Guest Author - Beth Green

Often times we don’t take advantage of the tourist sites and historic attractions that are in our own backyard, unless we have visitors in town. At least I don’t. My boyfriend recently moved here from Indiana, so I’ve been getting to play tour guide lately and show him some of the local tourist attractions. I want to get into the habit of frequenting some of these sites, especially when there’s nothing else going on. That’s why, on a recent, lazy day, I suggested to him that we go to the Harry S Truman Presidential Museum and Library.

If you’re in the Kansas City area and have never been to the Truman Library, it’s worth a visit. 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the library, which recently underwent a major renovation. After you enter the main doors and pay admission, you pass through the lobby which contains some letters and other papers from Truman’s terms as President. The lobby also features a mural by famed Missouri artist Thomas Hart Benton. Your first stop after the lobby should be the replica of the Oval Office that is directly opposite the main doors. A recording done by Truman himself directs you to view the different parts of the Oval Office and what they were like when he was in office. The items Truman used on his desk are here, as well as a floor globe that replaced one he received from General Eisenhower. When General Eisenhower was elected President after Truman, Truman gave the original globe back to Eisenhower.

To the right of the lobby on the main floor is the permanent exhibit of Truman’s Presidential years, highlighting the major issues and events that occurred during his years as Commander-in-Chief. The lower level of the museum features another permanent exhibit, Harry S Truman: Life and Times, which highlights Truman’s life both before and after the Presidency. Also on the lower level is the area where temporary exhibits are housed. The current temporary exhibit is Treasures of The Presidents, a collection of more than 200 artifacts from the 11 existing Presidential Libraries.

The library courtyard features an Eternal Flame, which was a gift to the library from the American Legion Post #21 in Independence Missouri, given in honor of President Truman, who was a Legionnaire. You can also view the office that Truman used in the library after he left the White House in January of 1952. The centerpiece of the courtyard however, is the final resting place of President Truman and his wife, Bess. President Truman was buried there on December 28, 1972 and Bess joined her dear Harry ten years later, in October of 1982.

Before you leave the library, you’ll want to check out the museum gift shop, where you can buy replicas of Truman’s famous “The Buck Stops Here” sign, as well as other Truman memorabilia.

The Truman Presidential Museum and Library is located in Independence, Missouri. Library hours are 9am-5pm Monday through Saturday, and noon-5pm Sundays. On Thursdays from May to September, the library and museum are open until 9pm. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $3 for children 6-18. Children under 5 are free. Admission is also free on Thursdays from 5-9pm from May to September.

Other Truman attractions near the Library in Independence include the Truman Home, the Jackson County Courthouse and courtroom where Truman presided as Judge, and Clinton’s Drug Store on Independence Square, where Truman had one of his first jobs. The Truman Farm is located just a few miles away in Grandview.