Washington, Lincoln, Jackson and Grant mingle with guests in OC

COMMUNITY

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An actor portraying George Washington walks by portraits of past presidents at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library during the Presidents Day event in Yorba Linda on Monday. Photos by Paul Rodriguez

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Actors portraying Andrew Jackson, left, Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln answer questions from the audience during the Presidents Day event at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda on Monday.

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Members of the Mountain Fifes and Drums perform for visitors during a Presidents Day program Monday.

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An audience member records part of the Presidents Day program featuring portrayals of past presidents.

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By Hanna Kang

hkang@scng.com

Why just read about history when you can shake hands with it?

This Presidents Day, Monday, the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda offered the chance to meet some of America’s most famous leaders.

Educators portraying Presidents George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant roamed the library, sharing stories and a few tips on leadership.

The “presidents” also took part in a Q&A inside the library’s White House East Room replica, sharing insights into their time in office. The discussion was hosted by Chris Lowe, who serves as the Trish O’Donnell Director of Education at the Nixon Foundation.

And because no celebration is complete without dessert, the first 500 guests scored free cherry pie shooters from Polly’s Pies.