Category: Presidents

President Harry Truman Sites

Independence MO – August 2021

President Harry and First Lady Bess lived here beginning in 1919 when they were married. It was the “Summer White House” during his presidency 1945-1953. He lived here until he died in 1972. Truman was our 33rd president, from 1945-1953.
President Truman typically used this door to go in and out of the house. His top coat and hat are hanging on the rack inside. The building was closed due to COVID fear, so we could tour only the outside.
This was Truman’s last car – 1972 Chrysler Newport – exactly as it was when he died in 1972.
Bess’s two brothers lived in these houses next door to Truman’s house.
Harry Truman lived here from about 4 to 18 years old.
Harry Truman met Bess Wallace in the First Presbyterian Church in 1892, when he was 8 years old.
Unfortunately the museum was also closed.
The Trumans’ graves are located in a courtyard inside this building.

President Eisenhower’s Farm

Gettysburg PA – August 2021

President Dwight Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower lived on this farm in Gettysburg PA. He was our 34th president, serving 1953-1961. He was president when I was born. My mother watched his inauguration and parade in Washington DC.
This was the landing pad for the presidential helicopter whenever Eisenhower would fly home from Washington.
Gas pumps at the farm.
Check out the gas price per gallon!
The barn.
Ike loved golf, so he had this putting green installed behind the house and barn.
The red flag has 5 stars. Only 5-star generals were allowed to fly this flag.
The barn.
Front of the house. Eisenhower entertained world leaders here. Tours of the house were suspended due to COVID fear.
The rear of the house. Ike loved sitting and entertaining in the sun room and looking out over the vast meadow.
Guest house.
Inside the guest house.

President James Buchanan’s Wheatland

Lancaster PA – August 2021

This is Wheatland, home of James Buchanan, our 15th president, who served 1857-1861. He has widely been considered our worst president, primarily due to his responses to the growing hostilities leading up to the Civil War.
Rear of the house.
Entrance foyer.
Dining room.
From Buchanan’s cellar, his own 1827 Red Seal Madeira. The label also reads: Per ship “Wanderer” from India Bottled 1832.
The room from which he ran his 1856 presidential campaign.
Portrait of Buchanan.
Buchanan never married; he was our only bachelor president (Grover Cleveland was a bachelor when he became president, and he was married in the White House while president in 1886). Buchanan’s niece Harriet Lane served as Buchanan’s First Lady while he was president. Prior to his presidency Buchanan served as Minister to the Court of St. James in England. During this time, Harriet impressed Queen Victoria, and the two remained very good friends until the queen’s death in 1901. The two drawings on the wall in this room are autographed pictures of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
President Buchanan’s desk.
Buchanan’s library.
Buchanan’s bedroom. He died in this bed in 1868.
In the Lancaster Museum, this was Buchanan’s desk.
Buchanan’s limousine carriage.
Statue of President Buchanan in Buchanan Park, a couple blocks away from Wheatland.
Grave of President James Buchanan.

Berkeley/Plantations

Charles City County VA – May 2021

Berkely Plantation

Berkeley Plantation is one of the most historic homes in America. It was the sight of the first Thanksgiving, in 1619.

It was the site of the first Whiskey Distillery in the New World in 1621.

One of the first Ship Yards in the New World.

The 18-gun Man Of War was constructed here for the Revolutionary War.

Berkeley was the home of Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was also the father of William Henry Harrison, 9th president of the US (1841), who was born here in 1773. Also the great-grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, 23rd president of the US (1889-1893).

“Taps” was composed here in 1862.

President Abraham Lincoln landed here in 1862 to confer with General McClellan and to view the troops.

Memorial to the first Thanksgiving.
Whiskey Distillery exhibit.

Greenway Plantation

This is the birthplace of John Tyler, 10th president of the US (1841-1845). Greenway is a private residence and not open to the public.

Sherwood Forest Plantation

It is considered the longest A-frame house in America.