Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Museum and Library

Abilene KS

Dwight David Eisenhower was born in Denison TX October 14, 1891. His family moved to Abilene KS when he was a young child. He was one of six sons.
This was Eisenhower’s high school desk.
This museum is very well organized and laid out, and is extremely detailed. Rather than me explaining the different stages in Eisenhower’s life and career, I will let the display signs do the job in chronological order. You can see how step-by-step he was prepared for the job he did in World War II.
Map of the world during World War II, showing the daunting challenge the US and Allies faced.
War bonds poster.
This the actual table General Eisenhower used to plan the Normandy invasion.
This 1942 Cadillac Fleetwood was used by General Eisenhower during and after the war.
Ike’s leather map case, 5-star general’s automobile flag, map case full of maps, binoculars, General of the Army Commission, and his General of the Army uniform.
Ike ran for president and won in 1952. As our 34th president, he served two terms, 1953-1961. (He was president when I was born).
First Lady Mamie Eisenhower set American fashion trends in the 1950s, the “Mamie Look”.
The Eisenhowers’ White House china.
As president, Eisenhower faced critical new issues.
President Eisenhower meeting Soviet Union Premier Nikita Kruschev.
ARPA (predecessor to DARPA) was established by President Eisenhower.
Civil Rights for African-Americans advanced during President Eisenhower’s term. The Supreme Court invalidated segregation in the schools in 1954, and the Civil Rights Act of 1957 was enacted. He also sent the National Guard to enforce desegregation at Central High School in Little Rock AR in 1957, in direct opposition to Arkansas governor Orval Faubus, who tried to keep the African-American students out of the school.
American lifestyle in the 1950s.
A most prescient warning from President Eisenhower in his farewell. Too bad the country didn’t heed his advice.
President Eisenhower died March 28, 1969 in Washington DC. He had been living at his farm in Gettysburg PA.
President Dwight and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower are buried in Abilene KS in the Meditation Chapel on the museum grounds.