It was Abilene day. Although raining all day, we did our best. First to the Eisenhower museum. The home where he grew up as one of 6 brothers with parents and grandfather. His father worked for a creamery. All sons went on to be educated and professionals. There is also a chapel where he and Mamie are buried and the presidential library. Lots of D Day stuff that we just heard about in New Orleans. Thing is that he was not that highly thought of at the time ( I remember we were for Adlai), but history has shown that he was responsible for his own decisions contrary to what people thought and accomplished quite a bit. There is a video of Barbara Walters interviewing Mamie. See picture of her hats. He certainly married up but unclear where her family got all of their money. I saw a biography of her that was a really, really thin book based on archives at the library.
We then went to the County Museum that is combined with the Museum of Telephony. More telephones that I really cared to see but interesting. After Bell's patent ran out rural areas set up independent telephone companies. Also have an antique merry-go-round and some other interesting things. Also a display on telephone operators who were set up in "dorms" with strict rules, etc. See picture of house that was converted in dorm for operators at one point.
Although still raining, we took city trolley tour. It was OK. The driver/guide was reading from a script while driving. Although reading his pronunciation and grammar were just awful. Did see some beautiful homes that are registered historic sites. Chilsom Trail ended here so heard a lot of that history, Wild Bill Hickok, etc. I know it was a rainy day but the down was empty to the point of spooky. No locals or tourists. We are off to dinner at one of the old mansions and then to see South Pacific at local theatre that was once a church. More on that later.
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