of RedState, and each time, it’s a powerful experience as you literally feel the gravitas all around you.
And now, opening on Friday, May 22, 2026, they’re bringing even more historical objects and paintings depicting our past in their “America 250” exhibition, which, they write, will serve “as both a reflection and a celebration of America’s story.”
I was lucky enough to see a preview of the exhibit on Wednesday, and our guides, Library Director Dr. Janet Tran and Programming Officer Melissa Giller, walked us through the stunning exhibits, which came from different periods in our history. They stressed the rarity of the collected pieces, not only coming to California but being exhibited together, many for the first time.
Things like Abraham Lincoln’s bloodstained gloves, which he was wearing on the night he was assassinated at the Ford Theater 161 years ago. A deeply sad moment, to be sure, but profound, especially in light of the increased, mostly leftist, violence we’ve been witnessing in recent years.
Also on display: the orchestra ticket stub Lincoln carried, along with locks of his and his family’s hair.
Another amazing relic of the Civil War era: an actual cannon that fired at Gettysburg, used by the Union to prevail in one of the most pivotal moments of the game-changing battle. They even displayed unused fuse boxes.
You can see the serial number in the barrel:
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There was plenty more, but another highlight was the John Trumbull paintings from his Revolutionary Series, which he began around 1784 with the encouragement of Thomas Jefferson. He became known as “Painter of the Revolution.”
They are quite large and stunning in person:
Our intrepid guides explained how he studied the faces of the individuals for his paintings when he could to get the details just right. He really worked to capture the heavy cost of warfare and the lives lost. Look at the expression and pallor of this dying combatant:
That’s just a sample of what we saw, but nowhere near a comprehensive list. Some items will rotate during the exhibit’s run, which runs through September 20; others will need to be returned, while new ones will be added. Among the must-see historical artifacts that are there for you to see:
- Benedict Arnold’s Oath of Allegiance to the United States;
- Alexander Hamilton's gold mourning ring containing a lock of George Washington's hair (only on display through June 19, 2026);
- George Washington’s surveyor tools and glasses (only on display through June 19, 2026);
- An American flag that was flown on the Apollo 11 mission;
- William J. Stone’s engraving of the Declaration of Independence;
- Lincoln’s “I Would Save the Union” letter;
- John Hancock’s letter to Elbridge Gerry from the night of Paul Revere’s ride;
- A letter giving an account of the Battle of Bunker Hill;
- Thomas Jefferson’s glasses and inkwell and pen;
- A three-volume set of “A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States”, inscribed by John Adams to Alexandre, Duc de La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt;
- A 1776 edition of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”;
- Revolutionary War officer’s uniform and spouse’s dress;
- An 18th-century American flag.
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This exhibit is profoundly moving, and I hope that if you happen to find yourself in Southern California, you get a chance to see it.
Although this article is mostly about the positive aspects of the experience, I would be remiss as a conservative political writer if I didn’t mention two things:
- Ronald Reagan was once the governor of California. As you walk around the hallowed grounds of his museum — where he and Nancy rest outside in peace together at a granite memorial site overlooking Simi Valley — you can’t help but notice the stark contrast between his powerful vision, patriotism and record of success compared to the current utterly failed caricature of a governor, Gavin Newsom, who has gone so far down a socialist path that he has led the formerly Golden State to the brink of ruination. I so wish Reagan were here to verbally slap him into next month.
And:
- There is no record that I can find of the newly opened Barack Obama
Death StarPresidential Library or Center holding any exhibits or events for the Semiquincentennial.
That pretty much tells you all you need to know about the nation's 44th president.
It was Ronald Reagan who made me realize I was “different.” I come from a liberal background, and everyone I knew thought he was stupid, evil, and just a B-movie actor cosplaying as president. I kept thinking to myself, “That’s not what I’m seeing or hearing. I’m hearing a patriot.”
He was right, and they were wrong. The Reagan Library team is ably carrying on his legacy, and I’m guessing he would be proud of how they’re celebrating America as our nation approaches the 250-year mark.
“I believe now, as I always have, that America's strength is in ‘We the People’.”
—President Ronald Reagan
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