Ronald Wilson Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 6, 2004

Lieutenant Ronald Reagan and the U.S. Cavalry History and Hollywood Exhibit, At the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum; June 18

(View Nancy Reagan photo in PDF format)IMI VALLEY, Calif.) – In 1935, an up-and-coming Iowa-based radio sportscaster named Ronald Reagan decided to fulfill a life-long dream of riding horses by joining the 14th Cavalry. Stationed in Des Moines and accepting candidates for officers in the U.S. Army reserves, the Cavalry offered the 24-year old Reagan the best training in horsemanship possible.

Lieutenant Ronald Reagan and the U.S. Cavalry – History and Hollywood, a new exhibition designed and staged by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, will not only trace the story of Second Lieutenant Reagan, but will chronicle the men and their mounts that became part of national lore.
Opening on Saturday, June 18th, Lieutenant Ronald Reagan and the U.S. Cavalry will take an exciting look into the historical and Hollywood version of the horse and horse soldier in the American West, featuring incredible materials from private and public collections, including never-before exhibited artifacts and movie memorabilia. Saddles, uniforms, weapons, personal items, plus costumes, posters, and other film items used by John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, and legions of silver screen horse soldiers will bring alive a colorful chapter in American history.

“The United States Cavalry is an important chapter in the story of our military and how our country evolved,” said R. Duke Blackwood, executive director for the Ronald Reagan Library and Foundation. “This exhibit provides a remarkable educational tool for parents and children to recapture a part of American history.”

Lieutenant Ronald Reagan and the U.S. Cavalry will examine leadership in the military, including looking at the five U.S. presidents who served in the mounted service (Andrew Jackson, James Polk, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan) and other famous U.S. military officers who were cavalrymen, including Robert E. Lee, George Custer, and George Patton, Jr. An interactive discovery area will allow children to climb on riding saddles, try on cavalry uniforms and more.

The Reagan Library is located at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley, California. Public hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Museum admission fees are $7.00 for general admission, $5.00 for seniors 62 and over, $2 for children 11-17 and free for children 10 years of age and under. For more information, call (800) 410-8354.

SOURCE: reaganfoundation.org/ # # # Media Contacts: Melissa Giller, Public Relations;(805) 522-2977 Duke Blackwood, Library Director; (800) 410-8354