Experience the story of America—its triumphs and its trials, its progress and its promise—and the enduring ideals that continue to guide us.

As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the Truman Library Institute and the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum will present a star-spangled array of programs, historic exhibitions, engaging community events and exclusive Member experiences.

Click below to explore the full range of programs, and stay in touch for event and exhibit announcements.

America250: We Hold These Truths

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The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum proudly presents Megan Gorman for a revealing exploration of the little-known history behind presidential wealth, philanthropy and public service.

Gorman will draw on her celebrated book, All the Presidents’ Money, to reveal how American presidents have earned, managed, spent and given away their money—and what those choices reveal about leadership, values and the evolving relationship between private wealth and public responsibility. From personal fortunes to fundraising for public causes, the book offers a fresh lens on the presidency and the financial realities that shape it.

Megan Gorman is an author, civic leader, and longtime advocate for philanthropy and public service. Her career spans leadership roles in the nonprofit and cultural sectors, where she has championed education, historic preservation and civic engagement. Widely praised for its insight and accessibility, All the Presidents’ Money reflects her deep interest in how financial decisions intersect with democracy and the public good.

This America250 program is offered in conjunction with Presidents Day and the 2026 Bess Wallace Truman Birthday Tea, presented by the Independence Pioneers Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in partnership with the Truman Library.

RESERVE SEATS

Please note: This event is offered in person only and will not be livestreamed.

“It is impossible to look at the arc of American history—or the impact of a president—without looking at the first ladies.”
— Anita McBride, co-author of Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women
(Selected as a Best Book of 2024 by Smithsonian Scholars)

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the Truman Library Institute’s annual Women Rising event invites you to explore the lives, influence and legacies of America’s First Ladies.

David Von Drehle, New York Times bestselling author and former Washington Post columnist, shares the stage with internationally recognized author and former White House staffer Anita McBride. Together, they will explore her groundbreaking research for Remember the First Ladies, in which McBride highlights the women who broke barriers and profoundly shaped our presidents, our country and the world. From civil rights to politics, public policy and global diplomacy, First Ladies have transformed the “right-hand” role into one of lasting influence—both in public and behind the scenes.

As chief of staff to Laura Bush, McBride had an insider’s view of the First Lady’s evolving role. A knowledgeable and humorous storyteller, she will share insights into how First Ladies throughout history advanced the position of women and left their mark on the nation. She’ll also provide fascinating commentary on the under- and over-appreciated residents of the White House, drawing on her unique experience and extensive research.

Rainy Day Books will have copies of Remember the First Ladies for sale at the program, and McBride will be available for signing.

To register for this free public program, click below and choose in-person or livestream attendee.

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Celebrate White House history on the lawn of the Truman Library!

Since 1878 American Presidents and their families have celebrated Easter and the arrival of spring by hosting an egg roll on the South Lawn of the White House. The cherished tradition lives on at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum with Harry’s Hop ‘n Hunt.

Join us on Saturday, April 4, for a morning of family fun, including a White House-style egg roll race, egg hunts, face painting, balloon artists and more. The event will be held rain or shine and is free and open to the public.

All are welcome to this free day of family fun at the Truman Library, co presented with the Truman Library Institute, City of Independence, and the Independence Square Association. Registration is not required but does help us plan for a successful event.

Join Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson for an evening exploring the pivotal middle years of the American Revolution, as told in his celebrated new book, The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780 (Revolution Trilogy, 2).

Covering the turbulent period between Lexington and Princeton, Atkinson brings to life the moment when a fragile rebellion faced near collapse—and yet endured.

Drawing on deep research and vivid storytelling, Atkinson examines the strategic decisions, personal sacrifices and international stakes that shaped the fight for independence. From George Washington’s desperate appeals for men and resources, to Benjamin Franklin’s diplomatic efforts in Paris, to the brutal winter at Valley Forge and decisive battles including Saratoga and Monmouth, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how revolutions are sustained—and what democracy demands of its citizens.

Rick Atkinson is the bestselling author of eight works of narrative military history, including The Fate of the Day, The Guns at Last Light, The Day of Battle, An Army at Dawn, The Long Gray Line, In the Company of Soldiers, and Crusade. He was a reporter, foreign correspondent, war correspondent and senior editor at The Washington Post for more than 20 years. His many awards include Pulitzer Prizes for history and journalism, the George Polk Award, the George Washington Prize and the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing. He lives in Washington, D.C.

Rainy Day Books will have signed copies of The Fate of the Day and The British Are Coming available for sale at the program.

To register for this free public program, click below and choose in-person or livestream attendee. Please note: This livestream will not be archived for future viewing after the live broadcast.

REGISTER TODAY

Historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist H. W. Brands presents an inspiring portrait of George Washington that examines his unrivaled leadership in the birth of America.

Tracing his early military career and role among the Virginia gentry, through his leadership during the American Revolution and reluctant return to public service as the first president of the United States, American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington brings to life the man who was called on time and again by his peers to lead.

With a dazzling cast of characters—from the French and Indians on the Ohio frontier; to the Marquis de Lafayette, Benedict Arnold, and Baron von Steuben on the revolutionary battlefield; to Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton locked in conflict during his presidency—American Patriarch casts Washington as the icon of American virtue who wrested America free from British control, gave credibility to the Constitution, and crafted the norms that would steady America as a nation for generations to follow.

Just two days after its release on May 12, H. W. Brands will join us to discuss his newest book. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from one of America’s most respected historians and master storytellers—just ahead of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

H. W. Brands holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin. A New York Times bestselling author, he was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for The First American and Traitor to His Class.

Registration opens soon—save the date and sign up for email alerts for this and other upcoming events.

This America250 event is co-presented by Rainy Day Books.

HONOREE
David M. Rubenstein

HONORARY CHAIRS
Marny & John Sherman

EVENT CHAIRS
Karen & Steven Pack
Amy & Zachary Pack

Save the date for Wild About Harry, the premier fundraising event benefiting Harry S. Truman’s presidential library and legacy.

Held at the historic Muehlebach Hotel—President Truman’s hometown political headquarters—Wild About Harry attracts nearly 800 guests annually and features…

• Exciting sponsor benefits
• Sponsors’ Kickoff Party
• VIP Patrons’ Party
• Underwriters’ Reception
• Social Hour with open bar and live music
• Chef-curated three-course dinner with wine pairings, and so much more!

Whether you love history, love Harry, or just love a great party, you won’t want to miss Wild About Harry!

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From sandlots to stadiums, First Families to your family, experience an all-new, all-star exhibition celebrating the sporting spirit.

As Kansas City welcomes the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum invites you to explore United We Play: Kicking It with the Trumans—a new exhibition showcasing the power of sports to inspire and unite us.

Opening April 1, 2026

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As America approaches its 250th birthday, The Story of Us: America at 250 invites visitors of all ages to experience the ideals, conflicts and turning points that shaped our nation. 

Featuring rare historic documents on loan from the National Archives—many rarely seen outside Washington, D.C.—the exhibition brings America’s founding ideals to life and traces how they have been tested, challenged and expanded over 250 years.

Opening April 20, 2026

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As part of the National Archives, the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum offers something special—authentic experiences that transform how students understand our nation’s history, government and democratic ideals. Unlike typical field trips, our programs immerse students in primary sources, allowing them to explore critical decisions and develop historical thinking in a way that textbooks don’t. Each experience is designed to meet state and national standards while igniting curiosity.

Whether you’re teaching elementary social studies or AP government, our flexible programs adapt to meet your curriculum needs and learning objectives. Our team stands ready to work with you in designing the perfect experience for your students—where your students don’t just learn about democracy, they experience it.

2025-2026 Program Catalog

AMERICA250: PRESIDENTS IN PRINT

Join a dynamic community of K–12 educators at the Truman Library’s 23rd Annual Summer Teacher Conference in Independence, Missouri (15 minutes from Downtown Kansas City). America 250: Presidents in Print invites you to explore how presidents have used memoirs, letters and other personal writing to shape their public legacy and tell the story of the nation.

​During five immersive days of professional learning, participants will deepen their understanding of the president’s role in a democracy, strengthen classroom best practices, and develop new strategies to connect the historical presidency to students’ lives today. Sessions will blend primary source analysis, ready-to-use classroom materials, and collaborative planning time so teachers leave with concrete tools for the coming school year.

​This year’s keynote speaker is Craig Fehrman, author of Author in Chief: The Untold Story of Our Presidents and the Books They Wrote. He’ll share fresh insights into how presidential writing has shaped American politics, culture and memory. In addition, the Truman Library’s education team will be joined by scholars and educators from other presidential sites, offering multiple perspectives and case studies connected to this year’s theme.

Application Deadline: February 27, 2026

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Get up close with rarely viewed presidential treasures preserved at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum. Included with museum admission, White Glove Wednesday presentations are offered every third Wednesday at 11 a.m.

JANUARY 21 – On January 23, 1946 (nearly 80 years ago to the day), President Truman welcomed Medal of Honor recipients to the Oval Office—and also made time to meet with Boy Scouts from Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Find out why with Museum Registrar John Miller.

FEBRUARY 18 – In honor of First Lady Bess Wallace Truman’s birthday (February 23, 1885), Museum Technician Miranda Elliott presents a rare opportunity to view one Mrs. Truman’s formal gowns—a vintage design from Agasta Gowns, Washington, D.C.

MARCH 18 – Harry Truman was a renowned walker, but this distinctive walking stick—carved by a grateful American—must have turned heads. Join Truman Library Director Mark Adams to learn more about this unique treasure from the vault.

PLAN YOUR MUSEUM VISIT

Book one of our dynamic speakers to create a captivating and informative program for your next meeting! Engage audiences with Truman-era presentations designed to spark conversations, inspire insights and entertain. Presentations are intended for adult groups of 20 or more, and speakers are limited to a one-hour radius from Kansas City.

Now booking 2026 events!

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