During your visit to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, explore the Visitors Center and Gift Shop, take a tour of Eisenhower’s Boyhood Home and experience multiple exhibit galleries that examine the world of Eisenhower’s private and public life in the museum.
The Visitors Center
Start your visit to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in the Visitors Center. Located on the site of the former Lincoln School, where President Eisenhower first enrolled in elementary school, the Visitors Center houses and auditorium where a 23-minute introductory film on the life and times of Dwight D. Eisenhower is shown throughout the day.
Boyhood Home
Leaving the Visitors Center, make your way to the Boyhood Home of Eisenhower. Take a tour of the typical 19th century Midwestern home with a tour guide who will interpret the early life of President Eisenhower and the history of the Boyhood Home.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Museum
Located to the east of the Boyhood Home is the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Museum. Step back in time and explore exhibitions that examine the world of Eisenhower’s private and public life including Mamie and her role as First Lady. In addition, museum exhibits offer a glimpse into the 1950s. Containing over 30,000-square-feet of gallery space, the museum is made up of five major galleries: the introductory gallery, a changing exhibits gallery, a First Lady’s gallery, a military gallery and a presidential gallery, all brought to life by historic artifacts and interactive exhibits. Of special importance in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Museum is Eisenhower’s Order of Victory, a five pointed platinum star with rubies and diamonds, awarded to Eisenhower by Marshal Zhukov at Allied HQ in Frankfurt/Main, Germany on the occasion of the visit of Zhukov.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
Within the library are an estimated 26 million pages of historical records and papers, 335,000 still photographs and 768,000 feet of original motion picture film. While the manuscript holdings area of the library is not open to the public, visitors who wish to learn more about the library’s holdings can explore special exhibits in its lobby and second floor gallery.
Shopping in the Gift Shop
Enjoy shopping in the Gift Shop, located in the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum’s Visitors Center. Items unique to Dwight D. Eisenhower, World War II and Kansas are available to purchase and include everything from mugs and towels, to clothing and apparel, to toys and games.
- The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Museum’s changing exhibit gallery features different exhibits periodically that support the museum’s permanent galleries.
- Tours of the Boyhood Home are given every 15 minutes.
- Be sure to visit the Place of Meditation at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, the final resting place of Dwight D. Eisenhower, his wife Mamie and their first born son, Doud Dwight.