We tend to take a break from exploring the local NPS sites during football season and winter. Things are starting to thaw out, so we’re crossing off the rest of our sites in this area. Since we’re only in Kansas for a year, we headed over to Independence, Missouri, on a mission to explore the Harry S Truman National Historic Site.
Address and Location
You’ll find the Visitor’s Center at 223 N Main Street in Independence. The Truman Home and the Noland Home sit a few blocks away at 219 N Delaware and 216 N Delaware. Parking is limited there. If the weather is nice, you can leave your car in downtown Independence and walk. The Truman Farm is about ten miles away in 12301 Blue Ridge Boulevard in Grandview, Missouri.
Cost
Touring the Harry S Truman National Historic Site is free.
What to do
Start at the Visitor’s Center to reserve your tour. Tour tickets are not available at the Truman Home. You can watch the provided movie about Harry and Bess Truman. If your tour starts right after, head over to the Truman Home. A Ranger will lead you on a tour through the home. It isn’t a really formal tour; it was more of a discussion about the lives and times of Harry and Bess. The house has been preserved as it was when Bess died in the 1970s. Honestly, it reminded me a lot of my grandparents’ houses. Photos aren’t allowed in the house. You’ll also have the chance to explore the Noland Home across the street where Harry’s aunt and uncle lived.
If you have some time before your tour, you can explore more of downtown Independence. You can see the courthouse where Harry worked or the church where the Trumans married. The farm where Harry spent his childhood is also open seasonally for self-guided tours. It’s a short drive away from Independence in Grandview. And be sure to make time for a stop at the Truman Presidential Library. It’s about 5 minutes away from the Truman Home and is slated to reopen in the summer of 2020.
Missouri National Park Service sites: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield | Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site | Gateway Arch National Park |
The building is so beautiful with the snow. This is really interesting! I love presidential history and would for sure visit this! Thanks for the awesome run down!
Interesting! We’ll have to see if we make it there while we’re here! We did the Eisenhower museum down in Abilene, which I loved!