BYGONE ERA: (clockwise from top left) The living room of the home, furnished with authentic and actual items, shows the way a growing 1950s family spent time together; the home’s bright, airy kitchen has been as carefully restored as the rest of the home — right down to the period turquoise refrigerator, the child’s high chair and countertop appli- ances; in 2014 George W. Bush toured the home with FOX News correspondent Greta Van Susteren and other journal- ists — his third visit to the restored site.
been made from 1956 to 2000. As a residence fully restored to its mid–’50s state, the home is a valuable addition to the preservation record of mid-century history. Nationally, few homes
of this era have been restored to Department of the Interior standards, and no other from that decade in connection with presidential history. The Bush family’s legacy includes vol- unteering at the hospital, teaching Sunday school at First Presbyterian Church, serving on the PTA of Sam Houston Elementary School and raising funds for the city’s first YMCA building and first Midland Symphony Orchestra. George H. W. Bush helped establish Little League base- ball in Midland, served on several boards and chaired what later became the local United Way. Barbara was in the Women’s League and was a den mother for George’s Cub Scout pack. A gift shop across the street from the house offers a variety of T-shirts, polos, postcards, posters and caps, as well as souvenir replicas of 1950s toys — and, in keeping with Laura Bush’s commitment to literacy, books for all ages. Another perk for the younger set is that every third Thursday, docents read to children in the Visitor’s Center.
Did You Know? Since the restored George W. Bush Childhood Home opened to the public in 2006, it was welcomed more than 60,000 visi- tors, including guests from 80 countries and all U.S. states.
•
George W. Bush Childhood Home
1412 West Ohio Ave., Midland, TX 79701 (432) 685-1112
bushchildhoodhome.org
Guided tours provided by dedicated volunteers are available 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tues.–Sat. and 2–5 p.m. Sun.
(Tours are given until 4:30 p.m.)
For third Thursday Laura Bush Literary Program readings, call (423) 685-1112 for reservations.
VISIT MIDLAND
visitmidlandtexas.com
1956, Oct. 22 Marvin Pierce Bush born.
1957–59
George W. Bush attends San Jacinto High School in Midland.
1975 After graduation from college, a stint in the Air National Guard, and graduate school, George W. Bush returns to Midland to pursue a career in the oil industry.
1977
George W. Bush marries Laura Welch, with whom he had attended junior high school in Midland but to whom he was rein- troduced as an adult by mutual friends.
1988
George H. W. Bush elected 41st presi- dent of U.S.
1994
George W. Bush first elected governor of Texas.
1995
Laura Bush chairs first Texas Book Festival.
1998
Jeb Bush first elected governor of Florida.
2000
George W. Bush elected 43rd presi- dent of U.S.
SPRING 2016
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GEORGE W. BUSH CHILDHOOD HOME
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