A chunk of the Berlin Wall, displayed at Reagan Library, gets cosmetic update
Ronald Reagan in 1987 urged the leader of Soviet Union, 'Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall'
Nick Seraphim and Carolyn Macleod, KC Restoration, are finishing up the restoration to the wall on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ feet tall segment of the Berlin Wall on display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley got a badly needed cosmetic overhaul this week.
Once displaying a colorful graffiti-like butterfly on its “West” side and stark grayish-white concrete on its “East” side, the icon popular with museum-goers has faded over the past decade from Southern California’s direct sunlight, causing the butterfly and floral images to fade.
At an April 12,1990 ceremony at the museum, attended by 1,000 well-wishers, an East German organization presented the vividly painted three-ton segment of the Berlin Wall to former President Reagan in thanks for his “unwavering dedication to democracy and freedom.”
Three years earlier, as president, Reagan famously beseeched the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, to seek peace and prosperity for the people of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. “Come here to this gate,” President Reagan said on June 12, 1987. “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”
The wall was an infamous, guarded concrete barrier that encircled West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, separating it from East Berlin and the German Democratic Republic. The wall had guard towers, check points and beds of nails among other deterrents to prevent people in East Germany from fleeing to the west.
One of the two artists who is restoring the wall at the Reagan Library was raised in Bulgaria and grew up on the east side of the wall, and he recently recalled those difficult times.
“I saw the wall from the other side,” said Nick Seraphim, 56, of KC Restoration based in Gardena. “Now, having the chance to educate others and work on this side as an artist, (is fulfilling).”
Carolyn Macleod, also with KC Restoration, said she was aware of it as a historical piece when she was growing up.
“It’s important to be able to retain the artist’s intent for another generation to enjoy,” Macleod said.
The section of the Berlin Wall that will be restored on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A detail area of a flower on the Berlin Wall that will be restored on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Carolyn Macleod, KC Restoration and Nick Seraphim prepare the wall for restoration, as a group of students are given a tour on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Carolyn Macleod, KC Restoration, bottom and Nick Seraphim, above, prepare the wall on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Nick Seraphim and Carolyn Macleod, KC Restoration, Nick Seraphim prepare the wall on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Carolyn Macleod, KC Restoration, tapes an image of what the finished restoration will look like onto the scaffolding on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Carolyn Macleod, KC Restoration, bottom and Nick Seraphim, above, prepare the wall on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Carolyn Macleod, KC Restoration, applies a solution on the wall to determine how they will move forward on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The section of the Berlin Wall that will be restored on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A video crew prepares to photograph the start of the Berlin Wall restoration on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Carolyn Macleod, KC Restoration, bottom and Nick Seraphim, above, continue to restore the wall on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Nick Seraphim holds a photograph to guide him as he continues to restore the wall on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Carolyn Macleod, KC Restoration, continues to restore the wall on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Carolyn Macleod, KC Restoration, bottom and Nick Seraphim, above, continue to restore the wall on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Nick Seraphim holds a photograph to guide him as he continues to restore the wall on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Students on a tour as Carolyn Macleod, KC Restoration, bottom and Nick Seraphim, above, continue to restore the wall on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Carolyn Macleod, KC Restoration, and Nick Seraphim, are finishing up the restoration to the wall on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Nick Seraphim is finishing up the restoration to the wall on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Carolyn Macleod, KC Restoration, and Nick Seraphim, are finishing up the restoration to the wall on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. The 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley is due for a cosmetic overhaul. Once displaying a colorful graffiti large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, the historic icon needs an overhaul after years of direct sunlight caused the butterfly image to fade. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Since the wall arrived at the Reagan Library, millions of visitors, including hundreds of thousands of school children, have visited and learned its lesson of democracy and freedom for all represented by the butterfly.
“The other side of the wall is white, do you know why?” a library docent asked a group of school children recently. “So the East Germans could see someone trying to escape and could shoot them.”
The library’s landscaping and maintenance supervisor for the past 29 years stopped by to observe the artists doing their work.
“So many kids have been taught about the history of the Berlin Wall,” said Ernesto Madrigal Tapia. “It’s about freedom, let’s be free.”
The restoration took an estimated 24 hours. The public is invited to see the restored version which is located in the grassy area at the back of the library.
