The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum

The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, opened in 1957 in Independence, Missouri, is the presidential library and museum dedicated to Harry S. Truman’s presidency (1945–1953). It is operated by the National Archives and Records Administration and serves as the burial site for Truman and his wife Bess.

Summary

The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library at 500 W. U.S. Highway 24 in Independence, Missouri. The Library:

• Opened July 6, 1957
• Is located in Independence, MO, approximately 12 miles east of downtown Kansas City
• Is operated by the National Archives and Records Administration
• Preserves Truman presidential papers and Truman-era artifacts
• Serves as the burial site for Harry S. Truman and Bess Truman
• Constitutes a primary commemorative anchor of Truman’s presidential legacy in the KC area

Background

Truman presidential legacy

Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) served as the 33rd President of the United States from April 12, 1945 (upon FDR’s death) through January 20, 1953. Key decisions and events of his presidency included:

• The August 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
• The 1947 Truman Doctrine to contain Soviet expansion
• The 1948 Marshall Plan for European reconstruction
• The 1948–1949 Berlin Airlift
• The 1949 founding of NATO
• The 1950–1953 Korean War
• Executive Order 9981 (1948) desegregating the U.S. armed forces

The scale of Truman’s presidency justified the establishment of a dedicated presidential library.

1957 Library opening

The July 6, 1957 opening was among the early implementations of the federal Presidential Libraries Act of 1955. It preserved Truman’s presidential papers, established Independence as a major Truman commemorative site, and supported ongoing educational and research programming.

1972 death and burial

Truman died on December 26, 1972, at age 88. He is buried on the Library grounds alongside his wife Bess Wallace Truman (who died in 1982). The burial site adds a personal commemorative dimension to the institution.

Programming

The Library maintains a permanent exhibition on the Truman presidency featuring artifacts, papers, photographs, and interpretive displays covering major events and decisions.

It provides archival research access to Truman’s presidential papers and administration records for scholars and the public.

Educational programming includes school visits, public events, lectures, and community outreach.

Long-term significance

The Truman Library is the primary Truman commemorative anchor in the greater KC area. It preserves his presidential legacy through ongoing exhibitions, research access, and public programming. It stands as an early example of the American presidential library tradition and serves as a civic-cultural landmark in Independence alongside the Truman National Historic Site.

Sites associated with the Library

• Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum at 500 W. U.S. Highway 24 — primary site
• Truman National Historic Site (Truman Home) — paired Truman commemorative site in Independence
• Independence, MO — broader civic context

Sources