The Diary of Friedrich Kellner

Friday April 1, 2005 to Monday May 30, 2005

This exhibit examined the diary of Friedrich Kellner, a political activist from Mainz, Germany, who sided with the Social Democrats and campaigned against the Nazi Party. When Hitler came to power and sought revenge against his political opponents, Friedrich Kellner moved his family to the small town of Laubach where he became the chief justice inspector in the district courthouse. He had access to police and prosecutors' records and trial documents. His open declarations against the miscarriages of justice caused him to be brought before a tribunal and threatened with imprisonment in a concentration camp. After that he spent his nights writing in a secret diary, at risk to his life, decrying the militarism of his countrymen and the insanity of their totalitarian leader.

Commemorating September 11th

Saturday September 11, 2004 to Sunday November 14, 2004

For the third anniversary remembering September 11, the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum unveiled a section of steel from the World Trade Center towers donated by the Texas Engineering Extension Service's elite urban search and rescue team, Texas Task Force 1. The steel structural beam, weighed in excess of 2,000 pounds. The exhibit, Commemorating September 11th, showcased photographs, artifacts and personal effects from the state's renowned urban search and rescue team.

As the world stood in shock from the devastating terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C., seventy-two members of College Station-based Texas Task Force 1 prepared for deployment to New York City and spent seven days working 12-hour shifts at the World Trade Center site.

Fashioning Art: Handbags by Judith Leiber

Friday January 23, 2004 to Friday April 30, 2004

This exhibit, organized by the Corcoran Gallery of Art, showcased the work of handbag designer Judith Leiber. For more than 30 years, a Judith Leiber handbag has stood for the ultimate in craftsmanship and design. Judith Leiber bags have graced the arms of numerous First Ladies, including Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Rodham Clinton and most recently, Laura Bush.

Treasures of China

Saturday August 30, 2003 to Sunday January 4, 2004

This unique exhibit juxtaposed contemporary Chinese art with its ancient counterparts. Thirty exotic paintings by Dominic Lam and Yang Jin Long surrounded Neolithic pottery, Tang sculpture, and intricate jade carvings. Visitors saw how the sensuous lines, exquisite color and a deft mastery of subject matter seen in Chinese art of the past, continue to inspire major Chinese artists of today.

Keith Ferris

Friday August 15, 2003 to Sunday January 4, 2004

The paintings of Keith Ferris were the focus of this exhibit that explored the world of aviation dating back to the 1930's.

Legends of the West

Saturday February 1, 2003 to Saturday July 5, 2003

This exhibit explored the spirit of the West that would forever change our history and our culture as a nation. It also inspired a young George Bush to come to Midland, Texas in 1948. It examined the art and culture of our nation's Western heritage through American art, history and cultural artifacts.

After 9/11

Saturday November 9, 2002 to Sunday April 13, 2003

This exhibit highlighted the worldwide outpouring of sympathy and condolences left at American embassies and consulates. The artifacts are set against a stunning collection of post 9/11 photographs from Ground Zero. The exhibit included 28 of over 7000 images taken by photographer Joel Meyerowitz who was working under sponsorship of the Museum of the City of New York.

Freedom’s Journey

Wednesday August 14, 2002 to Sunday January 5, 2003

This exhibit featured select documents from our Founding Fathers, including a 1749 entry from Ben Franklin’s, Poor Richard's Almanack, the last remaining original announcement of the Boston Tea Party, a 1776 edition of Thomas Paine’s, Common Sense, the sash worn by John Hancock in the Revolutionary War, and a broadside copy of the 1836 Republic of Texas Declaration of Independence.

Fathers and Sons: Two Families, Four Presidents

Monday March 11, 2002 to Wednesday July 31, 2002

This exhibit explored the relationship between the only two sets of fathers and sons to serve as U.S. Presidents: John Adams and John Quincy Adams and George Bush and George W. Bush. The exhibit traced the extraordinary careers and lives of these four individuals who held the highest elected office in our land.

White House in Miniature

Monday November 19, 2001 to Tuesday February 19, 2002

There is nothing miniature about the White House model that was part of an exhibit at the library from 2001-2002. At fifty-five feet long and twenty feet wide, this replica of the White House has drawn record-breaking crowds all over the country. The Zweifel family, with the blessings of the White House, has devoted thirty years of their lives researching, executing, moving and maintaining this extraordinary gift to the people of the United States.