Nancy Reagan’s public viewing draws more than 3,000 visitors
People come to pay their respects in front of the casket of former first lady Nancy Reagan during a lying in repose at the Reagan Presidential Library on Wednesday, March 9.
All afternoon and evening, visitors arrived at the Reagan Presidential Library. They boarded shuttle buses and waited in line for their chance to pay their respects to the late Nancy Reagan.
The first day of public viewing of the former first lady lying in repose brought 3,115 people to the library Wednesday, and a second day of viewing will take place Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On Wednesday, the numbers of people arriving grew larger as the sun set. Some came in their work clothes, others in jeans and shorts.
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David Whalen, 50, wore his Bernie Sanders T-shirt. He said he wanted to pay his respects but also wanted to be seen -- because he’s hoping his pick for president still has a chance.
Visitors were quiet as they filed by Nancy Reagan’s casket, which was piled high with roses and peonies -- her favorite flower. Some blew kisses. Here and there, people went down on their knees to pray for her.
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Ron Reagan, second from left, and his sister, Patti Davis, pause at their mother Nancy Reagan’s casket at her gravesite at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Mourners and family members pause at Nancy Reagan’s gravesite at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz and his wife, Charlotte Mailliard Swig, reach out to touch Nancy Reagan’s casket during her funeral service at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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From left, California Gov. Jerry Brown, First Lady Michelle Obama, former First Lady Laura Bush and former President George W. Bush wait to pay their respects at Nancy Reagan’s gravesite at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Ron Reagan hugs a mourner as his sister, Patti Davis, left, looks on during funeral services for their mother, Nancy Reagan, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter pauses at Nancy Reagan’s casket at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Former Chief of Staff James Baker, right, and his wife, Susan, wait to pay their respects during funeral services for former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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A military honor guard places Nancy Reagan’s casket at her gravesite at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Ron Reagan, left, greets mourners at his mother Nancy Reagan’s funeral at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney pauses at Nancy Reagan’s casket at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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A bagpipe player plays “Amazing Grace” as a military honor guard carries Nancy Reagan’s casket to her gravesite at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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A military honor guard carries Nancy Reagan’s casket to her gravesite at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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Ron Reagan speaks at the funeral of his mother and former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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Diane Sawyer speaks at the funeral of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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Daughter Patti Davis speaks at the funeral of her mother and former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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Journalist Tom Brokaw offers reflections during funeral services for former First Lady Nancy Reagan.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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Former Secretary of State James Baker speaks at the funeral of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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Pallbearers carry the casket of former First Lady Nancy Reagan into her funeral service at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times )
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First Lady Michelle Obama, center, arrives with former President George Bush, right, and his wife, Laura Bush, second from right, and Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown, second from left, for the funeral services for former First Lady Nancy Reagan.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times )
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Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney reads a letter from Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan during the funeral service for former First Lady Nancy Reagan.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger arrives for the funeral of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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Actors Mr. T, left, and Gary Sinise arrive for the funeral of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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Steven Leslie prays in front of the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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A line circles around the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kimberly Leif, of Simi Valley, cries in front of the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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People pay their respects in front of the casket of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley Wednesday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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A man prays in front of the casket of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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People pay their respects to former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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The casket of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Nancy Reagan’s casket is framed by a statue of former President Ronald Reagan at the presidential library in Simi Valley.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Nancy Reagan’s casket at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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A woman wipes a tear away as she pauses beside the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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Stella Delgado, left, and her mother Yoko Santos pause as they pay their respects beside the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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Flowers are placed on the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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House Speaker Paul Ryan stands near the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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Library volunteers pause as they pay their respects beside the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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The casket carrying Nancy Reagan arrives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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A motorcade carrying the body of former First Lady Nancy Reagan arrives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
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Flowers are placed at the entrance to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library as people wait for the motorcade bringing Nancy Reagan’s body to lie in repose.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
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Flags and flowers are placed at the entrance to the Ronal Reagan Presidential Library as people wait for the motorcade bringing Nancy Reagan’s body to lie in repose.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
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A woman takes a selfie at the entrance to the Ronal Reagan Presidential Library waiting for the motorcade bringing Nancy Reagan’s body to lie in repose.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
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The Rev. Ken Worthy Stuart, Vicar of the Washington National Cathedral, gives the final blessing after the casket carrying the former first lady Nancy Reagan was loaded into a hearse at a mortuary in Santa Monica, Calif.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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A motorcade carrying the mortal remains of former First Lady Nancy Reagan travels from Santa Monica to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(ROBYN BECK / AFP/Getty Images)
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Firefighters salute as the hearse carrying the body of Nancy Reagan makes its way to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
(MARK J. TERRILL / Associated Press)
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Rachel Handy carries an American flag after watching the motorcade escorting the body of former first lady Nancy Reagan pass by on the Ronald Reagan Freeway en route to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
(David McNew / Getty Images)
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Firefighters salute as the hearse carrying the body of Nancy Reagan makes its way to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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The casket carrying the former first lady Nancy Reagan leaves a small ceremony at a mortuary in Santa Monica, Calif.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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Family members watch as the casket carrying the former first lady Nancy Reagan leaves a small ceremony at a mortuary in Santa Monica, Calif.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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The casket carrying former First Lady Nancy Reagan leaves a mortuary in Santa Monica after a small ceremony en route to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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Mourners arrive at the Santa Monica mortuary where a small ceremony for former First Lady Nancy Reagan was held Wednesday.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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A police officer stands guard outside a mortuary where a small ceremony for former Frst Lady Nancy Reagan was held Wednesday.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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Flowers and flags decorate a fountain outside the mortuary where a small ceremony for former First Lady Nancy Reagan was held Wednesday in Santa Monica.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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Visitors were asked not to take photos at the casket or in the courtyard outside. But afterwards, as they stood waiting for shuttle buses to take them back to their cars, many posed in front of two long banners of Nancy Reagan’s official White House portrait -- in which the former first lady wears a floor-length gown in her favorite color, red.
Gregory Harris, 43, of Encino brought his three daughters, all named after presidents. Kennedy is 17. Reagan is 11. Madison is 8.
He and his wife, he said, wanted to give them “some strong names that gave them self esteem. You can’t be weak with a name like Kennedy or Reagan. You’ve got to be tough.”
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Harris said he thought it was important for his girls
“I don’t want them to see stuff on the news that just goes over their heads. I want them to really understand the importance of certain events like this -- and I hope this is more significant for them because they are actually experiencing it.”
When the girls were asked what they knew about Nancy Reagan, Kennedy jumped in. “I hear she was very magnificent,” she said.
Former Los Angeles Times columnist Nita Lelyveld wrote City Beat stories about moments in the life of Los Angeles. She was born in New York and grew up around the world, but lived in L.A. longer than she lived anywhere else. Before joining The Times in 2001, she wrote for the Tuscaloosa News, the Associated Press and the Philadelphia Inquirer, which sent her to L.A. as a national writer in 1997.
