History

Soon after President Johnson's election victory in 1964, discussions about establishing a presidential library for him began. In February 1965, William H. Heath, chairman of the Board of Regents at the University of Texas at Austin, proposed the construction of the library and the establishment of the Johnson School of Public Affairs on campus. On September 6, 1966, the agreement was formally signed. Unlike previous Presidential libraries, which were funded entirely by private donations, the University of Texas paid $15 million of the $18 million required to construct the complex and...

Lady Bird Lake, a Colorado River reservoir, is nestled in stark contrast to the cosmopolitan buildings that surround it. It was originally named 'Town Lake' and was built in 1960 to serve as a cooling pond for a power plant. When the plant was decommissioned in 2007, the lake was renamed Lady Bird Lake. Its glassy waters are now a recreational haven. Lady Bird Lake is surrounded by emerald groves, winding trails, Zilker Park, and the revitalizing Barton Springs. Kayaking, canoeing, rowing, paddle boarding, and fishing are just a few of the exciting activities available on the lake. Lady Bird...