On the University of Texas at Austin campus, the LBJ Presidential Library traces the life and presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th U.S. president. Exhibits cover civil rights legislation, the Great Society, the space race, the Vietnam War and the Kennedy assassination. You can step inside replicas of the Oval Office and Lady Bird Johnson’s office, see Johnson’s presidential limousine, and listen to recordings of his phone calls. Interactive displays and a gallery on immigration add more perspectives to a visit that usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
A library and museum on the UT campus
The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum is on the University of Texas at Austin campus at 2313 Red River St. It is dedicated to Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president of the United States, and to his wife, Lady Bird Johnson. The library opened in 1971 and is one of the country’s presidential libraries.
The ten-story building was designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft. Its Great Hall has a four-story glass view of the archives. The library holds 45 million pages of historical documents, as well as photographs, recordings and objects connected to the Johnsons and their time in public life. The museum’s exhibits translate that extensive collection into a route through Johnson’s personal and political story.
Presidential decisions and their consequences
The exhibits cover Johnson’s presidency and the major issues that shaped it. Displays address civil rights legislation, the Voting Rights Act, the Great Society, education, health care and the environment, alongside the space race and the Vietnam War. The Kennedy assassination is also covered, placing Johnson’s accession to the presidency in the context of a defining event of the era.
The museum presents both achievements and difficult chapters of Johnson’s years in office. The exhibits about the Great Society and civil rights sit alongside material on Vietnam, giving visitors a way to consider the breadth and tensions of his presidency. An exhibit about immigrants in America adds stories of communities and the histories and cultural objects they brought with them.
Objects, offices and recordings
Replicas of the Oval Office and Lady Bird Johnson’s office give a sense of the spaces associated with the presidency and the first lady’s work. Johnson’s presidential limousine is also on display. Other exhibits use objects and interactive elements to bring political history closer: pick up a telephone receiver to hear recordings of conversations Johnson had with political figures and others during his time in office.
An introductory film about Johnson’s vision for the Great Society is a useful starting point. The fourth-floor exhibits provide context on legislation and the major issues of the administration, so consider beginning there before moving through the other displays. The museum also includes interactive exhibits, including an animatronic representation of Johnson and a display connecting hip-hop with the broader story.
Planning your visit
Set aside about 1.5 to 2 hours to see the library and museum. If you have less time, focus on the fourth-floor exhibits, then choose the displays most relevant to your interests, such as civil rights, the Kennedy assassination or the space race. The introductory film can help orient you before you start exploring.
Admission is charged, and advance tickets are recommended. The available visit information notes discounted admission on Tuesdays; check the library’s current ticket details before setting out. The site has parking, a café and a gift shop. Its address is 2313 Red River St, on the University of Texas campus.
FAQ
How long do you need at the LBJ Presidential Library?
Plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours to go through the library and museum.
What can you see at the LBJ Presidential Library?
Exhibits cover Johnson’s life and presidency, including civil rights, the Great Society, the space race, Vietnam and the Kennedy assassination. You can also see replicas of the Oval Office and Lady Bird Johnson’s office, Johnson’s presidential limousine and interactive exhibits.
Is there an admission fee?
Admission is charged, and advance tickets are recommended. The available visit information notes discounted admission on Tuesdays; check current ticket details before visiting.
Where is the LBJ Presidential Library?
It is at 2313 Red River St on the University of Texas at Austin campus.
