Gallery Event & Book-Signing with Peter Hannaford

Join us on January 24th for a special Gallery event and book-signing with Peter Hannaford, author of the new book Presidential Retreats: Where the Presidents Went and Why They Went There.

When: January 24, 2013 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm  

Where: The Reagan Ranch Center (Located at 217 State Street)

Cost: Free-RSVPs appreciated

RSVP: to Amy Brooker at (805) 957-1980 by Wednesday, January 23, 2013. 

**Copies of Mr. Hannaford's book will be made available for purchase**

About Peter Hannaford

Peter Hannaford's career, spanning over four decades, includes a long association with Ronald Reagan; representation in Washington of foreign heads of state and some of the nation's-and world's-largest companies; senior roles in presidential campaigns and Republican National Conventions; and authorship of numerous articles and seven books.  Now a Washington-based public relations/public affairs consultant, Mr. Hannaford for twenty years headed The Hannaford Company, Inc.(founded as Deaver & Hannaford, Inc.), serving a national and international clientele.  

During the five years between Ronald Reagan's governorship and California and his election as President of the United States, the firm handled all aspects of his scheduling, political liaison and editorial support. Mr. Reagan's own office in those years was in the firm's headquarters.  

Peter Hannaford's most recent book, Presidential Retreats: Where the Presidents Went and Why They Went There, explores a side of the American presidency that we don't often see-the downtime-as it offers an intriguing glimpse at the evolution of leisure time in this country.

Even the president needs to get away from it all sometimes. From George Washington to Barack Obama, each of our presidents has sought solace from the tightly structured daily routines of the White House. As Ronald Reagan once said of his California ranch, "I do some of my best thinking there." Peter Hannaford takes readers on a fascinating armchair vacation with each of our leaders, offering unique historical context for the why and the where of their chosen retreats.

Which president asked visiting foreign dignitaries to send him seeds to plant at his family home? Who called his vacation property "Sherwood Forest" because it was "a good place for an outlaw"? Which adventure-loving Commander-in- Chief set up a Summer White House in New York every year? Who liked to cruise aboard the presidential yacht when faced with momentous wartime decisions? Who polled the American people to help him decide where to vacation?