Travels with Larry: George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
By Larry Peters, Copper Development Association Project Manager & Architectural Applications Specialist

I recently stumbled upon the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum while in Dallas, Texas.  It was my first time visiting a presidential library.  I?ve come to the conclusion that the Presidential Library concept is the United States National Archives and Records Administration?s way to ?clean out the attic? after a president leaves office.  The libraries store millions of documents and gifts the president receives throughout his term when visiting other countries.
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is located on the campus of Southern Methodist University (SMU), former First Lady Laura Bush?s alma mater.  In regards to the design of the library, Mrs. Bush told the Dallas Morning News, “We did not want this to be monumental like some other libraries are. We’re very aware that the presidents are men. They are people. We wanted it to be human in scale.” Robert A.M. Stern, the library?s architect, designed the 226,000 square feet modern and environmentally responsible building to fit into the SMU campus?s neoclassicism style, as well as Mrs. Bush?s very clear modern vision for the library. She wanted the library to reflect the fact that her husband was the first president of the new millennium.
The library is the first presidential library to receive the Le...