The capital project to revitalize the core exhibition at the LBJ Presidential Library will take an integrated approach to updating museum storytelling and interactivity, deepening engagement with younger audiences, and broadening public participation. By weaving history and civics together, the initiative will help visitors understand the past and its relevance in today’s ever-evolving and often contentious conversations about government’s role in society.
A Call for Civic Literacy
The strength of our democracy depends on each new generation understanding our civic institutions, actively participating in civil society, and knowing our shared history. Yet, at a time of increasing political discord, distrust in government is rising, and national test scores in civics and history have fallen to record lows. The Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Foundation believes presidential libraries play a vital role in strengthening civic literacy. Through a bold renovation of our core exhibition, we will bring history to life with immersive exhibits and experiences that foster dialogue and inspire action on today’s pressing civic issues. This investment will illuminate a pivotal era in American history—when transformative policies were shaped through advocacy, bipartisan cooperation, and public engagement—giving visitors, especially students, a deeper understanding of government and their essential role in democracy.
The LBJ Presidential Library & Museum
Each year, over 100,000 people visit the LBJ Library to explore American history and the legacy of the Johnson Administration. As a leading historical archive of the 1960s, the Library documents the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the Great Society, alongside the landmark policies that defined LBJ’s presidency. It also serves as an educational hub, welcoming more than 12,500 students from over 200 schools annually to engage with its exhibits, programs, and initiatives.
The Project
The capital project to revitalize the core exhibition at the LBJ Presidential Library will take an integrated approach to updating museum storytelling and interactivity, deepening engagement with younger audiences, and broadening public participation. By weaving history and civics together, the initiative will help visitors not only understand the past but also recognize its relevance in today’s ever-evolving and often contentious conversations about government’s role in society.
The project will cost $4 million to complete. The National Archives and Records Administration will contribute $1.75 million, leaving a total fundraising target of $2.25 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with a target completion date in March 2026. To build support for this essential project, the LBJ Library has made donor recognition opportunities available, including exhibit naming opportunities, a donor wall, and VIP access to the grand opening reception.
Project Goals
The updated exhibition will enhance the visitor experience, connect history to contemporary issues, and strengthen civic learning as demonstrated by the following goals:
- Deepen Engagement and Understanding - The redesigned exhibition will present a more comprehensive narrative of LBJ’s presidency, exploring the challenges, strategies, and historical context behind his landmark legislation. It will highlight the role of civic movements, bipartisan cooperation, and the influence of Lady Bird Johnson. Enhancements will include expanded archival content, interactive features, and improved exhibit flow to better serve both self-guided visitors and guided tours.
- Make History Relevant Today - Visitors will be encouraged to draw connections between LBJ’s legacy and contemporary social and political issues. The exhibition will examine the lasting impact of Civil Rights and Great Society legislation, shifts in political dynamics since the 1960s, and ongoing debates about government’s role in shaping society.
- Advance Civic Literacy - The updated exhibition will align with current educational standards and incorporate interactive and audiovisual elements designed to engage diverse learning styles. It will illustrate the legislative process and the power and responsibilities of democratic participation. These enhancements will also support the LBJ Library’s education department in developing new curriculum resources and classroom activities for K-12 students and teachers.
Project Impact
A new immersive gallery dedicated to the Civil Rights movement and the legacy of Great Society legislation will offer more opportunities for interacting with first-hand archival accounts from people who played instrumental roles in this period, foster dialogue about the relationship between government and the public, and learn about the evolution of policies and programs that changed the course of our country.
The revitalized exhibition will create a more immersive experience, encouraging visitors to engage with LBJ’s presidency - and the man - in a meaningful way. Visitors will learn about LBJ's early life experiences and political career in Texas, and the motivations, personal characteristics, and political tactics that enabled the Johnson administration to pass landmark federal legislation, including the Voting Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act, Head Start, Pell Grants, Medicare, Medicaid and the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities, among other administrative achievements.
Gallery updates will delve into the monumental achievements and technological impact of the Space Program, looking closely at the innovations we still use courtesy of NASA, and explore the tumultous year of 1968 through milestones related to Vietnam, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and other key moments that contextualize LBJ’s decision not to run for reelection. Visitors will contemplate the emergence of political trends away from the Great Society and the lasting effects of the legislation on the American public.
