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JGR/Reagan Home
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John Roberts' Subject Files
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Roberts, John G.: Files
Folder Title: JGR/Reagan Home
Box: 46
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 9, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS are
SUBJECT:
Restoration of Reagan Home
in Dixon, Illinois
An acquaintance of the President involved in the restoration
of the Dixon home, Bill Thompson, has written the President,
enclosing an itemized cost estimate for restoration work.
In his letter Thompson states that with "a note or a tele-
phone call to some of your friends in California, Texas or
elsewhere -- maybe Bob Hope, Sinatra, Pat Boone, etc. --
that possibly enough cash could be raised to finish the
projects that are important at this time
"
Osborne
has
corresponded with Thompson on the President's behalf frequent-
ly in the past, and would like to advise him that it would
be inappropriate for the President to accede to his request,
but wanted to check with our office first.
Osborne is of course correct that it would not be appropriate
for the President to do what Thompson suggests. Last year
the Ronald Reagan Home Preservation Foundation met with the
President, and the Chairman of the group later asked for
photographs of the meeting to use in fundraising. You sent
the photographs, but with a caveat that they "not be used in
a way that suggests that either the White House or the
President personally is asking for contributions.'
I have prepared a memorandum for your signature to Osborne,
agreeing with the substance of her proposed response. I
think Osborne should do the response, since she has corres-
ponded with Thompson in the past.
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 9, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR KATHY OSBORNE
FROM:
FRED F. FIELDING
Is!
SUBJECT:
Restoration of Reagan Home
in Dixon, Illinois
You have asked for our advice concerning a response to Mr.
Bill Thompson, an acquaintance of the President who is
involved in efforts to restore the Dixon home. Mr. Thompson
suggested that the President contact friends of his to raise
some $250,000 for the restoration.
You are of course correct that it would be inappropriate for
the President to accede to Mr. Thompson's request. Last
fall the President met with officials of the Ronald Reagan
Home Preservation Foundation, and when those individuals
requested photographs to be used in fundraising, I sent the
photographs but admonished that they "not be used in a way
that suggests that either the White House or the President
personally is asking for contributions." I would simply
advise Mr. Thompson that it would be inappropriate for the
President to become involved in raising funds for the
restoration, either publicly or privately.
FFF:JGR:aw 6/9/83
cc: FFFielding
JGRoberts
Subj.
Chron
ID #.
CU
WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
0 DUTQOING
H INTERNAL
Rest Potests
1 CINCOMING
Date Correspondence
#Received (YY/MM/DD)
Name of Correspondent: Kathy Osborne
MI Mail Report
User Codes: (A)
(B)
(C)
Subject:
Restoration of Reagan Home in
Dixon, Illin our
ROUTE TO:
ACTION
DISPOSITION
Tracking
Type
Completion
Action
Date
of
Date
Office/Agency
(Staff Name)
Code
YY/MM/DD
Response
Code
YY/MM/DD
WHOll
ORIGINATOR 83,06,08
/
/
Referral Note:
CUAT 18
D 83,06,08
S83,06,10
Referral Note:
/ /
/ /
Referral Note:
/ /
/ /
Referral Note:
/ /
/ /
Referral Note:
ACTION CODES:
DISPOSITION CODES:
A Appropriate Action
1- Info Copy Only/No Action Necessary
A Answered
C Completed
C Comment/Recommendation
R Direct Reply w/Copy
B Non-Special Referral
S- Suspended
D Draft Response
S For Signature
F Furnish Fact Sheet
X Interim Reply
to be used as Enclosure
FOR OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE:
Type of Response Initials of Signer
Code
"A"
Completion Date Date of Outgoing
Comments:
Keep this worksheet attached to the original incoming letter.
Send all routing updates to Central Reference (Room 75, OEOB).
Always return completed correspondence record to Central Files.
Refer questions about the correspondence tracking system to Central Reference, ext. 2590.
25/81
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 7, 1983
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FRED FIELDING
FROM:
KATHY OSBORNE
Katy
SUBJECT:
RESTORATION OF REAGAN HOME IN DIXON, ILLINOIS
One of the President's old acquaintances is involved in the
restoration of the Reagan home (Mr. Bill Thompson), and has
written often asking him many questions regarding location
of rooms, things in the home, etc.
Mr. Thompson has recently sent in a copy of a letter to him
from Mr. Jim Hickey who is the Lincoln Curator -- and very
involved in the restoration of the home. Basically, Mr.
Hickey and Mr. Thompson suggest the President contact some
of his wealthy friends to see if they would donate $250,000
to complete the home.
I would like to write back to Mr. Thompson advising him that
it is totally inappropriate for the President to do this,
however, I want to see if anyone in your office has been
involved in this and if this is the response I should give
them. I don't want to bother the President with all of this
because I have been writing to Mr. Thompson (over RR's
signature) because he continually asks the President to
autograph about a dozen items with every letter.
Please advise if you have any information regarding the
restoration that I am not aware of and if you agree that
I should write Mr. Thompson that although RR is concerned,
he is not able to get involved.
Thanks.
Nu. Jam Nickey fuls That this page WOMAN
of
would like to are completed this year Bill
PRESIDENT REAGAN HOME RESTORATION
22 March 1983
Dixon, Illinois
PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATE
HOUSE
Basement
960 SF
First Floor 960 SF
Second Floor 710 SF
Demolition and Removal
$ 3,000
Exterior Restoration
31,500
Interior Restoration
62,300
Plumbing
1,600
Heating and Air Conditioning
6,300
Electrical
3,700
Sub Total
$108,400
$108,400
FURNISHINGS
Allowance
25,000
25,000
BARN
Assumed Size 20 X 40 = 800 SF
Reconstruction
32,000
Electrical
2,000
Sub Total
34,000
34,000
SITE
Removal of Non-original Walks & Drives
4,000
New Walks & Drives
3,500
Landscaping
4,200
Sub Total
11,700
11,700
PROFESSIONAL FEES
Historic Research
Structures Survey
Programming
Architectural and Engineering
32,550
Archaeologist (Allowance)
2,000
Sub Total
34,550
34,550
Document Printing (Allowance)
2,500
2,500
$216,150
JIM reports that friends TOTAL of gov. Hospital
PRESIDENT REACAN HOME RESTORATION
Dixon, Illinois
22 March 1983
PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATE
PARKING & VISITOR'S CENTER
PARKING
Assumed Size 160 X 160
Demolition
$ 10,000
Paving, Curbs and Walks
60,000
Retaining Wall
24,000
Sub Total
$ 94,000
$ 94,000
VISITOR'S CENTER
Assumed Size 1,500 SF
Public Rest Rooms
400 SF
Interpretive Center
600 SF
Sales Area
400 SF
Mechanical
100 SF
General Construction
58,000
Plumbing
14,000
Heating and Air Conditioning
8,000
Electrical
15,000
Sub Total
$ 95,000
95,000
PROFESSIONAL FEES
Survey (Allowance)
1,700
Architectural and Engineering
22,500
Sub Total
$ 24,200
24,200
Document Printing (Allowance)
1,500
1,500
TOTAL
$214,700
ILLINOIS STATE HISTORICAL LIBRARY
Old State Capitol
Springfield 62706
217-782-4836
April 26, 1983
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Thompson
517 Brenton Avenue
Dixon, Illinois 61021
Dear Bill and Jean:
For some time I have been puzzled why we do not get
off the ground with our fund raising for the Reagan House.
Recently Mrs. Thompson (Governor's wife) sat next to the
President at dinner and she told me he talked a lot about
the house and gave the impression that everything was
going well. This weekend Mark and Betty Cox, good friends
of the Presidents (they have a 65,000 acre ranch in
Wyoming) were here. They had been to Washington to a
State Department dinner given by Dan Terra. Terra is as
you know the Pres-Ambassador at large and in charge of all
fund raising. Terra told Mark Cox that he and the President
wanted to put the house project and Presidential Library
on ice until the next term after election. This goes
along with Terra's action in veto of some of our fund
raising ideas but does not fit in with what the President
told Mrs. Thompson that he thought work was going on.
Carl Fischer (architect) has finished his work and
has given me an estimate of cost, which we made 10 or
15 percent more than we really think. I enclose a copy.
You will notice that the cost of house and barn (first page)
would be about 250 thousand that adding the parking lot and
small reception center would only be another 200 thousand.
Now I agree with Dan Terra that there should not be
any fund raiser that wrote letters all over county begging
for money or collect pennies from school kids. This would
not be in the President's best interest. But I don't think
it is in the President's best interest politically or
otherwise to put the project on "ice" for two or three
years in the condition it is in now. With large signs on
the inter-state and other roads inviting people to visit
Ronald Reagan's Home, it is not very good what they see.
If I were such a tourist who turned off the main road to
see what they now see, I think I would leave with the
opinion that Dixon, the State of Illinois and others, did
not think much of Ronald Reagan. In other words I think
putting the project on ice is going to work against the
President.
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Thompson
April 26, 1983
Page Two
What I am suggesting is that we do the House and barn
the $250,000 part and then put what ever else may take place
on ice. It would seem to me that nationally the President
should have enough friends who could raise the $250,000
without much publicity. I believe, since I am not being
paid for my work and certainly. don't need more work, I can
speak very honestly about this. I realize that anything
we do in this regard will have to be approved by the
President and Dan Terra and I will certainly go along with
any decision they make. I am concerned that possibly we
are not getting through the message of how things look
here. I. honestly don't think the house can stand as it
now does for two or three years and win any points for
the President.
If you agree with this and have further comments,
please pass on to the President. If you think I should
let it be, I would appreciate your suggestions in that
regard.
Sincerely,
Suin
James T. Hickey
Lincoln Curator
JTH pw
Dear Dutch ~
Thank you so much for wour nice Pitter
of Abril 13th n so good to heat from you. and
thankfor autogra bhing the b hotograbhs
sons and their families and all the others.
for Mrs Warner ~ Haney plassner - my
They were all thriffed to receive them,
and asked me to thank you for them.
her home and has MB ved to the Dixon
made line Frazier has finalla given up
Health Care Center. We all feel it is the
best thing for her todo, and she seems
to be happy there, so befieve it will
work out fine for her. She wanted me
to Pet you know where she was living
now, and asked me to send you her
ptayers and bast wishes.
Mrs. Warner has also been confined
to the hospital for a few weeks, but is
Seeling better now and will be going
home soon, She was really thrifted
with the beautiful pho toprabl stand
by both you and nancy. Thanks again!
I had a very nice Petter from James
Hickey a week or SD all pertaining to
the Reasan house, etc. I have enclosed
a copy of his Petter as well as a
copy of the Prefiminary Cast Estimate
on the Reasan have etc. for you
to Pook over.
-seel very much the way Jim does
regarding the progress in remodeling
and re-furnishing the Reagan house
and I talked to him at some Pength
regarding the situation here.
on the phone the other evening
bad image of Dixon the State of
We both feel that it is creating a
Illinois, and the President of the
United States, and will really turn
people off, when after seeing
on all hishways feading into Drxon
"Hometown of Ronald Reagan" and
"Ronald Reagans Boyhood Home" and
arrive there only to find out that
the home is not open ) windows
boarded up, and Whally un-accesible
We had so many thousands of
people go through the house last
year, even when it was not ready for
50, that it seems ashame to
showing, and every one enjoyed it
stop now, and put it on the back
burner so to sheak for a couble of
wears or untill after the election in 84.
dim and I certainly donot want
with what you and Dan Jerra have in
to do anything that is not in accord
are, but still fept that you should know
mind, and we realize how basw you,
3.
of our concerns in this matter and
bossibly could advise is ns to what
we can do, or what you would like
to have done at this time without
disrubting anyfuture plans that
Dan Jerra, and you may have in
mind,
Would you Pike to have me stop
in and see Dan Jerra the next time
I am in Evanston, so that we may
come to some understanding as to just
what can be done, and what the
plans are forfuture fund raisingete.
Jean and I visit Dan Terre's
Art Museum in Evanston Quite
regurally and we could easily make
arrangements to talk to him if
you think we should, or if you.
would like to have us make the
gesture. Jim and I had the feeling that
a note or a te phone call to some
of your friends in Cafif- Texos or
efse where in mape Bob Hobe Sinatrar
Pot Boone etc ~ that possibly
enouch cash could be raised to
finish the projects that are
important at this time, and Pet
the others ride until after election
WISH
had
the
job havent. myself, but sorry to say I
I persona ply feel that all this
can be done in a far better manner
by Dan Jerra than by Jimthikey
or myself.
I realize what a tight schedule
you are working under, but if you
have a minute or so to spare you
might drop me a Pine with your
thoughts on this matter. All we
need is a Pittle info so that we will
know what is in the works for the
future.
We also realize that the
situation caused by Carrie's daughter
and her husband Lynn splitting
ub, and gettina a divorce $ with
Lum being appointed curator of
the Reagan home etc ^ this will
no doubt take a lot of straighten-
ing out. not a very satisfactory
deal to say the Peast.
hate to bother you with such
I am really very sorry, and
trivial matters, but we just
Dont want anything to happen
here to create a bad image
5
mentioning in wour Petter that when
rJean and I also want to thank you
came to WashinGton that possibly
something we could be worked out. social
with Dan and Kancy, or at Peast
we could Get to oether for a visit
with you for a few m inates in
the oval office. I am not just
sure whether it will be this fall
or next sbring, but we willsurely
Get in touch with you when we
decide to come.
Oh-Dutch- ) I have also aquired
for the ReaGan corner - Reagan house,
museum or whatever, five more
TIME mag. covers, plus a couble
covers from First Monday maq. and four
or five us News & World Rebort covers,
all with Reagan on the cover ) a
really Great find. ! also a coby
of the Official Guide to Reagan world,
which by the way 15 Great fun.
Iwould like very much to send
these to you at your convenience
for you to autograbh them to Jean
and I. I will really apprecrate
it very much The Leagan Corner
collection is growing
Hobe I have not taken wh too
much of your. time; but felt that sume
of these matters were important.
Rould Rain
Warm Regard
ToDean & Bill- With appreciation
Jean Joins me in sending our best wishes,
& love to you and nancy
Fond regards,
Bill
Pn Ireceived an invitation in the mail
from Paul Lavalt to join the 1984 Presidential
Trust which we will be happy to do,
and we hobe this means an announcement
will beforthcoming SOON- -
REAGAN "84"
GIVE AMERICA A TREAT "Go DUTCH "IN '84'' is
How about it ?
FRONT COVER - Rtching No.5 D, James Swann, Chicago. 18. 1981
The Reagentrouse Dixan, was (816 5. HENNEDINAVE)
Boyhoad Home of Pres Rawaid Reagon 1920-1923 1925
Anxious to
Home originally smith By William C.Thompson in #91
DORRANCE s. Thompson BORN were Nov. 21, 1031
For MORE inmormation, CONTACT
use my spogan
Jean on Bill THOMASON, 517 BRINTON Av.
When in Drion. visit THE REGIAN -
DIKON If 61021 Av.
again !
Dutch ~
This Pittle fun addition I just had
to pass on to you ~
My Pittle grand-daughter Erin,
the "Little Dutchess" named after
you, now about 14 months old, was
visiting grandpa & grand ma Past
evening, and busiles todd Ping
through the house.
Every time she bassed by a
photosrabh of Dutch" Reagan
(and there are suite few) or if
she spotted a Book or a magazine
with your bicture on the cover, she
would either touch it - hoint to
it, or pick it up and hand it
to grand-fon and say "Dutch"-
"Dutch". Ofcourse Gramdba beamed!
Cute part is ~ she caffs me
Bompa, says ma-ma very well,
but does not say daddy very well,
She sure can say "Dutch" tho- -
Kinda burns daddy up!