The Pat Nixon Gardens are in full bloom with stately splendor
The Richard Nixon Foundation today announced the launch of weekend tours of the Pat Nixon Gardens at the Nixon Library. Garden tours are included with regular admission to the Nixon Library on Saturdays and Sundays.
Featuring heirloom roses, formal garden spaces and a cottage garden surrounding the President’s Birthplace, visitors to the Gardens can enjoy a colorful landscape of flowers and plants with special ties to the Nixon family and American history.
The Gardens were originally designed by Emmett Wemple & Associates and opened to the public in 1990. The California Formal Garden centers on a 120’ by 25’ foot reflecting pool that was designed to showcase the stunning reflection of the birthplace and boyhood home of the 37th President.
The First Lady’s Rose Garden was made possible by a gift from Gavin and Ninetta Herbert, and dedicated to the Herbert family in 2010. Gavin Herbert Sr., is a Director Emeritus of the Richard Nixon Foundation Board and founder of Allergan Inc. and Roger’s Gardens.
The Pat Nixon Amphitheater was named in 1997 by legendary entertainer Bob Hope and his wife Dolores, who were close friends of the Nixon family. The Amphitheater, a scenic backdrop of seasonal color, has been host to more than 1,000 outdoor weddings since 1991.
First Lady Pat Nixon officially opened the White House Gardens for public tours starting in 1972, a time-honored tradition continued to this day. Mrs. Nixon expressed that the White House gardens were so beautiful, that they should be enjoyed by the public.
In 2013, over 200 Vietnam POWs reunited at the Nixon Library to honor the 40th anniversary of the White House dinner President and Mrs. Nixon hosted for their homecoming. Veterans’ Honor Roses were planted by the POWs to recognize their service.
The Richard Nixon Library Docent Guild, made up of more than 100 volunteers, will deliver tours of the Gardens on Saturdays 11:00am – 2:00pm and Sundays 12:00pm- 2:00pm now through September 30th. During the one-hour tour, visitors can stroll through the gardens, learn about Pat Nixon’s love of gardens and roses and see the California Pepper tree planted by Frank Nixon, father of President Nixon, in 1912. A highlight of the gardens, the First Lady’s Rose Garden includes roses named for Pat Nixon, Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush. Later this summer, the Billy Graham Rose will be installed in the Pat Nixon Gardens to honor the Reverend Billy Graham, a close friend of the Nixon family for six decades.
The Pat Nixon Gardens will feature special events this spring and summer, including a Succulent Garden Workshop on Sunday, May 20th and Roses and Rosé wine tasting’ on June 10th.
For more information regarding Garden Tours and Garden Events, contact the Library at (714) 993-5075.
