Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Reagan Library Missing 80,000 Artifacts

Mementos and gifts said to be stolen by insiders

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 8, 2007 7:34 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – As many as 80,000 artifacts that are supposed to be in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California are missing or unaccounted for, the Los Angeles Times reports. A "near universal" meltdown in security procedures apparently allowed employees to pilfer mementos from T-shirts and buttons to valuable gifts from foreign leaders, an audit has found. At least one archivist was fired for theft.

The audit also turned up evidence of neglect: paintings were stacked one atop another, and fragile vases and sculptures were left lying on their sides. Auditors couldn't find objects even when the library's papers attested they were there. Archivists say they'll never know how much has been lost—because nobody ever did a full inventory in the first place.

The Reagan Library cannot account for 80,000 artifacts.
The Reagan Library cannot account for 80,000 artifacts.   ((c) myglesias)
The Reagan library cannot account for 80,000 artifacts.
The Reagan library cannot account for 80,000 artifacts.   ((c) pingnews.com)
The library's Air Fore One Pavilion is a 90,000 square foot hangar for the permanent display of the Boeing 707 aircraft utilized as Air Force One during Reagan's administration.
The library's Air Fore One Pavilion is a 90,000 square foot "hangar" for the permanent display of the Boeing 707 aircraft utilized as Air Force One during Reagan's administration.   (Public Domain)
An October 27,1991 view of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. (AP Photo)
An October 27,1991 view of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. (AP Photo)   (Associated Press)
The Reagan library in California.
The Reagan library in California.   ((c) Elika & Shannon)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Air Force One, however, is fully accounted for
Eric Brodeur

 
theft • libraries • presidential library

More Newser Stories

George W. Bush Library Finds a Home in Texas

$500M Bush Library Deal Expected Today

Cops: Remote Shutdowns Would Curb Phone Thefts

UK Fugitive Since 1993 Became Missouri Cable Guy

Church Bookkeeper Accused of Stealing More Than $1M
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne