Forty-first President - 1989-1993
Born: June 12, 1924, in Milton, Massachusetts
Presidential library and museum: The George Bush
Presidential Library and Museum,
College Station, Texas
Admission to George Bush Presidential
Library and Museum: $7.00
On January 20, 1989, George Herbert Walker Bush became the first incumbent vice president to ascend to the presidency since Martin Van Buren in 1836. Mr. Bush continued to follow in Van Buren’s footsteps by losing his bid for a second term. On January 20, 1993, George Bush watched Bill Clinton take the oath of office and then retired to his adopted hometown of Houston, Texas. “It’s been one hell of a ride,” he told a crowd of five hundred people who arrived at the airport to welcome him home.
Since retiring, Mr. Bush has taken a few flying leaps—out of a plane. On March 25, 1997, George Bush began celebrating milestone birthdays by parachuting out of an airplane—this jump over the Arizona desert. After reaching the ground safely, he told reporters, “It was wonderful. I’m a new man. I go home exhilarated.” He jumped again, over his presidential library, for his eightieth birthday, and marked his eighty-fifth birthday, on June 12, 2009, with a jump over Maine.
As a World War II navy pilot, he had been forced to bail out of his crippled bomber, badly cutting himself and tearing his chute. The two crewmen with him died.
The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is located on the grounds of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas
The parachute Mr. Bush used for his jump during World War II can be seen, along with exhibits chronicling the life and times of the forty-first president, in the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas. The library and museum, located on ninety acres of the Texas A&M University campus, was dedicated on November 6, 1997. The library contains more than 40 million of President Bush’s papers. The museum features a model of George Bush’s Camp David office, displays some of the eighty thousand gifts received by the Bushes, and recreates key events from Bush’s White House years.
George and Barbara Bush plan to be buried at the library. Their tomb is already constructed, and located at the back of the library. Made from Texas limestone, it is surrounded by a wrought iron gate decorated with the Star of Texas.
Since leaving the White House, the former president and first lady have traveled to over forty-five countries and done extensive fundraising for charities. “There is no way Barbara and I can be happier in our private lives, none,” Mr. Bush has said. “After thirty years in politics, I don’t miss it.” But he is proud that his sons George W. and Jeb entered the political arena. “If it weren’t for [my sons’ public service], I might have some kind of itch, not about running again but maybe more involvement.”
With the 2000 election, George Bush entered the history books again, joining John Adams as the only presidents to have their sons elected to the presidency. On January 20, 2001, a teary-eyed George Herbert Walker Bush stood watching as his son, George W. Bush, took the oath of office on the west front of the U.S. Capitol.
Touring the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
This bridge leads to the site where George and Barbara Bush will be buried
The George Bush Library and Museum in College Station, Texas is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m. Admission to the museum is $7.00 for adults, $3.00 for students, $6.00 for senior citizens, and free for children under six.
To reach the library from Houston: Take I-45 North to Conroe. In Conroe, take 105 West to Navasota. From Navasota, follow Highway 6 North to Bryan/College Station. Take the Business 6/Texas Avenue exit. At the second light, take a left onto FM 2818. Go approximately four miles, then take a right onto George Bush Drive. The entrance to the Bush Library is on the left.
To reach the library from Dallas: Take I-45 South to Madisonville and take Route 21 West to Bryan/College Station. At the junction of Route 21 and FM 2818, take a left onto FM 2818. Continue on for approximately six miles, then turn left onto George Bush Drive. The entrance to the Bush Library is on the left.
For additional information
The George Bush Presidential Library
and Museum
1000 George Bush Drive West
College Station, TX 77845
Phone: (979) 691-4000
Fax: (979) 691-4050
TTY: (979) 691-4091
www.bushlibrary.tamu.edu
This presidential seal marks the future gravesite