Harry S Truman National Historic Site in Independence, Missouri preserves and protects the home of Harry and his wife Bess Truman and the family farm.
Harry S Truman National Historic Site
Harry S Truman was the 33rd president of the United States. He was thrust into power when President Franklin D Roosevelt passed away in 1945.
Mr. Truman wanted to be remembered as the People's President.
When visiting the house in Independence, Missouri you can see how modest it is. He lived here with his wife Bess from 1919 until he passed away in 1972.
Bess Truman passed away in 1982.
This house served as the summer White House during the 1945-1953 Truman Administration.
Today the house is filled with personal possessions that provide a look at the Truman's daily life.
Harry S Truman National Historic Site includes the Truman Home in Independence, Missouri, and the Truman Farm Home in Grandview, Missouri.
We had a great visit to the park and were really impressed with the displays in the Noland House and also the grounds tour we went on with a ranger.
The ranger led us around the house and explained the significance of the fence that was put in by the Secret Service.
We didn't realize that the Truman's lived in this house for 12 years with no security. They had people going through their mail and sitting on the sidewalk trying to see them.
After President Kennedy was assassinated they were given Secret Service security.
The garage still has President Truman's 1972 Chrysler Newport Royale with 14,000 miles on it.
The license place is 5745 for May 7, 1945 the day the German troops surrendered to allied forces.
We really enjoyed learning more about the life of the 33rd President of the United States and a bit about his political career.
Visitor Center
The park visitor center is located in the historic 1928 Independence Fire Station, which is in the Harry S Truman Historic District National Historic Landmark and one block north of the historic Independence Town Square.
Tickets for guided tours must be picked up at the visitor center.
Make sure to check the park website to see if this visitor center is open. During our visit the park was using the Noland House as a visitor center.
Truman Home Guided Tours
The only way to see the inside of the Truman Home is on a guided tour.
These tours are limited to 8 people tours due to the size of the rooms in the Truman Home.
Photographs are not allowed in the Truman Home in order to protect and preserve the artifacts in the home.
Tours are first-come, first served. You can call (816)254-9929 to check the status of tickets.
Tours last for 30 minutes.
Noland House
Right across the street from the Truman House is the Noland Home.
Here you can find park passport stamps, junior ranger programs, and great interpretive information about the Truman's.
Make sure to watch the movie in the front living room. It truly gives you a look into the Truman Family.
Junior Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger Program can be picked up from the Visitor Center or from the Noland House depending on what is open during your visit.
The junior ranger program is really good and lets you learn more about what life was like as President for Harry Truman.
Truman Farm
Truman's farm is located in Grandview, Missouri 19 miles southwest of Independence. The Farm House sits on 10-acres of what was once a 600-acre farm.
President Truman worked at the farm when he was a young man. The farm belonged to his maternal grandmother.
Today visitors can take a self-guided tour of the grounds to see the house, garage, chicken coop, reconstructed smokehouse, and privy.
National Park Passport Stamps
Harry S Truman NHS, Grandview MO
Harry S Truman NHS, Independence MO
Oregon National Historic Trail
Sante Fe National Historic Trail
California National Historic Trail
Junior Ranger Stamp
We like to use these circle stickers for park stamps so we don't have to bring our passport book with us on every trip.
The National Park Passport Book program is a great way to document all of the parks you have visitied.
You can get Passport Stickers and Annual Stamp Sets to help enhance your Passport Book.
Things to know when planning a visit
Park Address - 219 North Delaware Street (Truman Home)
Independence, MO 64050
The Visitor Center is located at the intersection of Truman Road and Main Street, in Historic Fire Station No.1.
The Truman Home is five blocks to the west of the visitor center.
How to get to the park
From the north or south, take I-435 to Truman Road (State Hwy 12), exit 60. 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 (12). Travel north on Noland Road four miles to Truman Road. Turn west on Truman Road and travel two blocks.
Closest Airport - Kansas City
Entrance Fee - $0.00, There is no fee to visit this park
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Camping - There is no camping available at the park.
Lodging - There is no lodging available at the park.
Pets - Pets are not allowed on tours or within the houses.
National Park Service Website - https://www.nps.gov/hstr/index.htm
National Parks near Harry S Truman NHS
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Fort Scott National Historic Site
Homestead National Historical Park
Wilson Creek National Battlefield
Check out all of the Missouri National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Arkansas, National Parks in Oklahoma, National Parks in Kansas, National Parks in Nebraska, National Parks in Iowa, National Park in Illinois, and National Park in Tennessee
For an entire list of US National Parks head over to our list of US National Parks in Alphabetical Order. We also have a printable checklist of all 423 National Park properties in the United States available.
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