Bush library logs record attendance day

DALLAS, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The George W. Bush Presidential Library in Dallas set a single-day attendance record Friday thanks to a new Christmas exhibit, the library's director said.

Alan Lowe, the library's director, said the library on the campus of Southern Methodist University saw 3,800 visitors -- up from the average 1,000 normal daily visitors since the facility's opening in May, the Dallas Morning News reported Monday.

Driving attendance is the library and museum's first temporary exhibit, "Home for the Holidays," showing off the White House Christmas decorations put up in 2001.

Lowe said it's the first time the public will see much of the White House's decorations from that year because tours were stopped as a security precaution after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"The response has been extraordinarily positive," Lowe said.

He and former first lady Laura Bush led a tour of the new exhibit for members of the media. Bush recalled the heightened emotions of a holiday season after the devastating attacks.

"Home just meant so much more to everyone ... after Sept. 11," she said.