Presidential Libraries: Eisenhower and Truman

Harry S. Truman Presidential Library

 

Abilene, Kansas and Independence, Missouri---Two more Presidential Libraries and Museums were near my path across the country so I included both on side trips. Being in these centers of information put a face on names that have become only words. Historical figures that I had no personal connection with. Walking into any Presidential Library and Museum has changed that.

 

Eisenhower 

Set in Eisenhower's boyhood home of Abilene, a small historical cow town that continues to have a charm about it. There is the "Library": where 26 million pages of historical records and papers, 335,000 still photos, 768,000 feet of original motion picture film and 68,000 artifacts. Then there is a museum: the most interesting for a visitor. But also on the grounds of this 22-acre complex that opened in 1954, is the farm home he grew up in with his parents and five brothers lived still standing on the original site.

 

Obviously, each of these museums are going to spin history in the best light possible for the president named, but history is left for what is written and what is known to be believed. HOWEVER, in these museums, it is hard to argue with a film of a president giving a speech...it is his words exactly. Or for that matter, interviews from the president and interviews with others from his staff at the time. This is the glimpse of history that will let you form your own opinions, followed by walking through a museum filled with his things and things from that time period.



 

Eisenhower's statue

Exclusive rose variety

"A people that values its privileges

above its principles soon loses both."

Dwight D. Eisenhower, first inaugural address, Jan. 20, 1953



Truman

Next was a trip to The Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, only a 20 minute drive from the Kansas suburbs of Kansas City. Independence feels like a suburb of a large city and has a grit about it.

Dedicated in 1957, the museum shows archives of the nearly eight years he led. This was the president that was in office when World War II ended, including of course, the dropping of the atomic bomb. Also the forming of the United Nations, NATO, the Marshal Plan and the beginning of the Cold War.   I loved that his story included that it was because of his crush on a women that made him want to go from a country boy to striving for success to gain her attention...which he did and Bess became his wife and love of his life.

They are both buried on the grounds of the complex.

Again, watching a 45 minute film on his life, including speeches and clips let me see for myself and have a first hand impression of the man named Harry Truman.


Just like the George W Bush Library, this has an oval office but you can not sit behind the desk like at W's.





Presidential speech with Truman's hand written edits

     "When even one American - who has done nothing wrong - is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth - then all Americans are in peril."

Harry S. Truman

Artist Thomas Hart Benton had a display at the museum at this time.

Pearl Harbor

Paper Dolls of the Truman family...





Compared to George W's tighty whities, ( http://bit.ly/10mAG9E )  these presidential undies show Truman's time period.
 Bess, however does NOT look happy about this paper doll pose either!