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(Small) body of presidential knowledge

Presidential enthusiast Arden Hayes, 5, poses in front of a painting titled "A Presidential Pantheon," by Victor Lee, at the Nixon library in Yorba Linda.

Presidential enthusiast Arden Hayes, 5, poses in front of a painting titled “A Presidential Pantheon,” by Victor Lee, at the Nixon library in Yorba Linda.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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Five-year-old Arden Hayes loves Legos. And presidents. He’s been reading up on history and can name the chief executives in order and tell you a little — OK, a lot — about them. When he found out that he shared a birthday with FDR, he decided to find out more about him, and about the other presidents. Now he is practically a walking presidential library.
Read more: This presidential database loves running and Legos

Ardent for presidents

Arden Hayes briefly adopts the hairstyle of William Henry Harrison, president No. 9.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Ardent for presidents

Arden Hayes on the presidential seal at the Reagan library in Simi Valley.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Ardent for presidents

Arden Hayes in front of an image of Air Force One at the Reagan library.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Ardent for presidents

Arden Hayes poses for his mother, Lynn, in front of a photograph of Richard Nixon being sworn in as president in 1969. The inauguration photo is part of a new exhibit at the Nixon library in Yorba Linda.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Ardent for presidents

Arden Hayes takes a Washingtonian stance next to portraits of the first U.S. president at the Huntington Library in San Marino.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Ardent for presidents

Arden Hayes touches a piece of history: a section of the Berlin Wall, at the Reagan library in Simi Valley.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Ardent for presidents

Lynn Hayes and son Arden read a book about President Benjamin Harrison during a visit to the Silver Lake Library.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Ardent for presidents

Lynn Hayes and son Arden at their home in South Pasadena.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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