The Resolute Desk - Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum - Yorba Linda, CA
N 33° 53.347 W 117° 49.160
11S E 424237 N 3750163
This exact replica of America's 'Official' Desk is located in the lobby of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, just inside the entrance doors.
Waymark Code: WMKHAR
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 04/15/2014
Views: 2
Located in the main lobby of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is an exact replica of the Resolute Desk, used by almost every President in the White House Oval Office. The original desk still in use in the White House was made from the timbers of the HMS Resolute, an abandoned British ship discovered by an American vessel and returned to the Queen of England as a token of friendship and goodwill. This replica is available for visitors to have pictures taken behind it to give them the chance to be the Commander-In-Chief! There is a metal plaque imbedded in front of the desk that reads:
H.M.S. "RESOLUTE" FORMING PART OF THE EXPEDITION SENT IN SEARCH OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN IN 1852, WAS ABANDONED IN LATITUDE 74° 41° N. LONGITUDE 101° 22° W. ON 15TH MAY 1854. SHE WAS DISCOVERED AND EXTRICATED IN SEPTEMBER 1855, IN LATITUDE 67° N. BY CAPTAIN BUDDINGTON OF THE UNITED STATES WHALER "GEORGE HENRY."
THE SHIP WAS PURCHASED, FITTED OUT AND SENT TO ENGLAND AS A GIFT TO HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA BY THE PRESIDENT AND PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, AS A TOKEN OF GOODWILL & FRIENDSHIP. THIS TABLE WAS MADE FROM HER TIMBERS WHEN SHE WAS BROKEN UP, AND IS PRESENTED BY THE QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND, TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AS A MEMORIAL OF THE COURTESY AND LOVING KINDNESS WHICH DICTATED THE OFFER OF THE GIFT OF THE "RESOLUTE."
What was interesting to discover when reading about this famous desk on the White House Museum website was that Richard Nixon never used this desk during his term as President!
Go figure.
The White House Museum also sells an exact replica of this desk for... $100,000!!!! No thanks!