We welcome school groups up to 60 people at a time. If your group has 15 or more, a reservation is required. Here are some details to review before your visit.
Field Trip Groups
- Due to staffing issues, we cannot guarantee the availability of guided tours or classroom experiences. We will contact you regarding availability no more than four (4) weeks prior to your visit. Self-guided tours are still available.
- Groups smaller than 15 or larger than 60: Please contact us before submitting the tour form.
- Grade Range: Pre-K-12. Please see Group Visits for more information.
- Chaperones: One adult, 18 or older, is required per eight students.
Scheduling
- Type of tours: Guided or self-guided:
- For a guided tour, we require a minimum of four weeks advance notice.
- For a self-guided tour, we require a minimum of three weeks advance notice.
- We are unable to accommodate tour reservations outside of those advance notice times.
- Tours generally last 90 minutes, but vary depending on grade and type of tour.
- Immersive Classroom Experiences will add more time to your trip. To ensure your visit is adequate for your needs, please reference the time requirements for the specific classroom activity you are interested in.
- Please consider transition times (check-in & payment, movement from Library Tour to Classroom Activity, restroom breaks, etc.) when scheduling the time you are visiting the LBJ Library.
- Example:
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1.5 hour guided tour of the LBJ Library
+ 15 minute restroom & movement break
+ “Election Collection” immersive classroom experience (45 minutes)
= 2.5 hours needed
Cost:
- To reserve a tour, please read the information above and then fill out our school tour request form.
- Students, faculty, and staff: Free
- Additional chaperones: $7 per person
Make a Field Trip Reservation:
- To reserve a tour, please fill out our school tour request form.
Tour Options
Little Citizens Tour
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This tour lasts 60 minutes.
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The President is a citizen just like you & me. On this docent-led tour, our little citizens will examine the role they have in the community and nation while exploring what citizenship means at all levels. Using the presidency of Lyndon Johnson, students will explore the LBJ Library, discuss the role of the President, and better understand the role they have as a citizen.
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Developmentally designed for young learners, this tour covers many of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Kindergarten through 3rd grade.
Presidential Tour
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This tour will last 60-90 minutes.
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Learn about the life and times of our 36th President, Lyndon Baines Johnson, and the era of his administration - the turbulent 1960s. Your experience can be customized based on areas of interest.
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The Presidential Tour is a docent-led or self-guided tour.
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This tour is designed for grades 4 and up.
Immersive Classroom Experiences
White House China
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This activity lasts 30-45 minutes
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In this docent-led activity in our LBJ classroom, students will discuss the history of the famed White House China and see replicas from several Presidents. Participants will then be tasked with creating their own presidential design and menu for a State dinner.
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This is available for Kindergarten through 3rd grade groups and can be combined with the Little Citizens Tour.
Election Collection
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The activity lasts 45-60 minutes
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Presidential elections are an important piece of history and civic participation. During this activity, participants will analyze election memorabilia from the 1964 election between Lyndon B. Johnson and Barry Goldwater.
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This is appropriate for students of all ages (elementary through high school).
A Civil Rights Investigation: Mississippi Burning
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This activity lasts 60 minutes
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During this guided discussion, participants will investigate the disappearance of three Civil Rights workers in Mississippi during the Freedom Summer of 1964 using telephone conversations, oral histories and documents from the LBJ Library archives.
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This is appropriate for high school and above.
Introduction to Holdings
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Participants will learn about the history of presidential libraries and will be introduced to the LBJ Library’s rich archival holdings and museum collection. An education specialist will also give a brief overview of how to conduct research at the library, as well as go over the resources available to conduct research online.
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This is appropriate for upper high school through adult groups.
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This activity lasts 60 minutes
The Spy’s Dilemma
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This activity lasts 60-75 minutes.
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This is appropriate for upper elementary through high school students.
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"The Spy’s Dilemma" allows you to become a Cold War spy for the Soviet Union while accessing the documents from the LBJ Library. Participants collaborate in this hands-on experiential activity to help their government gain information from the United States in the 1960s. Participants will analyze, interpret, and evaluate documents to save their lives and avoid being sent to a Soviet gulag.
Vietnam: A Presidential Decision
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In "Vietnam: A Presidential Decision," participants will assume one of 10 roles in the Johnson administration--either President Johnson or a member of the President's National Security Council and other invited specialists. The task is to become familiar with pertinent documents and advise the president on whether or not to escalate the bombing in Vietnam during the summer of 1965.
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This is appropriate for high school through adult groups.
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This activity lasts 90 minutes.
Beyond the Wildflowers: The Lasting Legacy of Lady Bird Johnson
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Lady Bird Johnson’s name and legacy are synonymous with wildflowers and the environment, however Mrs. Johnson’s role as First Lady stretched far beyond her love for nature. From her 1964 Whistle Stop Campaign to her visits to impoverished areas of Appalachia and role in creating Head Start, Lady Bird Johnson frequently promoted and furthered the reach of President Johnson’s policies and programs across the country, while also spearheading her own campaign for environmental legislation. Through the use of rich primary sources, including audio recordings of Lady Bird’s diary, participants will see the many ways in which Lady Bird Johnson supported her husband throughout his political career, and ultimately played a key role in molding President Johnson’s legacy.
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This is appropriate for high school through adult groups.
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This activity lasts 60 minutes.
The Gates of Opportunity: Voting Rights
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The United States has always struggled with the opportunity for all citizens to vote. From race to gender to proof of citizenship, the nation’s eras of enfranchisement has been one of debate and Constitutional examination. Students will work in groups to examine the history of voting rights throughout the history of the United States, from the Constitution to today through primary sources and discussion.
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This is appropriate for middle school students and above.
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This activity lasts 60 minutes.
The Archives Experience
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This activity lasts 90 minutes.
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Participants will learn about the history of presidential libraries and will be introduced to the LBJ Library’s rich archival holdings and museum collection. An education specialist will give a brief overview of how to conduct research at the library, as well as go over the resources available to conduct research online. Participants will be given the opportunity to simulate the research experience by exploring through reproduction archival boxes or digital archive files.
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This is appropriate for upper high school students and above.
Bus Scholarships
Let us cover your field trip transportation costs! Made possible through the generous support of our Amplify Austin donors, bus scholarships are available for economically disadvantaged Pre-K-12 grade schools through the school year. Transportation costs up to $250 may be reimbursed.
Tips and Guidelines for your Visit
Tips & Guidelines
Make sure your field trip is smooth sailing! Review details for the day of your visit.
Go Virtual
Can't make it to the Library? No problem!
Virtual Field Trip
Take a virtual field trip through the Library's museum exhibitions. Listen to telephone conversations, watch historic film footage, and see key documents from President Johnson's time in office.
Our Sponsors
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