Several events planned this week for the 41@100 celebration at Bush Library & Museum

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – The following information was provided by Texas A&M University Division of Marketing & Communications

The 41st president’s life, legacy and spirit of selfless service will be observed in Aggieland next week with a series of events at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Center on the Texas A&M University campus.

The George & Barbara Bush Foundation’s 41@100 centennial celebration during the week of what would have been Bush’s 100th birthday starts Tuesday, June 11, with events for alumni of the Bush administration. The following day, Bush Foundation donors are invited to a panel discussion featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham and New York Times bestselling author Jean Becker. That night, an invitation-only dinner will be held in the new Marine One/4141 Locomotive Pavilion. The celebration culminates with Community Day on Thursday, June 13.

“As President Bush demonstrated throughout his remarkable life, service can unite and uplift our country,” said Andrew H. Card Jr., CEO of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation. “We’re thrilled for the Aggieland community to join us as we remember President Bush’s legacy of selfless service on what would have been his 100th birthday. We hope he can continue to serve as an inspiration for generations to come.”

The following public events are still accepting RSVPs:

Grand opening of the Marine One/4141 Locomotive Pavilion: The new 29,000-square-foot building at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum features the retired Marine One helicopter used frequently by Bush during his time in office and the Union Pacific 4141 locomotive, which led Bush’s funeral train from Houston to his final resting place on the library grounds. The building is also home to a café. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.Commemorative parachute jumps by Bush’s grandchildren at the field next to Lot 43 at the Bush Presidential Center. 8-11:30 a.m.A concert at the Bush Presidential Center with Aggie country music stars Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen. 7:30-9 p.m.

Guests can RSVP to attend the events on the George & Barbara Bush Foundation website.

Admission to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum will also be free to the public June 12-13. In addition to the opening of the Marine One/4141 Locomotive Pavilion, a new exhibit developed in conjunction with the celebration will explore the George H.W. Bush Presidential Center’s place in the Bryan-College Station community.

Called “The Spirit of the Place,” the exhibit uses artifacts, documents, photographs and other materials to give a behind-the-scenes look into Bush’s vision for the creation of the museum and presidential center.

Dawn Hammatt, the library’s director, said hours will be extended until 7:30 p.m. next Thursday in anticipation of increased tourism to the community.

“We will have all sorts of programs and activities for the whole family,” Hammatt said. “I really hope that the community uses this time to not only come and see the new building, 4141 and the helicopter, but also the new exhibit.”

She encourages members of the public to check the library’s website in the coming days for more information about parking.