Harry S Truman
National Historic Site
The Site includes the Truman Home in Independence, Missouri, and the Truman Farm Home in Grandview, Missouri. Both units are within the Kansas City metropolitan area (population 1.5 million).
Truman Home
Harry S Truman (1884-1972), 33rd President of the United States, lived here from 1919 until his death. The white Victorian style house at 219 North Delaware Street was built by the maternal grandfather of Bess Wallace Truman (1885-1982), and was known as the "Summer White House" during the Truman Administration. The site also includes the two adjacent homes of Mrs. Truman's brothers, and, across Delaware Street, the home of the President's favorite aunt and cousins.
Truman Farm Home
Built in 1894 by Harry Truman's maternal grandmother, the Farm Home is the centerpiece of a 5-acre remnant of the family's former 600-acre farm. Mr. Truman worked the farm as a young man, from 1906-1917. It was here, said his mother, that Harry got his "common sense." Several outbuildings also remain on the site.
Total Federal acreage for both the Independence and Grandview units is 6.67.
LOCATION:
Independence and Grandview, Missouri
ADDRESS:
Harry S Truman NHS
223 North Main Street
Independence, MO 64050
TELEPHONE:
Information: (816) 254-7199
Visitor Center: (816) 254-9929
Park Office: (816) 254-2720
VISITATION:
Approximately 60,000 persons per year tour the Truman Home. The Site is busy from April through October, with highest visitation in June and July; lowest in January and February.
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
The Independence Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Guided tours of the Truman Home begin at 9:00 a.m.; the last scheduled tour begins at 4:45 p.m. No tours of the Truman Home are offered on Mondays between Labor Day and Memorial Day (September through May).
Guided tours of the Truman Farm Home are available 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May through August. Self-guided tours of the grounds are available daily.
Both units are closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
FEES, COSTS, RATES:
Truman Home tour tickets cost two dollars ($2.00) for adults 17 and older, free for children 16 and younger. All visitors must have a ticket to tour the Truman Home. All Federal passports are accepted.
RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Tours of the Truman Home begin every 15 minutes, and are limited to eight persons. Each visitor must obtain a ticket at the visitor center (Truman Road and Main Street). Tickets are issued daily on a first come, first served basis. During the high visitation season, a day's tours are often booked by 12:30 p.m. It is advisable to arrive early, and reserve a place on the first available tour. Advance reservations are not accepted.
Truman Farm Home tours begin every half-hour, and are limited to six persons. Tours are available on a first come, first served basis.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
The Independence visitor center has an introductory audiovisual program, interpretive exhibits, bookstore and rest rooms.
There is no visitor center in Grandview. Portable toilets are available on the Farm site.
Programs/Activities:
In addition to guided tours of the Truman Home and Truman Farm Home, a one-hour guided walking tour of historic Independence and the Truman neighborhood is offered at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. daily, between Memorial Day and Labor Day (June through August).
Accessibility:
A Stair-Trac device provides wheelchair access to the Truman Home. The Truman Farm Home is wheelchair accessible only on the first floor. German, Spanish, Japanese, French, large-type and hearing-impaired tour scripts are available. A close-captioned audiovisual program is available on request.
Food/Supplies:
None available at the Site, but all services can be found in the immediate area.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Variable all year in both temperature and precipitation. Winters can be cold, sometimes severe. Summers are usually extremely hot and humid.
TRANSPORTATION:
The Kansas City area is served by several interstate and federal highways: I-70 from the east or west, I-29 from the north, I-35 from the north or southwest, Route 71 from the south, Route 50 from the southeast, and Route 24 from the northeast. The metro area is ringed by I-435.
The area is also served by air, rail and bus. Travel to Independence and Grandview by bus and taxi.
DIRECTIONS:
To Independence: The visitor center is located at the intersection of Truman Road and Main Street, in historic Fire Station No.1. From the north or south, take I-435 to the Truman Road exit. Travel east on Truman Road three miles (you'll pass the Truman Home at Delaware Street). From the east or west, take I-70 to the Noland Road exit. Travel north on Noland Road four miles to Truman Road. Turn west on Truman Road and travel two blocks.
To Grandview: The Truman Farm Home is located amid the retail and commercial district along Blue Ridge Boulevard. From the east or west, take I-435 and exit southbound on Route 71. From the north or south, travel Route 71 and take the Blue Ridge Boulevard exit. Travel west one mile. The Farm Home is on the left, set back from the road.
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum is located less than a mile from the Truman Home, down Delaware Street. Mr. Truman served as an administrative judge at the Jackson County Courthouse, just one block from the visitor center. The rich history of Independence is preserved at the National Frontier Trails Center, Mormon Visitor Center, Bingham©Waggoner estate, Vaille mansion, Log Courthouse, and the Jail & Marshall's Home museum. Many other attractions are available in the Kansas City area.
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Last Updated:Monday, 13-Jan-97 11:18:56
http://www.nps.gov/hstr/
Author: R. Scott Stone