Truman in the News | May 11, 2020
The nation has once again turned its attention to the 33rd president as we observe the 75th anniversary of Harry Truman’s presidency. The following is just a sampling of some of the recent media highlights focused on our favorite president:
McCullough, Albright and Baime are Wild About Harry! | April 23, 2020
The Truman Library Institute’s annual fundraiser, Wild About Harry, was originally scheduled to take place today. While we are disappointed not to be gathering with our Truman community this evening, we’re very excited to announce that Wild About Harry, including the presentation of the Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award to General James Mattis, has been rescheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2020. We hope you will mark your calendar and make plans to join us.
“The First Five Days” Webinar Series | April 20, 2020
75th Anniversary Webinar Recordings
The Truman Library Institute commemorated the 75th anniversary of Truman’s presidency with a special webinar series looking back on Truman’s first few days as President. Hosts Clifton Truman Daniel, President Truman’s eldest grandson, and Truman Library Director Dr. Kurt Graham led webinar discussions in an interactive, five-part series about Truman’s first days as the leader of the free world.
An Update on the Truman Library’s Transformation | March 27, 2020
The Truman Library’s transformative renovation project has made excellent progress through the winter. Below are updated photos taken on March 18. Read More
TRU History | March 16, 2020
Harry Truman and the 1918 Pandemic
In 1918, the most severe pandemic in recent history spread through the world at alarming rates. Nearly one-third of the world’s population became infected and approximately 50 million people succumbed world wide — over half a million in the United States.
The H1N1 virus, popularly referred to as the Spanish flu, began wreaking havoc around the globe just as World War I was coming to an end.
Thousands of American soldiers remained in Europe after the war’s conclusion due to logistical transportation issues. One soldier awaiting transport was Captain Harry S. Truman who led Battery D of the 35th Division. Read More
Truman Library Groundbreaking Ceremony | September 17, 2019
Gov. Parson, Archivist Ferriero and Clifton Truman Daniel Break Ground on Library
The Truman Library’s transformative renovation officially kicked off on September 5 with a groundbreaking ceremony featuring Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Archivist of the U.S. David Ferriero, Missouri State Senator John Rizzo, the president’s grandson Clifton Truman Daniel as well as many other local officials and friends of the Truman Library.
Highlights of the special remarks made from a few of our distinguished speakers include the following:
More than 125 friends, donors, board members and local dignitaries joined us for a very special day that will go into the books as one of the great days in the history of the Truman Library. The historic ceremony drew the attention of local media, with coverage from Fox 4, KMBC, KCTV 5, The Examiner and more.
The Truman Library is currently closed for a massive renovation. Learn more about the exciting future of the Truman Library here.
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Event Preview | August 2, 2019
History Happy Hour: In the Kitchen with Bess
Friday, August 16, 2019 from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Truman Library Institute
5151 Troost Ave., Ste. 300
Kansas City, MO 64110
On Friday, August 16, the Truman Library is hosting a History Happy Hour event featuring one of the Truman Library’s archivists, Tammy K. Williams. This event takes place at the Truman Library Institute in Kansas City and will feature Williams exploring Bess Truman’s recipe box, including recipes that she gave out and received, food trends in the 1940s and 1950s, and some of the Truman family favorite foods and meals.
Museum Highlight | July 9, 2019
10 Things to See Before the Truman Library Closes for a Year
The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum recently announced a significant renovation that will close the Library for a year. Though the closing date, July 22, is approaching, there are still opportunities for guests to step into Harry and Bess Truman’s world before the doors close.
Event Preview | June 26, 2019
History Happy Hour: Women at War with Natalie Walker
Friday, July 12, 2019 from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
3 Trails Brewing
111 N. Main St.
Independence, MO 64050
On Friday, July 12, the Truman Library is hosting a History Happy Hour event featuring Truman Library Institute Museum / Archives Technician Natalie Walker. This event takes place at 3 Trails Brewing in on the Independence Square and will feature Walker examining what followed President Truman’s landmark decision to sign the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act (June 12, 1948). Walker will discuss the impact of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act through the fascinating story of Ernie Wagner, who served in the Air Force in the Korean War. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look of the Truman Library’s extensive collection as Walker uses artifacts and photos from Wagner to tell her story.
9 Love Letters in 9 Years | March 20, 2019
The Courtship of Harry and Bess
Harry S. Truman and Bess Wallace carried on a nine-year courtship almost entirely through letters and some supervised visits. Harry first met Bess when they attended Sunday school together in 1890. Harry was six years old and Bess was five.
By 1910, Harry began what some call his longest “campaign” — the courtship of Bess Wallace. Nine years after sending his first letter, Harry and Bess married on June 28, 1919.
Below are a selection of letters, one from each year of their courtship, that give brief insights into Harry’s feelings for Bess and his determination to one day wed the “one girl in the world” for him.
