The Museum of the American Presidency is located in a room of the library at Clairemont High School. We have been open for three years and are about to enter our fifth year of work and preparation. We display only authentic items. Though the twentieth century dominates the collection, we do have several dozen items from the 18th century and hundreds from the nineteenth century. There is no museum facility anywhere that attempts to collect or display a comprehensive collection of those artifacts evocative of our democratic tradition. While individuals collect memorabilia, those items are seldom for public display. There is a significant need for these materials to be housed, cared for and displayed where they can make the broadest public impact.

Our museum-school partnership pays off for both institutions. The school's mandate is to teach, and one of the best lessons a teacher can impart to a student is how that person can continue to learn throughout a lifetime. Museums are a shrine to lifelong learning. They preserve our history in ways that can be appreciated by those who visit them. Our school has set as one of it's four main goals, the fostering of students who are "responsible global citizens". One can hardly become a citizen of the world without first living responsibly as a citizen of this country. Our Museum of the American Presidency helps students take the full measure of the privilege and responsibility of citizenship. Our collection is evocative of the honor, intelligence, charisma and humor with which presidents have led our country over the past 200 years.

We have students engaged in research, both academic and practical. We have joined the American Assn. of Museums and the American Political Items Collectors. Students have written and telephoned to secure in-kind donations from hundreds of people amounting to over $40,000. Students have worked to clear and remodel the museum room in the school library. Students won the contribution from Home Depot at the corporate level that has enabled us to complete the remodel of our present museum facility.

We have an audience of over 100,000 students just in our district. As a public school, we have a responsibility to earn and keep the public trust. Our goal of total education is lofty but purposeful. I hope that the idea appeals to you.