Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum |
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| General information | |
| Location | 500 West U.S. Highway 24 Independence, Missouri, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 39°06′12″N 94°25′15″W / 39.10333°N 94.42083°W |
| Named for | Harry S Truman |
| Inaugurated | Dedicated on July 6, 1957 |
| Cost | $1,700,000 |
| Management | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Edward Neild (primary), Gentry and Voskamp |
The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum is a special place in Independence, Missouri. It's where you can learn all about Harry S. Truman, who was the 33rd president of the United States from 1945 to 1953. It's also the resting place for President Truman, his wife Bess Truman, and their daughter Margaret Truman.
This library was the very first one created under a law called the 1955 Presidential Libraries Act. It's one of thirteen presidential libraries managed by the National Archives and Records Administration. These libraries help keep important historical documents and items safe for everyone to learn from.
Contents
History of the Truman Library
The idea for the library came from private groups and people who raised money. President Truman himself helped a lot by giving speeches and writing many letters to ask for support.
The library was built on a hill in Independence, Missouri, with a view of the Kansas City skyline. The city even donated the land! It officially opened on July 6, 1957. Important people like former President Herbert Hoover and former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt attended the ceremony.
A very important event happened here on July 30, 1965. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Medicare Act into law at the library. This law created a program to help older Americans with their healthcare costs.
Special Items Stolen from the Museum
Over the years, the museum has had some valuable items stolen. In 1962, a collection of 450 rare coins, donated by Truman's friend John Wesley Snyder, was taken. None of these coins have ever been found. However, many coin collectors worked together to create a new collection, which went on display in 1967.
Later, in 1978, burglars broke into the museum again. They stole three fancy swords and two daggers. These items were gifts to President Truman from the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Iran. They were decorated with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. These valuable items have also never been found, and the FBI is still looking for them.
Library Design and Look
The main architect for the library was Edward F. Neild. President Truman had worked with Neild before on courthouse projects in Jackson County, Missouri. Neild also helped with the renovation of the White House when Truman was president.
Sadly, Neild passed away while working on the library's design. Another architect, Alonzo H. Gentry, finished the project. In 2001, the entire building got a big update, which added more glass and changed the area around Truman's grave.
President Truman's Time at the Library
After leaving the White House in 1953, President Truman stayed very involved with his library. He often worked there five or six days a week. He even trained the museum guides himself! Sometimes, he would answer the phone and surprise callers by saying he was "the man himself."
Many famous people visited him at the library. These visitors included other presidents like Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard Nixon. Famous actors like Jack Benny and Ginger Rogers also came to see him.
Truman's Personal Office
When the library opened in 1957, President Truman moved his personal office there. He used this office to write articles, letters, and his book, Mr. Citizen.
Today, you can still see his office exactly as it was when he passed away on December 26, 1972. It's a popular spot for visitors. In 2007, the library worked to preserve and restore the office, making it easier for people to view and learn about how he worked.
Truman Family Resting Place
President Truman's funeral services were held in the library's auditorium. He was then buried in the library's courtyard. His wife, Bess Truman, was buried next to him in 1982.
Their daughter, Margaret Truman Daniel, and her husband, Clifton Daniel, are also buried in the courtyard. This makes the library a special family resting place.
What You Can See and Do
The library has two floors of exhibits. You can see photographs, important documents, and items from Truman's life and presidency. There are also film clips and a movie about his life.
One cool feature is a replica of the Oval Office, which is the president's main office in the White House. Many other presidential libraries have copied this idea!
The library also has an educational program called The White House Decision Center. In this program, students can pretend to be President Truman and his advisors. They get to make tough historical decisions, just like a real president would, in a recreated White House setting.
Art at the Library
The lobby entrance of the library features a large mural called Independence and the Opening of the West. This amazing artwork was painted by Thomas Hart Benton over three years and was finished in 1961.
Notable Visitors to the Library
Many important people have visited the library over the years. After President Truman's passing in 1972, these visitors included presidents like Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton. Leaders from around the world, such as Kofi Annan, who was the Secretary-General of the United Nations, have also given speeches there.
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca y Museo Presidencial de Harry S. Truman para niños
