Travel With Annita and Friends

Destination: President’s Day Little Known Presidential Stories

February 7
40 mins

Episode Description

Destination: President’s Day
Little Known Presidential Stories

For President’s Day, it’s the perfect time to share a few ” President’s Day Little Known Presidential stories – some funny and some will have you saying, “I didn’t know that.”

Take a listen to the show filled with stories. And, start planning a journey to see the many Presidential sites, monuments, libraries and childhood homes around the country.

Presidential U.S. Mint Coin and Medals

U.S. Mint creates commemorative coins and medals for each of our Presidents. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt medal features a side profile of the president.

      2015 Presidential Dollar Coin Lyndon B. Johnson Some coins are not circulated while others are. This commemorative coin features the 36th president and his term from 1963-1969.

2015 Presidential Dollar Coin features Harry S. Truman our 33rd president from 1945-1953. Listen to the recording to hear a very funny story about him and his library.

President Woodrow Wilson is featured on a U.S. Mint Commemorative Coin. The story of his youth and Georgia boyhood home are featured on the show. Take a listen.

Presidential Libraries & Museums
These are the official archival libraries and museums that preserve each president’s papers, artifacts, and exhibits on their life and presidency. 

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum
Location: West Branch, Iowa
-Description: Museum & archives dedicated to President Hoover’s life and public service.
-Website: /https://hoover.archives.gov
-Hours: Vary seasonally; check website.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum
Location: Hyde Park, New York
-Description: America’s first presidential library, housing FDR’s papers and exhibits.
-Website: https://www.fdrlibrary.org
-Hours: Typically 10 am–5 pm (check site). 

Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum
-Location: Independence, Missouri
-Website: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov

Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home
-Location: Abilene, Kansas
-Website: https://www.eisenhower.archives.gov

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Website: https://www.jfklibrary.org

Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library & Museum
-Location: Austin, Texas
-Website: https://www.lbjlibrary.org

Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
-Location: Yorba Linda, California (plus materials at College Park, MD)
-Website: https://www.nixonlibrary.gov

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum-
Locations: Ann Arbor, MI (Library) & Grand Rapids, MI (Museum)
-Website: https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum
-Location: Atlanta, Georgia
-Website: https://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum
-Location: Simi Valley, California
-Website: https://www.reaganlibrary.gov

George Bush Presidential Library & Museum
-Location: College Station, Texas
-Website: https://www.bush41.org

William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
-Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
-Website: https://www.clintonlibrary.gov

George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum
-Location: Dallas, Texas
-Website: https://www.bushcenter.org

Barack Obama Presidential Library
-Location: Chicago, Illinois (Library in development)
-Website: https://www.obama.org/presidential-center

Presidential Homes, Birthplaces & Historic Sites
These are historic homes, childhood homes, parks, and national historic sites where presidents were born, raised, lived, studied, or shaped their early years. Many have guided tours, interpretive exhibits, and historical programs. 

Adams National Historical Park
Location: Quincy, Massachusetts
Description: Preserves the homes of Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams, plus family buildings.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/adam.   Hours: Seasonal; check NPS site. 

James K. Polk Home & Museum
Location: Columbia, Tennessee
Description: Home & museum of the 11th president; guided tours available.
Website: https://www.jameskpolk.com.    Hours: Vary by season. 

Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
Location: Plains, Georgia
Description: Comprehensive site including Carter’s residences, boyhood farm, school, and railroad depot.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/jica.    Hours: Typically daily; check online. 

James A. Garfield National Historic Site
Location: Mentor, Ohio
Description: Garfield’s estate and early presidential library.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/gafo     Hours: Seasonal; check NPS. 

The White House (Washington, D.C.)
Description: The People’s House and primary presidential residence. Public tours require advance reservations.
Website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/tours-events

Smithsonian National Museum of American History (Washington, D.C.)
Description: Exhibits on U.S. presidents, including Lincoln memorabilia and artifacts.
Website: https://americanhistory.si.edu

Roosevelt’s Little White House Historic Site (FDR’s Retreat)
Location: Warm Springs, Georgia
What you’ll experience: FDR’s personal retreat, museum exhibits, and the setting tied to his final days.
Hours: 9:00 a.m.–4:45 p.m. daily (last entry typically near closing); closed major holidays.
Website:  Visit Roosevelt’s Little White House Official Site

Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson
Location: Augusta, Georgia
What you’ll experience: Guided tours interpreting Wilson’s early life in the post–Civil War South.
Hours: Wednesday–Saturday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (tours on the hour; lunch closure typically 12–1).
Website:  Visit Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home Official Site

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Location: Staunton, Virginia
What you’ll experience: Museum, archives, and campus exploring Wilson’s life and presidency.
Hours: Typically 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (check site for weather closures or seasonal changes).
Website: https://www.woodrowwilson.org

George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Location: Mount Vernon, Virginia
What you’ll experience: Mansion, grounds, museum, and extensive interpretation including the enslaved community.
Hours:  Apr–Oct: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.  and  Nov–Mar: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Website: https://www.mountvernon.org

Monticello (Thomas Jefferson)
Location: Near Charlottesville, Virginia
What you’ll experience: Jefferson’s home, exhibitions, and major interpretation of slavery and plantation life.
Hours: Seasonal / variable — daily calendar posted online.
Website: https://www.monticello.org

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
What you’ll experience: Mansion tours, grounds, and museum interpretation of Jackson’s life and era.
Hours: Typically 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (last ticket ~3:00 p.m.).
Website: https://thehermitage.com

Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Location: Springfield, Illinois
What you’ll experience: Lincoln’s preserved neighborhood and ranger-guided home tours.
Hours: Visitor Center usually 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/liho

Harry S. Truman National Historic Site
Location: Independence, Missouri
What you’ll experience: Truman home tours plus related family and political sites.
Hours: Typically open Wednesday–Sunday (verify seasonal schedule).
Website: Visit Truman National Historic Site (NPS)

Eisenhower National Historic Site
Location: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
What you’ll experience: Eisenhower’s farm and interpretation of Cold War-era leadership and personal life.
Hours: Grounds generally sunrise–sunset (home tours seasonal).
Website: https://www.nps.gov/eise

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
Location: Manhattan, New York City
What you’ll experience: Recreated childhood home with guided tours and exhibits.
Hours: Visitor Center typically Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Website: Visit Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace (NPS)

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (TR Home)
Location: Oyster Bay, New York
What you’ll experience: Roosevelt’s “Summer White House,” museum exhibits, and grounds.
Hours: Grounds sunrise to sunset; museum and home tours scheduled (often reservation-based).
Website: https://www.nps.gov/sahi/index.htm

Presidential Homes & Residences (National Parks)

Lincoln Home National Historic Site
President: Abraham Lincoln

  • What you’ll experience: Lincoln’s only owned home; ranger-led tours of the house and neighborhood
  • Hours: Typically 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (free tickets required)
  • Website: https://www.nps.gov/liho

Harry S. Truman National Historic Site
President: Harry S. Truman

  • What you’ll experience: Truman’s longtime home and related buildings
  • Hours: Wed–Sun; seasonal variations
  • Website: https://www.nps.gov/hstr

Eisenhower National Historic Site
President: Dwight D. Eisenhower

  • What you’ll experience: Eisenhower’s farm, his “weekend White House”
  • Hours: Grounds open daily; house tours ticketed
  • Website: https://www.nps.gov/eise

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
President: Theodore Roosevelt

  • What you’ll experience: Reconstructed boyhood home with guided tours
  • Hours: Wed–Sun, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Website: https://www.nps.gov/thrb

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

  • President: Theodore Roosevelt
  • What you’ll experience: Roosevelt’s Long Island home and grounds
  • Hours: Grounds daily; house tours seasonal
  • Website: https://www.nps.gov/sahi

Presidential Memorials (National Parks)

Lincoln Memorial
President: Abraham Lincoln

Thomas Jefferson Memorial
President: Thomas Jefferson

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
President: FDR

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
President: Dwight D. Eisenhower

National Parks Named for Presidents

Theodore Roosevelt National Park
President: Theodore Roosevelt

  • What you’ll experience: Badlands landscapes that shaped Roosevelt’s conservation ethic. The only national park named directly for a president
  • Hours: Park open 24 hours (visitor centers vary)
  • Website: https://www.nps.gov/thro

Presidential Childhood & Early-Life Parks

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
President: Abraham Lincoln

  • What you’ll experience: Symbolic birthplace cabin and early family farm. You’ll see the frontier roots of a future president
  • Hours: Typically 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Website: https://www.nps.gov/abli

Planning Your Visit: Tips

  • Hours & Seasons: Many presidential homes or libraries have seasonal hours—especially historical homes—so always check the official site before travel.
  • Tickets & Tours: Popular places (The White House, Kennedy Library, Clinton Library) may require advance tickets or reservations.
  • Educational Programs: Many sites have living history programs, lectures, and school-friendly tours.
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