Volume 2, Number 4       August 2008       

A Message from the Friends Chair Bob Keith: Read this exciting newsletter and encourage your friends and family members to join your “Friends of LBJ” and participate in all of the events and benefits offered.  In these times of financial stress on many of us, these parks and programs offer many ‘cost-effective’ and durable opportunities that provide both a momentary and life-time benefit to us of all ages.  Enjoy not only of being a part, but taking a part.  Join us; visit us!

A Message from Park Superintendent Russ Whitlock: August 2008 may prove to be one of the more significant months in the history of this national park site.  Nearly 35 years ago, when President and Mrs. Johnson donated the LBJ Ranch to the people of the United States, I have to think they spent a moment visualizing what the “opening day” would be like. 

On August 27^th when we open the President’s restored office to the public we hope to begin fulfilling another dream of the Johnsons.  As members of the Friends will see during the August 24^th reception, a step into the presidential office is an opportunity to go back to a very different time.  In the now quiet space surrounded by items that survive life, I can visualize the President gathered around his large desk surrounded by advisors and trusted friends diligently working on policy and legislation to create a “great society” for America.

The items you’ll see are mostly original thanks to the foresight of Mrs. Johnson and the continuing support of Luci Johnson and Lynda Robb, two of the founding members of the Friends.  But, this is only the first step as we prepare the Texas White House for tours.  Our skilled professional tradesmen are working with volunteers from around the region and the state to correctly and respectfully restore, conserve, and prepare the airplane hangar, the United States Secret Service command post, and the Texas White House to an accurate representation of their 1960’s look and condition.

Many exciting projects and opportunities are in the works and we’ll keep you posted.

Summertime Movies Under the Stars: This Saturday evening the park will host the last movie on the LBJ Ranch for the summer.  Guess Whose Coming to Dinner will begin at dusk on the north side of the airplane hanger.  HEB is sponsoring the film showing projected on a twenty-four foot screen with stereo sound.  The last two movies have been enjoyed by hundreds and the public response has been very positive.  The LBJ Ranch gates open at 7 PM and everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic supper or snacks, blankets or lawn chairs, and a flashlight.  In addition to HEB’s sponsorship, Blue Bell Ice Cream will be serving up free goodies during the show and Coca Cola will provide complimentary soft drinks and water.

The LBJ Ranch Movies Under the Stars has received recognition from online readers at shopacrosstexas.com organization.  Our event was named the Best Birthday Party Ever and Best Movie and a Picnic for 2008.

Friends of LBJ NHP Members Will Preview the President’s Office in the Texas White House 

The National Park Service, Friends of LBJ National Historical Park, and Western National Parks Association will sponsor a Friends Membership Cocktail Reception at the LBJ Ranch on Sunday, August 24^th, beginning at 5:00 PM.  This reception will allow the full Friends membership to gather and enjoy a very special tour of President Johnson’s 1960’s era restored office in the west wing of the Texas White House.  The Friends  Board has invited local, state, and federal elected officials and some special guests from the surrounding communities.  A silent auction will run during the reception to provide more funding for park educational and restoration projects. A special mailing (email and US Mail to those without emails) to the membership details the auction and descriptions are available on the Friends website.

Please note current members are encouraged to invite as their guests potential new members in the Friends of LBJ National Historical Park for this special event!

The office opens for public tours on the anniversary of President Johnson’s birth, August 27^th. 

National Park Begins Automobile Traffic Test Period on LBJ Ranch: The National Park Service (NPS) is in the process of amending the 1999 General Management Plan.  In the coming months, you will be receiving information on alternatives developed by the National Park Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department addressing vehicular and visitor access to the LBJ Ranch.  Russ believes the alternatives chosen in 1999 need to be reviewed and other alternatives considered.  Under the rules of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) all Federal undertakings must involve public input.  The NPS is looking for the best alternative that provides maximum access to the Ranch while protecting the irreplaceable resources. 

From August 27 through September 30 the LBJ Ranch will be open to private vehicular traffic when issued a no-charge permit at the LBJ State Park and Historic Site visitor center.

Assistance Needed to Prepare Texas White House: As the first step in preparing the Texas White House for restoration and opening to the public, the park’s museum staff will be cleaning and refreshing historic furnishings and historic wall and floor coverings.   This project is expected to last several months, beginning this summer.   Any Friends member who would like to assist with this project can volunteer for one work day or more.  Volunteers will be working in small groups of 2-3 people, each group lead by one of the park museum staff.   Workdays will be Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Training will be provided for handling, moving, and cleaning historic artifacts.  Contact park curator Virginia Kilby at 830-868-7128 ext 239 or virginia_kilby@nps.gov for more information or to put your name on the volunteer list.  You will be contacted when the project begins. 

Volunteer Assistance Sought to Provide Tours of the Texas White House: The park begins another phase of sharing President and Mrs. Johnson’s story on August 27^th.  As visitors come to partake in this story, park rangers and volunteers will conduct interpretive tours from the LBJ Ranch Hangar to the Texas White House and through the Presidential Office.  Any Friends member who would like to volunteer one day a month, a week or more to present these tours and assist park visitors is asked to contact the park volunteer coordinator Liz Lindig at 830-868-7128, ext. 231 or liz_lindig@nps.gov.  Training for conducting these interpretive tours will be provided and work days are from 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.  

Johnson City Beautification: The LBJ 100th Birthday and Sesquicentennial celebrations will bring a large number of visitors to our area and the TownScape Task Force is working to get Johnson City ready.

A Task Force campaign to Improve It, Paint It, Fix It kicked-off in April with a group of volunteers who painted the concrete facing to the parking area in front of the County Courthouse Annex.  What an improvement that was!  Then the JC Garden Club members joined in and restained the beautiful flower boxes on Main Street.  The next focus is on improving the appearance of the vacant buildings along Highway 290 and the Courthouse Square.

Have you seen photos of "Hometown Heroes" in the newspaper? These heroes were awarded  certificates in recognition of the improvements they have made to their property. More Hometown Hero awards are coming soon.

The Improve It, Paint It, Fix It campaign will be completed by August 27th, LBJ's 100th birthday. Co-Chairmen Norma Honeycutt and Suzanne Milner, and Publicity Chairman, Kelly Carper Polden encourage you to look around your own property to spot any areas you can improve, paint or fix.  You, too, can "Catch the Spirit" - that "can-do" spirit that the Friends of LBJ NHP embrace.  Email Norma (perkup@moment.net),  Suzanne (suzannegmilner@yahoo.com) or Kelly (kellycarpercommunications@yahoo.com) for information about the next Improve It, Paint It, Fix It activity. 

Mark Your 2009 Calendars!

The Board has already set a few dates for 2009.  The major spring events for next year are scheduled as follows:

March 28:        LBJ 100 Bike Ride and Luci Johnson Guided Ride are combined for 2009

April 17-18:     1960’s Event for High School and College Students with Saturday for the Public

May 2:             Barbeque on the LBJ Ranch recreating the 1964 event where President Johnson and Mexican

                       President-Elect Gustavo Diaz celebrated the shared border and history of the U.S. and Mexico .

Friends T-shirts - Need an extra Friends T-shirt or two? They are for sale at the Johnson City LBJ National Historical Park Visitor Center or online at www.FriendsofLBJNationalPark.org.  Cost is $15.