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Volume 4, Number 5, August 2010 Now available in PDF format with pictures. Click Newsletter Volume 4, Number 4, June 2010 A Message from the Friends Board The Friends Board wants to acknowledge and recognize once again the membership in providing support for the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Some recent examples are described in this newsletter, but in addition to these, the generous backing of the membership has allowed the following to be accomplished in 2010 to date: * Landscaping improvements at the Visitor Center in Johnson City ($667) * Reflections of the 60s, with guest speakers, attended by over 200 high school students and adults ($1600) * Service contract and termite treatment for the Boyhood Home ($2311) * Initial relocation of LBJ's JetStar aircraft, prior to restoration work ($3185) These activities, and others described below, would not have been possible without your confidence in and assistance toward our mission, and the board is deeply grateful. A Message from Park Superintendent Russ Whitlock I had a wonderful surprise the other day. I serve as an advisor on the Blanco Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Relations with the Blanco Chamber have been very positive and mutually beneficial over the past year, and I'm enjoying working with the motivated members of the board. At the last monthly meeting the Chamber President presented me with a membership application and check to join the Friends of the park. I was so touched that they, like several community groups in Johnson City and Blanco County, decided to help support us in our mission. Many young workers are experiencing the National Park Service up close and personal this summer. The park has hired several college-aged maintenance and ranger temporary employees to help us work toward our goals. The summer seasonal work programs are an excellent way to introduce potential employees to the national parks. June also marks the beginning of the 2010 Youth Conservation Corps program. For eight weeks a crew of 15 to 17 year olds will work alongside these seasonal employees and our permanent staff to paint, pull invasive and exotic plants, clear pastures and maintain the historic landscapes. Many permanent employees of the National Park Service started their careers as teenagers working summer jobs. Appreciation Barbeque for Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club and LBJ 100 Volunteers Western National Parks Association, the Friends, and the National Park Service sponsored a barbeque on June 5th to demonstrate our appreciation to the Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club (HCBTC) and volunteers who made the 2010 LBJ100 Bicycle Tour a great success. The Friends cleared over $23,000 from the event and saw over 1000 cyclists cross the finish line. Each year the event continues to grow, and with the help of the HCBTC folks and many local volunteers, we will be better every year. Funds raised Friends of LBJNHP, P. O. Box 1831, 100 Lady Bird Lane, Johnson City, TX 78636 www.FriendsofLBJNationalPark.org Page 2 of 3 from the bike ride go directly in support of educational programs and historic preservation work in the park. Once again, thank you to all members who supported the event, gave of your time, rode in the ride, and believe in the mission of our national historical park. To preserve and share with the public the historic properties and the life and legacy of Lyndon B. Johnson. Big Numbers We have to go back to the mid-1980's to find visitor numbers similar to our experience this spring. These numbers are for visitors who toured the Texas White House: March: 16,608 April: 20,488 May: 10,412 Park visitors continue to give high-marks for the tours and appearance of the grounds and structures in Johnson City and the LBJ Ranch. Hangar Enlargement In the last Newsletter we told you that the Brown Foundation had awarded the Friends $100,000 to use toward expansion of the Airplane Hangar on the ranch. Stan Klein, son of the Johnson's maintenance foreman, Lawrence Klein, has agreed to provide the Friends and National Park Service with architectural drawings. The concept is for a room to extend from the original hangar structure under the raised hangar door. The approximate 800 square feet addition will allow significant space for additional historic objects and exhibits. Movies Under the Stars National park personnel reported over 160 visitors enjoyed "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" on Saturday night, June 5th. The movie was originally shown in the airplane hangar by President and Mrs. Johnson for invited guests and local residents. The next movies are "To Kill a Mockingbird" on July 10 and "Planet of the Apes" on August 14. The National Park Service sets up an outdoor screen measuring 18' x 25' on the grass just north of the Texas White House. Visitors are allowed an opportunity to enjoy a movie that played on the ranch under the huge starry Texas sky. The movies usually begin about 8:30 PM. Visitors are invited to bring lounge chairs or blankets, picnics, and their favorite beverage. Prior to the movie they may walk the grounds of the Texas White House and experience the "magic" of twilight on the ranch. In September, the national historical park will host a movie in Johnson City. As a service to the community, the Friends, Western National Parks Association, and the National Park Service are showing the original "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in town the evening of September 25th. We'll let you know the start time as we get closer to the date. Boyhood Home Has a Fresh Coat of Paint Some of our local members may have noticed that the LBJ Boyhood Home had been looking a bit "shabby." We inquired of the park superintendent and discovered that an AmeriCorps team began preparing the house for a new paint job in February. They got the house sanded and started priming the wood when those wonderful rains started. However, the rain and cold never allowed them to finish. With the help of some talented volunteers, National Park Service maintenance personnel applied the finishing touches. We're happy to report the house is a beautiful cream color now. We remembered the house being whiter. The National Park Service conducted thorough research and checked original paint samples, and found the historic color of the house to be the cream color you see now. Lockheed JetStar C-140B(VC) Progress Update With financial assistance from the Friends, the historic aircraft has left Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson and made its way to Kingman, AZ. Straube Aircraft Services is restoring the exterior of the JetStar to its historic appearance as President Johnson knew the plane flying in and out of the LBJ Ranch. The park superintendent has informed the Friends Board that he would like to have an official unveiling and media event on August 27th, the day marking the 102nd anniversary of President Johnson's birth. The empty JetStar shelter on the tarmac north of the airplane hangar is generating many questions and excitement from our visitors. We'll keep you posted on the restoration progress. Follow the Friends and the Park on Facebook Weekly we are posting pictures and articles about the park on our Facebook page. Become a fan of the Friends on Facebook, and you'll receive automatic updates when new pictures or links are added to the page. Some of the latest additions are pictures of the 2010 LBJ100 Bicycle Tour, as well as updated photos of on-going projects. Barbeque on the Pedernales We have secured the Bret Graham band to provide music at the annual barbeque. Bret has been with us since the first event in 2008 and is looking forward to bringing his country swing back to the LBJ Ranch on October 23rd. The Director of the LBJ Library, Mark Updegrove, is going to be a guest speaker and we have more entertainment in the works. We are happy to work with our partners at Western National Parks Association and the National Park Service to provide the good time and reflection on the past. We will provide additional information about the event in our next newsletter, due out in mid-August, but please mark your calendars now. We are expecting to have some extra, extra special guests in attendance that you would not want to miss. Volume 4, Number 3, April 2010 A Message from the Friends Board March was a very exciting month for the Friends of Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. First, we received the very good news that The Brown Foundation, Inc., of Houston, had funded our proposal for expansion of the LBJ Ranch Hangar. Next, we had the most successful LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour in the three years it has been held. The Board extends our deepest appreciation to all who have helped make March so successful for the support the LBJ National Historical Park. A Message from Park Superintendent Russ Whitlock I'm glad the Friends Board elected to follow the March newsletter so quickly. There are so many to thank for the 2010 LBJ100 Bicycle Tour. So many individuals have shared with me their impressions of the lively environment in the park. Just as the attractive appearance and condition of structures and landscapes takes lots of effort, the life in a park doesn't just happen. So many came together to make the 2010 LBJ100 the best yet! Many volunteers and supporters never saw each other. We arrived at different times, took position at our assigned locations, and provided services to our participants. From the feedback I'm hearing, you all did an outstanding job. The reputation and expectations for a quality experience in our national historical park is derived from the efforts of many. Take pride in your contributions and volunteerism and THANK YOU for all you do to keep our park alive and "not a sterile relic of the past". LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour Report March 27: the sun is rising, the breeze is light and cool, and excitement is building along the LBJ Ranch airstrip. Vehicle traffic is backed up from the airstrip to the Junction School as cyclists enter the park for the 9:00 AM start. A Fredericksburg High School choral group performs the Star Spangled Banner, Luci welcomes everyone and the 2010 bicycle tour begins. Cyclists ride through beautiful hill country roads as the sun warms. Along the route they are cared for by ham radio operators, professional bicycle maintenance companies, volunteers supplying water, Gatorade, sandwiches, fruit, and pickle juice. At the end of the ride a great lunch awaits them. It was a great day to experience the park and the hill country. Over $24,500 was netted from the event and the Friends will keep you posted on how we are investing those dollars in park programs and restoration efforts. Brown Foundation Grant A media release was sent to local and regional media outlets this week announcing receipt of a grant from the Brown Foundation, Inc. of Houston in support of ranch hangar expansion plans. The award matches a financial commitment from the Friends Board and the National Park Service, as well as, donated engineering and architectural services. The hangar expansion will create a central information location on the LBJ Ranch that will serve as a comprehensive introductory experience for visitors touring the restored Texas White House. The historic airplane hangar is currently being used by park visitors to view limited exhibits and videos about the Johnson family and the LBJ Ranch. The goal is to expand the hangar to accommodate many more exhibits and historic artifacts that are currently stored due to lack of exhibit space, so that they full story of the significance of the LBJ Ranch during the time of Johnson family occupancy will be revealed to visitors. Plans call for the expansion project to begin during the summer of 2011. "Reflections of the 1960's" For the third year, authors, educators and period experts will gather on the LBJ Ranch to share their memories and research with junior and senior high school students on April 16. The students will gather near the Texas White House to hear speakers discuss civil rights, Vietnam, and the impact of President Johnson on the world. Speakers include Tom Striegler, Army artillery officer 1966-1968, Allen Clark, author of "Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior", and Wilhelmina Delco, the first African-American woman elected to the Texas Legislature. The event includes a 1960's car show, music of the era, and an evening showing of the movie "Forrest Gump". For more information call 830-868-7128 ext. 244 or check the park's website: www.nps.gov/lyjo Follow the Friends and the Park on Facebook Weekly we are posting pictures and articles about the park on our facebook page. Become a fan of the Friends on facebook and you'll receive automatic updates when new pictures or links are added to the page. There are pictures of the LBJ100 bicycle tour on the page as well as updated photos of projects on-going. Den Becomes the Sixth Room of Texas White House Open for Tours With support from the Friends, the park opened the den of the historic Texas White House to public tours in March. The public continues to delight in the opportunity to see the historic home returned to the look of the 1960's. National Park Service Takes Possession of Lockheed Jetstar Chief Ranger Gus Sanchez and Superintendent Russ Whitlock were in Tucson, AZ. on April 12 to receive a 1961 Lockheed JetStar, C-140B(VC) from the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The plane will sit on the grounds of the Pima Air and Space Museum for two weeks awaiting the contractor who will dis- assemble the aircraft and transport it to the Straube aircraft restoration facility in Kingman, AZ. We hope our financial support will allow the aircraft to be on exhibit by the anniversary of President Johnson's birthday, August 27. Volume 4, Number 2, March 2010 A Message from the Friends Board As seen on page 3 of this newsletter, the Friends are in the midst of preparations for the Third Annual LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour, our major fundraiser. At this time, the Board of Directors for the Friends of Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (LBJ NHP) want to give tribute to the many people who make this event possible. We begin with the membership and officers of the Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club (HCBTC). In late 2007, the club, without hesitation, accepted the offer proposed by Superintendent Russ Whitlock to co-sponsor the tour with the Friends, the park and the Western National Parks Association. In the first two years, the event has grown from 423 to 864 riders, including the 82 who signed up the day of the ride in 2009 in 30 degree temperatures and high wind gusts. We already have over 500 riders for the 2010 LBJ 100, with several days remaining until the ride. HCBTC also organizes and coordinates publicity and promotion; food and refreshment services; communications with support and gear (SAG) volunteers via the Hill Country Amateur Radio Club of Kerrville, who are also volunteering and traveling by auto on the bike routes; and the Blanco and Gillespie County Sheriff offices. HCBTC asks only for reimbursement of direct expenses incurred by their membership for the event. Last year, the net to the Friends was over $18,000! The list of product and financial donors for the ride also increases each year, and those for 2010 may be seen via the websites www.lbj100bicycletour.org or www.FriendsofLBJNationalPark.org under Activities. Next, what a debt of gratitude the Friends owe the LBJ NHP Park Service Staff! Many of the personnel work extra hours and have extra duties the weekend of the ride. Their efforts include delivery of ice chests, coolers, tables, chairs, and pop-up canopies to the rest stops, and re-supply of ice and water as needed; coordination of safety and protection for riders and visitors to the ranch; furnishing tents, tables and chairs for the registration and food serving areas; handling automobile traffic and parking; providing golf carts for those non-riders who need transportation; tours of the Texas White House, free-of-charge for the participants and their guests; set-up and take-down of directional signs at highway, ranch road and park road intersections; and, providing information and assistance to the hundreds of visitors to our own National Historical Park on ride day. And our deep appreciation goes to the Friends membership, those who faithfully provide vital support to the mission and objectives of the Friends organization, both financially and as volunteers. Heading the list are Luci Baines Johnson and Ian Turpin, who first conceived of a bike tour of the LBJ Ranch and the LBJ national and state parks, and who have welcomed the riders and have been the tour leaders each year. Our most sincere thanks to all of you! - The Board of Directors, Friends of LBJ National Historical Park A Message from Park Superintendent Russ Whitlock It seems we were just packing away the Christmas decorations and here it is springtime. What a wonderful time to visit and explore your national parks. The heavens have smiled upon us this winter; the rains have broken the drought and the fields and roadways are covered with wildflower plants preparing for a memorable display. I believe the park staff is psyched about the thousands of visitors we will greet and serve in these coming months. By the first of April the park's airplane hangar visitor information and exhibit center should be reopened with steel I-beams safely supporting the new drop ceiling suspended above a new tile floor. The new Davis/Bailey Road project on the ranch should be completed this month. The addition of 2/10 mile of asphalt will allow us to make the Texas White House buildings complex pedestrian only and vehicle traffic will have a one-way driving route around ranch roads. There are many projects, inside and out, occurring in both the Johnson City and LBJ Ranch districts of the park. Please come out, snoop around a little, and take a look at the evolving park you support. Americorps The park was very fortunate to have received five weeks of donated labor from eleven young men and women working toward college tuition funding. The National Civilian Conservation Corps (NCCC) was formed by President Clinton based on ideas of the Peace Corps and the depression era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Our team scraped and sanded old paint from the President's Boyhood Home and front fence, painted interior walls and features of the park's Johnson City visitor center and headquarters building, cleaned and reorganized storage facilities in Johnson City, animal-proofed foundation problems of buildings in the Johnson Settlement, assisted in landscaping, and gave the Event Center a good spring cleaning. We will certainly apply for future Americorps teams as they provided over 2500 hours of labor that enabled us to make significant progress on our "to do" list in Johnson City. For more information on Americorps go to the website www.americorps.gov. Incredible Volunteers The park and Friends group are the grateful beneficiaries of thousands of hours of volunteer service provided in support of interpretation, education, research, and historic preservation. Last week, the park staff recognized the Volunteer-In-Park staff at a celebratory breakfast in the park's Event Center. Superintendent Russ Whitlock and members of the staff spoke repeatedly of their appreciation for the countless ways they supplement our programs and make the park better. The work of our volunteers have touched visitors leaving them with a positive experience in the park, cataloged and prepared artifacts donated to the park from the Johnson family, repaired historic structures and modified others for new uses, and restored historic farm equipment, readying it for display in the LBJ Ranch Show Barn. The Friends Board of Directors adds their thanks and gratitude to these talented and giving individuals. Our park's programs and special events would not occur with the continuing support of our membership and local citizens. Thank you to all who make our national historical park "shine"! Speaking of Volunteers The Friends Board would like to offer their thanks and appreciation to board member Peggy Welch, Friends members, David and Susan Hamm, and Erik Espinoza (an employee of Bob Keith), who spent several days in February clearing brush, preparing beds, and installing new plants around the national historical park's Johnson City Visitor Center. Superintendent Russ Whitlock stated, "At times, I may get used to seeing the grounds a certain way, but interested and motivated citizens can make a big difference in our 'outside look,' preparing us for the onslaught of spring visitors. Thank you!" Mentioned here and in the previous sections are just some of the many ways the National Park Service and our visitors are enjoying an ever-improving park. Excitement Builds for LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour, March 27 The Friends Board of Directors, Friends members, volunteers, Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club, Western National Parks Association and park staff are deep into preparations for the Third Annual LBJ 100. On Saturday, March 27, we hope to welcome over 1,000 bicycle riders and supporters to the LBJ Ranch to participate in the fundraiser ride. The event includes a bicycle tour of the ranch by Luci Johnson at 2:00 PM. This is the largest fundraiser for the Friends, and the event is garnering support from many regional businesses, Chambers of Commerce, and local individuals. It is a sight to see hundreds of cyclists lined up on the historic ranch airstrip ready for the ride. There is no better way to continue living the words of President and Mrs. Johnson when they said, "All the world is welcome here." The website for the event is www.lbj100bicycletour.org, or www.FriendsofLBJNationalPark.org, under Activities. "Reflections of the 1960's" Program, April 16 Come and remember the 1960s at the historic LBJ Ranch. Authors, educators and period experts will meet for lectures and book signings focusing on LBJ's legacy and the significance of the 1960s. Visitors will gather near the Texas White House to hear speakers on topics such as Civil Rights, Vietnam, and the impact President Lyndon B. Johnson had on the 1960s and the world. Speakers include: Tom Striegler, U. S. Army artillery officer in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968; Allen Clark, Vietnam Veteran and Author of Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior; Wilhelmina Delco, the first African-American Texas State Representative for the Texas Legislative District 50; and other dignitaries. Books will be available through Western National Parks Association at the author signing. The event will also include 1960s classic cars, 1960s music, and will continue into the evening with an outdoor screening of "Forrest Gump," under the stars at the LBJ Ranch. For more information please call 830-868-7128, ext. 244, or on the web at www.nps.gov/lyjo. Follow the Friends and the Park on Facebook Weekly we are posting pictures and articles about the park on our Facebook Page. Become a fan of the Friends on Facebook and you'll receive automatic updates when new pictures or links are added to the page. There is nothing like pictures to tell our story, and you'll see many projects in the works throughout the park. Park Prepares to Open Another Room in the Texas White House With support from the Friends, the park will open the den of the historic Texas White House to public tours in March. This will be the sixth room on the tour. The public continues to delight in the opportunity to see the historic home returned to the look of the 1960's. Interpretive rangers regularly report very positive comments on how nice the house looks, and the pleasant "step back in time" visitors say they experience. |
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