'White House Years' opens at LBJ Library

AUSTIN (KXAN) - As of Monday, visitors to the LBJ Library and Museum can experience a new exhibit called "The White House Years," which showcases items from the Lyndon B. Johnson presidency.

Admission to and parking for the libary and museum are free.

The exhibit highlights include many gifts, some ancient and priceless, others humble and homemade, from foreign dignitaries. It includes jewelry, sculpture, ceremonial swords and alligator cowboy boots.

The 10th-floor exhibit also features artifacts and photos about life at the LBJ Ranch, where the president spent more than 1/5th of his time in office.

The library and museum is undergoing a $10 million major renovation and redesign, but visitors can still visit the store, as well as "The White House Years," which is located near the Oval Office exhibit and First Lady's Gallery.

Wildflower Center

Last week, the daughter of LBJ and Lady Bird, Luci Baines Johnson and her husband, Ian Turpin, announced they are giving $1 million to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for creation of a Family Garden in honor of the former first lady.

A groundbreaking for the garden will occur in the next year as part of celebrating the centennial of Lady Bird Johnson’s birth.

The Texas Legislature has declared 2012 Lady Bird Johnson Centennial Year , and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center also commemorates its 30th anniversary this year.

Reading room

The LBJ Library remains open for researchers, students, and the public during regular business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.