College Station’s most famous claim to fame is former U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush, who agreed to have his presidential archives preserved and displayed on the campus at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum (1000 George Bush Dr. West, 979/691-4000, http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat., noon–5 p.m. Sun., $7 adults, $6 seniors, $3 students 6–17).

Recently redesigned, the museum’s main exhibits demonstrate the life and times of Bush Sr., including a section of the Berlin Wall, a Gulf War exhibit, an Avenger similar to the plane Bush flew in World War II, and a replica of the White House situation room.

One of the most memorable portions of the museum is the Oval Office exhibit that allows visitors to sit in the “seat of power” and have their photo taken behind the president’s desk. Another popular draw is the White House in Miniature, offering visitors a peek into the residence George and Barbara Bush once called home.

In addition to these exhibits, the site also contains an archives with more than 38 million pages of personal papers and official documents from the vice presidency and presidency, an extensive collection of audiovisual and photographic records, and approximately 60,000 historical objects including personal items and gifts from the American people.