Sketches of Time: An Indian Architect’s Journey Through the Reagan Library
Step inside the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley—explore Air Force One, striking architecture, and a lifelike Reagan hologram.
The morning sun rises higher as I wind my way through the hills of Simi Valley, California, towards the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. As an Indian architect, artist, and traveller, I’m drawn to places where history, design, and storytelling intersect. Perched on a hilltop, with rolling landscapes and a faint shimmer of the Pacific Ocean in the distance, the library feels like a living canvas, ready to reveal its story.
A Landscape That Inspires
Spread over 100 acres, the estate sits in harmony with its natural surroundings—its architecture unobtrusive yet dignified. A replica of the White House Rose Garden greets visitors with vibrant blooms, leading to the memorial site of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. The design is understated, letting the emotional weight of the space speak for itself. I pause to sketch the scene, the engraving in stone carrying an unspoken hope.
Inside the Oval Office
The Oval Office replica is a lesson in balance and detail. The polished desk, the presidential seal, and the jar of jelly beans—Reagan’s playful trademark—offer a blend of authority and warmth. Light spills across the carpet in patterns worth capturing in a sketch. It’s a space where leadership feels tangible, yet human.
A Story in Galleries
Across 18 galleries, Reagan’s journey unfolds—from radio announcer to Hollywood actor, from governor to president. I try reading his inaugural address from a teleprompter; the rhythm of the words carries a weight that’s impossible to ignore. Around me, the exhibits weave together campaign posters, film reels, and personal notes. A vintage radio catches my eye—its curves echoing design elements I’ve admired in Indian heritage architecture.
The Majesty of Air Force One 
The Air Force One Pavilion is a highlight, especially for someone whose first fascination with the aircraft came through cinema. Growing up in India, I saw it on the big screen—Hollywood thrillers painting it as both a fortress and a stage for high drama.
Now, standing before the actual Boeing 707 (SAM 27000) that flew Reagan and six other presidents over 660,000 miles, I feel that same cinematic awe—only this time, it’s real.
Inside, narrow corridors lead to purposeful spaces:
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A modest conference room where leaders negotiated mid-flight.
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Private quarters for moments of rest between historic meetings.
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Secure communication systems tucked discreetly into the layout.
As an architect, I admire how prestige, security, and efficiency coexist in such a confined footprint—much like the compact ingenuity of India’s ancient palaces. As an artist, I’m drawn to its sleek form, sketching it against the high pavilion ceiling. Nearby, Marine One and the 1984 presidential limousine complete this portrait of presidential travel.
The Berlin Wall’s Presence
A towering section of the Berlin Wall stands in quiet defiance—graffiti on one side, bare concrete on the other. It stirs echoes of India’s own histories of division and unity. My pencil follows its weathered surface, as Reagan’s 1987 words—“Tear down this wall!”—seem to ripple through the air.
A Living Hologram
A Reagan hologram appears in another gallery, his voice warm, his gestures natural. It feels like a brief personal audience—one that sparks ideas about blending technology and storytelling in my own creative work.
https://youtu.be/Wd2247uy6Wo?si=B0FkOylZfQESJQcn
A Moment to Reflect
At Reagan’s Country Café, I find a table by the window, lunch served with sweeping hilltop views. I flip through my sketchbook, my day’s drawings capturing both architecture and emotion. Downstairs, the Ronald Reagan Pub—a recreation of one he visited in Ireland—adds an unexpected global connection.
Plan Your Visit
The library is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Entry is $16 for adults, $13 for seniors, $9 for students, and free for children under 3, with discounts for veterans. Timed tickets for the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit can be booked at www.reaganlibrary.gov.
For an architect, artist, or traveller, this is more than a museum—it’s a place where history is spatial, tangible, and deeply human.
© 2025 Ar. Pallavi Vasekar. All rights reserved.
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