Visit the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Missouri

It’s one thing to learn about the presidents of the United States in school. It’s another to explore their presidential libraries. Over the past several years, I’ve taken the opportunities to visit presidential libraries to learn about their years in office, life before their presidency and what they did following their presidential term(s). Last summer, I explored the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Missouri and loved learning more about his history.

President Truman had to make some very difficult decisions during his tenure that would be felt around the globe. One quote at the library highlights the importance he put on trying to be a peacemaker – “Our goal must be – not peace in our time – but peace for all time.”

Here’s a rundown to help you plan a visit to the Truman Presidential Library and a taste of what you’ll find from his years in office.

Directions and Tickets to the Truman Presidential Library

The Harry S Truman Presidential Library is located in Independence, Missouri – roughly 20 minutes east of downtown Kansas City. There is adequate parking available for visitors, and there’s no fee for parking.

The museum (or presidential library) is open Monday through Saturday from 9-5pm and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. However, the museum is closed on Sundays in January, February and March.

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Tickets can be purchased online in advance of your visit. Your ticket is valid for the day you select in the online ticketing process. You’ll want to plan on two hours to enjoy everything in the Truman Presidential Library.

Ticket prices range from $5 (Youth 13-18) to $12 (Adults). Children 12 and under are free. There is special pricing for seniors and veterans ($10), while college students – with ID – are $8.

The Childhood and Young Adult Years of Harry S. Truman

One of the best parts about touring a presidential library is learning that those who have been president of the United States were once kids just like us. Harry Truman was no different. He was born in 1884 in Missouri.

During your visit, you can read about the type of boy he was. He played the piano, and you can watch some video footage of him playing. In a way, these exhibits humanize him and bring greater understating to the values that influenced his decisions as President.

During World War I, Harry fought in the fields of France. You can learn all about his military history and the role he played in The Great War. You can also learn about his young adult life and his marriage to Elizabeth Virginia Wallace.

He became involved in politics and was active in the Democratic Party. He became a senator in 1934 and eventually Vice President of the United States to then President Franklin D Roosevelt.

Taking on the Office of President during WWII

Throughout World War II, President Roosevelt worked hard to protect America’s interests as war waged on. While the end of the war was in sight, he never got to see it to the end. On April 12, 1945, he passed away, passing the torch of US President to Harry S Truman.

As you make your way through the Truman Presidential Library, listen to the radio broadcasts announcing Roosevelts passing and the weight of President that now rested upon Truman. He stated, “I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me.” I can only imagine how heavy that burden felt.

The first four months of his presidency saw some major global changes. The war in Europe came to a close on May 8, 1945, but the war continued to rage in Japan. President Truman was read in to a top secret project that would bring the global conflict to an end – the atomic bomb.

In early August 1945, two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. Eventually Japan surrendered and the war came to an end. But Truman would continue to lead the country and support the world through post-war efforts.

I was drawn to the exhibit area on the Berlin Air Lift. My grandpa was a pilot in that effort, transporting coal into Berlin, despite the Russian efforts to control the area. it was interesting to learn more about that effort, noting the role my grandpa played in it.

Global Events and the Role of the United States

Truman served as President from 1945 to 1953. If you know your history, you’ll know about the major global conflicts and peacekeeping efforts taking place during those years. As you make your way through the Truman Presidential Library, you can read all about his efforts to bring peace and support on a global scale.

In 1948, when Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion read a proclamation where a new State of Israel would be created, President Truman recognized the nation moments later.

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Along the route through the museum, you can learn more about the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan and even the development of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, all established by 1950.

Then, in the early 1950s, when North Korean began invading South Korea (an American ally), the American military launched a counter attack to push the North Koreans back. The war didn’t end until after Truman left office in 1953

One of the more interesting exhibits was centered around the 1948 presidential election. There’s a photo of Truman holding up a newspaper with the headline “Dewey Defeats Truman”. I was confused for a bit, because it seemed like Truman was president for a few more years. Well, it turns out the Chicago Daily Tribune got the headline wrong when they published their paper following the 1948 presidential election on November 3, 1948.

The Truman Family History and Collection

After touring the main exhibit area as described above? Don’t miss the chance to step into the Oval Office as it looked at the time of President Truman. While you aren’t allowed to walk in very far, you are able to see the paintings and photos on the wall, the books on the shelves and the items on his desk.

In the basement of the Truman Presidential Library, you’ll find a personal collection of sorts, diving deeper into the family life of Harry, his wife Virginia and their only child Mary. The largest artifacts on display are likely the two family vehicles from their day.

It was nice to look at and read about the Truman family and what life was like for them before, during and after Harry’s time as President. There are several family photos, artifacts or presents presented to the Truman family and more.

I definitely recommend taking the time to visit and read about their family life.

Truman’s Office Post-Presidency and His Burial Ground

Don’t miss out on the center courtyard of the Truman Presidential Library. That’s where you’ll find the final resting spot of Harry and his wife. It’s a beautiful and serene garden area, perfect for a burial location. It also serves as a place to ponder his life, the global conflicts he encountered and the efforts he made to bring peace to all.

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Accessible from the center courtyard is a door to see where Truman spent his days after serving as the nation’s leader. It was here where he continued his efforts to bring people together and serve the nations of the world.

There was also a great quote that I loved and will wrap up this article with:

Readers of good books, particularly books of biography and history, are preparing themselves for leadership. Not all readers become leaders, but all leaders must be readers.”

President Harry S. Truman

The Details

Address: 500 W US Highway 24, Independence, MO 64050

How long to spend: 1-2 hours

Cost: $12 for adults (18+); $10 for seniors (62+) and veterans; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for youth (ages 13-18); Children under 13 are free.

Hours: Open Monday-Saturday, 9-5pm and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The museum is closed on Sundays in January, February and March.

Website: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/

Phone: (816) 268-8200

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