each week american history tv's america not a fax -- american artifacts visits museums and historic places. "reel america," faces from the west from in 1956. on september 20, lady bird johnson and stewart udall set off on a four-day conservation tour of california,, arizona, and new mexico. the u.s. naval photographic center recorded the trip. the first lady dedicated several parks, traveled with governor of california, and spoke about preserving natural areas for future generations. this is about 20 minutes courtesy of the lbj presidential library. ♪

>> shortly before 1:00 p.m. on a rainy september 20, mrs. lyndon johnson departed washington airport for a four-day conservation tour, which would carry her across the length of the country for stopovers in california, arizona, and new mexico. ♪ her companions for the trip, secretary of the interior stewart udall, and his wife. for mrs. johnson, who normally travels tourist class on commercial planes, the early portion of the flight was not only an unaccustomed luxury, but

probably one of the most unusual having things in aviation history. arranged by american airlines, which charted the first lady 727 jet, the show featured the latest west coast original from san francisco. eventually however the delighted models and can relate and photographers all disappeared from the aisles and took to the windows to enjoy some of the comparable aerial views of the far west. including memorable moments from the high peaks of the legendary sierra nevada's, fresh with their first snowfall of the year. ♪ by 3:30 the afternoon pacific time, mrs. johnson's jetliner touchdown at hamilton air force

base near center jusco. -- near san francisco. on hand to meet her work mr. and mrs. brown of california. ♪ less than 15 minutes after her arrival in the golden state, mrs. johnson was airborne again. this time by helicopter, bound for the dedication ceremony that would formally designate the 53,000 acre point raised peninsula as a national seashore and park area. california history range with great names of discovery and achievement. cabrillo, fremont, vallejo, stanford -- yet for all her dramatic past she remains a land of challenge. two of the greatest challenge in

modern california are the states ever-expanding population, and the growing need of its fellow citizens to respect and preserve as many land areas among -- of uncluttered beauty as possible. >> every person wants to set a place. and a place where he can be at repose. for many americans, that place of refreshment will be land owned by all the people. parks, q shores, refugees of one kind or another. it is of paramount importance that we save and set aside enough sanctuaries for the future. the growing need of an urban america, of quickening kicks of the conservation clocks, that i dedicate this national seashore to the vitality of the american people.

and to generations yet unborn who will come here with the continent at their back, and gaze afar into a masterpiece. thank you so much for letting me share my time. [applause] >> just before sundown, mrs. johnson flew over the majestic golden gate bridge to the vibrant city of st. francis, by they san francisco. leaving its sophistication with the was still of ships and clank of cable cars. -- have made her the queen of commerce and culture in northern california. --time and ambition have made her the queen of commerce and culture in northern california. mrs. johnson first date of the tour came to a close at the war memorial opera house, where she

attended the san francisco opera theater. ♪ just before noon of the second day, mrs. johnson continued her aerial tour of california with one last look at point reyes peninsula. than her 727 jet swung inland over the lush fields of the central valley, the largest and most important agricultural area west of the rocky mountains. at lake tahoe, the day -- the jet banks again toward the old's parish -- old spanish garrison town of monterey. ♪

curiously, for all of the monterey peninsula's past fame as a spanish and mexican colonial stronghold, many historic landmarks speak strongly to the californian of freedom and independence. [applause] ♪ >> standing here at colton hall, the cradle of government in california, i am well aware of your proud past. i am impressed with what you have done to preserve this colorful history and bountiful beauty of the big sur country. albert schweitzer once said, men have lost the capacity to foresee and forestall. he will end by destroying the earth. i am not so pessimistic.

and i know that the people of monterey peninsula know that conservation, beautification,: it what you will, is more than just one tree, or one historic building, or one highway. is a frame of reference, a way of life. you have lived it. and everyone who comes here is refreshed by what you have done. i want to contribute a small share. a chestnut tree seedling from the thomas jefferson that at the white house to express my gratitude to the people of the peninsula for what you have done. >> just outside the city of carmel, mrs. johnson made an unscheduled stop at the san carlos borromeo mission.

in 1770, this famous landmarks are busy headquarters for the zealous father serra, the chief of franciscan missions that dotted the landscape of california. of all the rows that carry travelers up and down the coastal ranges of california, none offers more sheer excitement per mile than the big sur scenic highway, which source for 80 miles along the western brink of the north american continent from the carmel river tomorrow bay. this is the big sur country, a stretch of sculptured coastline famous for both this dramatic compensation with, the seat and its artist and writer's who have been drawn to its natural beauty. standing near one of the most exquisite bridges in the west, mrs. johnson designated the big -- dedicated the big sur highway

wild symphony of mountains, sea, and sky, to all that would share it. at midafternoon the first lady arrived at the place called wild bird -- the site of a well-known architect. resting 600 feet above the surface, mrs. johnson vicariously enjoyed another of big sur's greatest treasures: privacy. ♪ the final daylight hours of mrs. johnson's second day in california brought her to look the enchanted hill on sin city. -- on sand city. closely guarded during his lifetime, san simeon became legendary as the most mysterious private estate in america.

the enchanted hill was presented to the state of california by the hearst family for use as a state historical park and museum. ♪ hearst would probably have admired mrs. johnson's final evening in california, as withdmired -- as she was over 500 guests, most of them scientists, educators, and conservationists. the background was a lavish neptune pool, with its flanking colonnade and rolling temple. ♪

early the next morning, with her departure for the state of arizona less than an hour away, mrs. johnson took time to tour through the queen the casagrande. in an almost fairytale atmosphere are gathered many of the incomparable art treasures for which hearst and his agents, --agents combed the world. ♪ >> through the eons, as the great plateau of the far west rose from the sea, the great land cover, the colorado river, gouged the mesa rocks along its

path. she dug great canyons and left in the rims towering thousands of feet above their bed. she became as essential to the great seven state area and from west as the great lakes are to the industrial heartland of america. while she gave the breath of life to the west, she also destroyed. ♪ it wasn't until the 20th century that man begins when giant -- man began flinging giant barriers in her path to make her a servant to his will. various whose names have changed -- barriers whose names have changed the name of it forever. navajo, hoover, and the newest of these monuments to the sweat and skill of men -- the glen canyon dam in arizona. rising over 500 feet from the canyon floor, its generators spin quietly as they pour out energy by the billions of watts into cross-country transmission lines.

♪ behind the dam, 186 mile lake, lake powell, is building a water reserve and will provide the west with the newest scenic recreational area in the nation. ♪ ♪ >> at 11:00 a.m. on september 22 mrs. johnson formally decking -- formally dedicated the glen jackson dam. -- glen canyon dam. >> america is only beginning to discover the natural beauty that is here in our country.

we are entering a new era of wide water conservation. i am proud to dedicate such a significant and beautiful man-made resource. i am proud that man is here. the hard-core water empowerment of this dam is well-known. its bonus is the heavenly blue lake that begins here and winds its way through navajo country, toward the labyrinth of the new canyonlands of national park. one cannot explore lake powell's 1800 miles of shoreline in a hurry. but the places invite exploration, like rainbow bridge, cathedral in the desert, hole in the rock, canyons like

driftwood and pick fax -- and pickax. and one that has been shown with many a lovely prospect. i still could not have foreseen the drama and the witting beauty of lake powell. >> just before 2:00 on the third day of the tour, mrs. johnson flew across the great continental divide into the sme mountains -- into the nacimiento mountains of new mexico. the oldest seat of government in the united states. ♪] one of santa fe's outstanding contributions to the educational and cultural world is each its institute of american indian art. ♪ here young indian students from all over the united states participate in an accredited high school program in preparation for college, enrollment in technical schools, or employment in an arc

t vocation. strong emphasis is given to the art collectives, encouraging individual creativity in cultural expression. it is a unique school, recognizing that most of its students come from communities and homes of great property, family breakdown, or social isolation. it's singular aim is to turn out truly creative and well-adjusted young people who can achieve satisfying economic and social success in the modern world. ♪

[singing] ♪ >> new mexico was named for the land of the aztec god. spanish conquerors came from mexico in 1540 two search for physical gold. they found only -- two search for mythical gold. villages small of indians. call them pueblo, this word for small village. mrs. johnson visited one of the famous pueblos of new mexico 25

located 25 miles northwest of santa fe. the total membership of the pueblo is close to 300 people. most of whom live on tribal land. --e he can their language, they speak their language and cling strongly to the patriarchal family and client relationship. although most of the adults lack a formal education, the universal appreciation of art is most evident in their handmade goods. ♪

♪ >> two famous residents of santa fe, as far as the johnson family is concerned, are mr. and mrs. antonio taylor, mr. and mrs. johnson's brother and sister-in-law. for years they have been telling mrs. johnson of the beauty of the carson national forest, with its golden aspen trees. in the final moment of her western tour, she arranged a walk through the forest. a walk that would bring to a close a tour called "faces of the west," a tour that might be summed up in the words of thoreau. >> we must be refreshed by the fight of an inexhaustible vigor. vast and titanic features. the wilderness with its decaying

living and decaying trees. the thundercloud and the rain which lasts three weeks and produces freshness. we need to witness our own limits transgress, and life pastoring freely. ♪ >> the smithsonian national museum of african american history and culture opens at stores the public for the first time on saturday's of tumor four.

american history tv will be live sights andll with sounds leading up to the 10:00 a.m. opening ceremony, and will be live with the dedication, which includes remarks by president obama and thousand -- and founding museum director lonnie bunch. on cue and day -- on , -- david k johnston. tickets to the little mermaid and the amazing woman. amazing fiji and some victim is all set to me donald doesn't know anything about the casino business. >> tonight at eight eastern.

campaign 2016, c-span continues on the road to the white house. >> we are going to get things done, big things. one great have american future. our potential is unlimited. ahead live coverage of the presidential and vice presidential debates on c-span. monday, september 26 is the first presidential debate. live from hosta university. vice president joe candidates, governor mike pence and senator tim kaine debate in farmville virginia. 9 washingtontober university in st. louis hosts a second presidential debate, leading to a third and final debate between hillary clinton and donald trump, taking place at the university of nevada las vegas. live coverage of the presidential and vice

presidential debate. watch live or anytime on demand at c-span.org. >> at c-span.org you can watch our public affairs and political programming any time at your convenience. here you can type in the name of a speaker, the sponsor of a bill, or even the event topic. click on the program you would like to watch. as you are looking for our most current programs and don't want to search the video library, our homepage has many programs ready for your immediate viewing. c-span.org is a public service to your cable or satellite provider. check it out at c-span.org.

week leading to the 2016 election, wrote the white house rewind brings you archival coverage of presidential races. income debate between and present george h.w. bush, arkansas governor bill clinton, and texas businessman ross perot. the candidates took questions on taxes and the budget deficit, as national security following the collapse of the soviet union. governor clinton defeated bush in the popular election. independent candidate ross perot and is third with 19%. this debate at washington university is just over one hour and that is over an hour and a half. a is just over an hour and half. >> look him to the first of three debates among the major candidates for president of the united states, spas but the commission on presidents. the candidates