Harry S. Truman Little White House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Little White House
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Naval Station Key West, Florida United States |
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| Built | 1890 |
| Architect | Scott, McDermott & Higgs; U.S. Navy |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000652 |
| Added to NRHP | February 12, 1974 |
The Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West, Florida, was a special place where President Harry S. Truman stayed often. It was like his "winter White House." He spent 175 days there over 11 visits. The house is in the Truman Annex area of Old Town, Key West.
Contents
History of the Little White House
The Little White House was built in 1890. It was first used as living quarters for naval officers at the U.S. naval station. A local company, Scott, McDermott & Higgs, designed the house in 1889. It was a wooden building with two parts. One part was for the base commander, and the other was for the paymaster.
In 1911, the building became a single home for the base commander. More land was added in front of the house. Later, a new building blocked its view of the water.
Early Presidential Visits
The first President to visit this site was William Howard Taft in December 1912. He arrived by train on Flagler's Overseas Railroad. President Taft stayed in Key West before sailing to Panama. He went there to check on the canal that was being built.
During World War I, a famous inventor named Thomas Edison lived in the house. He was helping with the war effort. He worked on 41 underwater weapons during his six-month stay. The house continued to be the main office for the naval base through World War II.
President Truman's Stays
In November 1946, President Harry S. Truman was very tired after 19 months in office. His doctor told him to take a warm vacation. Truman arrived in Key West in November 1946. When he left, he said he would come back whenever he needed a rest.
His second vacation was in March 1947. This started a pattern of visits every November-December and February-March. New technology allowed the President to talk with many leaders at once. He could also have staff fly from Washington to Key West for meetings in just three hours. Truman realized that wherever the President was, that was the White House. Documents sent from the Little White House even said "The White House, US Naval Station, Key West, Florida." President Truman spent a total of 175 days of his presidency at this house.
In 1948, important meetings happened at the Little White House. James Forrestal met with military leaders to plan the creation of the Department of Defense. This plan was called the Key West Agreement. It was named after the place where the main ideas were agreed upon.
During Truman's visits, his Cabinet members and leaders from other countries often came to Key West. They would go fishing and play poker. After Truman won his re-election in 1948, a street in Key West was renamed Truman Avenue in his honor.
After Truman left office, he came back to Key West several times. He stayed in different places then.
Later Government Use
From 1948 to 1949, General Dwight D. Eisenhower held meetings here. These meetings led to the creation of the Department of Defense. He returned in December 1955 and January 1956 as President. He came to recover from a heart attack.
President John F. Kennedy and British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan had a meeting here in March 1961. President Kennedy visited a second time in 1962. This was right after the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The house was used by the Naval Station's commanding officer until March 1974. The submarine base closed because the Navy started using nuclear submarines instead of diesel ones. On February 12, 1974, the house was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Becoming a Museum
On January 1, 1987, the house was given to the State of Florida. It is now kept as a public museum. In 1990, almost a million dollars was spent to make the house look like it did in 1949. A special group is working to restore it even more. They also hold educational events each spring about Truman's impact on today's world.
In 1991, the house opened as a state historic site and museum. Today, visitors can take guided tours. They can see the rooms where the Trumans lived, worked, and relaxed. Items like President Truman's briefcase, books, telephone, and his famous "The Buck Stops Here" sign are still on his desk. The back of the sign says, "I'm From Missouri."
Former President Jimmy Carter and his family had a reunion here in 1996. In April 2001, Secretary of State Colin Powell started peace talks here. These talks were between President Robert Kocharyan of Armenia and Heydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan.
In January 2005, former President Bill Clinton and his wife, then Senator Hillary Clinton, spent a weekend relaxing at the house.
The Society of Presidential Descendants meets at the house. They have their yearly meeting on Presidents' Day.
Images for kids
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Official log of Harry Truman's December 3–8, 1947 visit to Key West, from the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.
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Official log of Harry Truman's March 12 to April 10, 1950 visit to Key West.
See also
