Preserving the Legacy of the Reagan Ranch in an Age of Historical Revisionism

By Maddie Dermon, Assistant Curator at the Reagan Ranch

There is no better place to understand President Ronald Reagan’s character and principles than Rancho del Cielo. From the humble 1,884-square-foot home to the telephone pole fence built with his own hands, the Ranch represents President Reagan’s humility and dedication to hard work. Important events in Rancho del Cielo’s history, such as the signing of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 and a visit by former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, represent our 40th President’s commitment to free enterprise and international leadership.

When Young America’s Foundation purchased the Ranch from the Reagan family in 1998, we had a dual mission: to preserve not only the physical structures and artifacts of Rancho del Cielo, but also the legacy and character of President Reagan embodied by the 688-acre retreat.

These were once the goals of all museum professionals working at Presidential homes. But, as in much of our culture, a deep ideological bias has now permeated the museum world.

According to data group Verdant Labs, 89 percent of museum directors and 94 percent of museum curators identify as liberal. This has become apparent in recent years, as exhibits, tours, and narratives at Presidential sites have been manipulated and tarnished by those who would sacrifice historical accuracy for a modern ideological statement.

For instance, a July 2022 report by the Heritage Foundation notes, “Visitors could leave Montpelier knowing…little about Madison and his great work as America’s political philosopher.” Indeed, President James Madison’s Montpelier has received ongoing criticism for its disproportionate focus on slavery.

As a Founding Father and the author of the Federalist Papers and Bill of Rights, Madison played an essential role in the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. But at Montpelier, displays gloss over these important accomplishments; instead, they criticize the Constitution as a pro-slavery and racist document. One particular exhibit displays the photos of 18 American Presidents with details about their connections to slavery.

Additionally, factual errors in support of the Left’s narrative abound—with one exhibit noting that New Hampshire’s slave population was 11 percent, while the true number was 0.11 percent.

Sadly, Montpelier is merely one example of the influence of ideological bias at America’s leading historical sites.

Although I was already aware of this historical revisionism prior to joining the Reagan Ranch curatorial department, my recent experience at the annual conference for the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) confirmed the bias that has pervaded the museum world. The AASLH describes itself as “the only comprehensive national organization dedicated to state and local history.”

Conference sessions that focused on “queer history,” “indigenous voices,” and “climate change” quickly erased any optimism I had for an educational experience. Throughout networking events and keynote sessions, I was met with disdainful looks and disparaging responses when discussing my work with Young America’s Foundation and the Reagan Ranch.

During a keynote panel session titled “Historical Thinking Under Fire Town Hall,” the Montpelier curatorial staff received

Since 1998, Young America’s Foundation has preserved the Reagan Ranch—as it was when President Ronald Reagan lived here—as a venue to teach his ideas and values to future generations.

a standing ovation. One panelist from the National Civil Rights Museum remarked, with no evidence, that the Heritage Foundation’s report was “bigoted” and “hateful.” She warned attendees, “They’re going to come after you next. It’s just a matter of time.”

The discussion morphed into a brainstorming session about how to keep Critical Race Theory (CRT) in classrooms and museums. Though nine states have placed a formal ban on Critical Race Theory education in the classroom, a panelist had identified a loophole in state laws, noting that the state bans do not prohibit museums from teaching CRT. Panelists encouraged museum professionals in the audience to use this opening to continue teaching young people CRT through field trips and guest speaker programs—and to partner with teachers who are no longer permitted to teach this ideology in their classrooms.

A participant from the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum insisted that CRT “is not an alternative narrative.” She argued, “It is a comprehensive, collective narrative. It is not a theory, it is history.”

Museum professionals and educators shared their fear that conservative organizations threaten their ideological efforts. A former museum educator remarked, “We are worried. We are fearful. We are afraid that our funders will go away, our docent guild will kick up a storm.”

I learned several lessons about my field of work from this experience.

First, leftism has permeated the museum world. Many museum professionals no longer strive for truth and accuracy, instead catering to an ideological narrative. This bias impacts not only museum design, but also relationships among professionals.

Second, while other forms of diversity are encouraged, diversity of thought is neglected.

Third, museum professionals are fearful of those who question their narrative. They understand their narrative is only successful when unchallenged.

This is all the more reason we must continue to expose distorted, manipulated, and false history when we see it. We must also strive to avoid presentism, judging history not by the values of society today, but with a comprehensive understanding of the past.

As a museum professional in the ideological minority, it is reassuring to know that some historical sites refuse to succumb to cultural and social pressure. Thanks to Young America’s Foundation and its generous supporters, President Ronald Reagan’s legacy will never be tarnished by those who value political correctness over truth.

As a conservative organization led and staffed by conservatives—and supported exclusively by patriotic individuals, families, and foundations instead of government sources—YAF is ideally positioned to pass on President Reagan’s values for generations to come.

aSPECIAL NOTE: All 2023 Reagan Ranch Getaway Weekends will be hosted by YAF’s president, Governor Scott Walker, and his wife, Reagan Ranch Board of Governors member Tonette Walker a

2023 REAGAN RANCH GETAWAY

WEEKENDS

You are cordially invited to an exclusive weekend getaway at Ronald Reagan’s mountaintop home, Rancho del Cielo, in Santa Barbara, California. You will be joined by an intimate group of seven other couples from around the country for a weekend experience hosted by Governor Scott Walker and his wife, Tonette. When you arrive in Santa Barbara, your every need will be met based on an all-inclusive price, including:

2023 retreat dates

March 17 to 19 June 23 to 25 October 20 to 22

• ComplimentarytransportationtotheHotelCalifornian (from Santa Barbara Airport). • Welcomeluncheonfeaturinganotableconservative leader.

• Two-night,five-staraccommodationsattheluxurious

HotelCalifornian.

• VIPvisitexperienceatRonaldReagan’s“Western

WhiteHouse,”RanchodelCielo.

• Behind-the-scenestouroftheReaganRanchCenter and Exhibit Gallery. • Allmeals,includingtwoluncheons,tworeceptions, two dinners, and a full breakfast.

A-  : $2,950   (excluding airline travel)

S  L

Egh-   

Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve your space TODAY. Please contact JASON BARBOUR at (336) 286-1701 or at jasonb@reaganranch.org