During your visit to this Independence, Missouri attraction, learn about the presidential archives housed within, explore the life and times of Harry S. Truman in the museum’s core exhibitions, or enjoy a unique shopping experience in the Museum Store.
Truman Presidential Library
The Truman Presidential Library collects preserves and makes available for research its written and visual materials that document Harry S. Truman’s career including 6,500,000 White House files. In addition to its manuscripts collection is an audiovisual collection comprised of approximately 112, 000 still pictures, 1,000 hours of audio disc and tape recordings, 400 motion pictures and 75 hours of video tape recordings. Printed materials in the Truman Presidential Library include over 30,000 books, 10,000 serials and 1,400 microfilm copies of printed materials.
Truman Presidential Museum
Explore the life and times of President Truman in the Truman Presidential Museum. Two permanent exhibitions featuring photographs, documents, artifacts, memorabilia, film clips and a short biographic film about President Truman bring his life and times and the history of the Truman administration to life.
Truman: The Presidential Years
Start your visit to the Truman Presidential Museum in the Truman: The Presidential Years exhibition. This 10,500-square-foot core exhibition with two decision theaters, enhanced audio and video programs and new interactive elements explores the major issues and events of Harry Truman’s Presidency.
Harry S. Truman: His Life and Times
Learn about Harry S. Truman’s early years, family, political career, life in the White House and retirement years. The Harry S. Truman: His Life and Times exhibition will capture your imagination with original artifacts, photographs and manuscripts, along with engaging audiovisual programs and interactive displays.
Truman Presidential Museum Highlights
Highlights of the museum include the Introductory Film and a reproduction of the Oval Office in the Truman: The Presidential Years exhibition and Independence and the Opening of the West, a mural painted by Missouri artist Thomas Hart Benton in the museum’s lobby.
Introductory Film
The Introductory Film, shown in a theater next to the museum’s lobby, is a 15-minute video program by academy award-winning director Charles Guggenheim that will orient you with the life and times of Harry S. Truman from his years as a young boy to being sworn in as president of the United States in 1945.
Truman’s Oval Office
Step into the museum’s full-scale replica of the Oval Office designed to replicate the Oval Office as it was during Truman’s Presidency. The museum’s Oval Office replica is a presidential library and museum feature that has been copied by the Johnson, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Clinton and Bush libraries.
Independence and the Opening of the West
Independence and the Opening of the West by American Regionalist artist Thomas Hart Benton is located in the museum’s lobby and considered by Truman as “the finest work by the best.” Depicting three decades, 1817 to 1847, the mural paints a conceptual view of the founding of Independence, Missouri. As you admire the mural, delight in scenes spanning from the Plain Indians against the hunter and trapper, the French “voyageur” and permanent settler who finally dispossessed the Indians, to the Missouri landing of the late 1840s where arrived the goods and peoples which changed Independence from a quiet backwoods settlement to a gateway of destiny.
Shopping in the Museum Store
Be sure to stop by the Museum Store. Apparel, accessories, books, CDs, home décor, collectibles and kids and educational items unique to the Truman Presidential Library and Museum are available to purchase.
- The Truman Presidential Library and Museum hosts a number of temporary exhibits that support the museum’s core exhibitions.
- Do not forget your camera. You are welcome to take pictures throughout the museum; however, the use of flash is prohibited.