Harry S Truman, our 33rd President, was born in Missouri in 1884. He became president upon Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death on April 12, 1945. He was elected on his own as president in 1948, and served until 1953.President Truman greets you as you enter the museum.Truman served in World War I as Captain.After the war, Truman opened a men’s clothing store in downtown Kansas City.Harry and Bess’ wedding announcement.Truman served in the Senate from 1935 until he became Vice President in 1945.This is the Bible that was used when Truman was sworn into office as President.Interestingly, as Vice President, Truman had only met with President Roosevelt twice prior to FDR’s death, and Truman was totally unaware of the atomic bomb the US had been developing. He made the decision to drop the bombs on Japan, ending World War II.Letter written on rice paper from President Chiang Kai-shek of the Republic of China to President Truman.After the war, our attention turned to the developing threat from Communist Soviet Union.With the Soviet blockade of West Berlin, President Truman ordered supplies dropped in via airplane, the “Berlin Airlift”, delivering billions of pounds of food and supplies to the people.On May 14, 1948, the state of Israel declared itself an independent nation. President Truman issued a “de facto” recognition of the new state. In 1949, following the first elections in Israel, the US officially recognized them as a nation.Ancient pottery vessels gifted to Truman. The footed vase dates from 2000 to 1800 BC. The rounded base pitcher dates from the time of the Jewish Kings 1000 to 800 BC. The long-necked cruet served as a wine decanter in the first century AD.Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion gifted this menorah to President Truman in 1951, It dates back to at least 1767, when it was donated to a synagogue in Germany.Because of low approval numbers, much of America was sure Truman would lose the election of 1948, so much so that some newspapers printed the headlines before the results were in!Many of President Truman’s Square Deal programs were not enacted into law.Korea became hot.We went to war in Korea. President Truman skirted the Constitutional requirement for Congress to declare war by calling the war “police action”. Congress has not declared war since World War II, even though our military has been at war numerous times. This precedent started with the Korean War.President Truman’s most famous quote.The Truman’s White House china.President Truman spent time at the “Truman Little White House” in Key West FL.Exact replica of President Truman’s Oval Office.The stages of Truman’s life…1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan used during the Truman administration.Truman’s post-presidency office.President Harry and First Lady Bess Truman’s graves.
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.
After seeing all the cherry trees for the Cherry Blossom Festival, we had time to walk over to the FDR Memorial.FDR and his dog Fala.FDR was paralyzed by Polio.First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.Soup lines during the Great DepressionGreat DepressionListening to FDR’s “Fireside Chats”.FDR Funeral
President Ulysses Grant, our 18th president, from 1869-1877, lived in this house with his wife Julia after he retired from the army (before the Civil War). He lived here before and after the war. After he left the presidency, he lived in New York City.The house is open for public tours, but we were there early and it was not open yet.Belvedere Mansion, built in 1857, considered the finest mansion in Galena. (Nothing to do with Grant, but it is significant to Galena IL).
This is the birthplace of President Herbert Hoover, our 31st president, from 1929-1933. He was born here in 1874.In this two room house lived Herbert’s parents and three children! Tight quarters!Rear of the house.Their bathroom.Hoover’s father was a blacksmith.The little box beside the brick chimney says “Seat for boys Tad-Bertie”. Bertie was the future president.Hoover attended this schoolhouse.Teacher’s desk.Penmanship workbook – an obsolete school subject.Student’s desk and books.The Friends (Quaker) Meeting House. Hoover was raised Quaker.Men sat on the right side of the partition.Women sat on the left side, with access to the cry room.The cry room.Unfortunately the Presidential Museum was closed due to COVID fear.The museum campus is very park-like.The graves of President Herbert and First Lady Lou Hoover.
