School House to White House: The Education of the Presidents

Last weekend a new exhibit opened at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch. Titled "School House to White House: The Education of the Presidents," it's on my radar for a family trip because it focuses on the early education of American Presidents from Hoover through George W. Bush.

I think my two grade schoolers would be curious to see what future presidents did when they were in elementary school. They'll be able to see them as young sports stars, choir members and musicians. The exhibit, which includes documents and photos drawn from the collections of the National Archives Presidential Libraries, also follows the future presidents into colleges and military academies.

 

Herbert Hoover (lower left) and his Stanford Surveying Squad.


Among the highlights:

• Discover why John F. Kennedy missed 65 of the term’s 88 days in kindergarten.
• See Richard Nixon with his childhood violin, and read his 8th grade autobiography. 
  
• Read what Harry Truman wrote in middle school about “Courage.”
  
• Peek at report cards for Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson and Jimmy Carter.


• Learn which president, while in college, received offers to play professional football.

The exhibit will be on display through October 30, 2011.

Jessica O'Riley, Iowa Tourism Office