Truman

Oct 31 52515 9:45

Harry S. Truman National Historic Site. This site is the home of Truman, his wife Bess and their daughter Margaret before, during and after his presidency.

"I tried never to forget where I was going back to... After nearly eight years in the White House and ten years in the Senate, I found myself right back where I am Independence, Missouri."

Truman was born in 1884 in Lamar, MO. As a child he dreamed of becoming a concert pianist and of going to college. Truman's mother, Martha had instilled in Harry a love of music and books. He practiced the piano each morning before school and by age 14 had read all the books in the Independence Public Library.

Harry's plans for college were dashed when his father lost the family savings in risky investments and Harry had to begin working full time at age 17.

Over the next few years he worked as a bank clerk, attended concerts and served in Missouri National Guard. At 22 he was called back to his parents swarm to help.

Bess Truman had been born in the home, which had been owned by her grandparents George Potterrfield Gates. He had purchased the property with a small one-room house in 1867 and then built a two-story addition. By 1886 a large Queen Anne addition had been added to the front.

In 1903 Bess and her mother came to live in the house with her grandparents after her father's death. Harry's aunt and uncle lived across the street.

In 1903 Truman now lived in Independence and at six met five-year old Bess at Sunday school and in his own words had "been crazy about you ever since we went to Sunday school together."

In 1910 Harry and Bess met again. While visiting his aunt and uncle Harry offered to return a cake plate to the Wallace's and Bess answered the door. Harry began to court her by mail and in 1911 he proposed marriage. She turned him down.

In 1917 Harry was serving in France, as a Captain in the U.S. Army during WWI. Finally in 1919 his persistence paid off and on June 28, 1919 they were married.

They moved into the house on Delaware Street where Bess had lived most of her life.

Truman opened a clothing store in Kansas City, and his business thrived until a postwar depression closed the shop. In 1901 Truman got his first taste of politics in 1901 when his father took him to the Democratic Convention in Kansas City. Without a job Truman turned to politics and ran for eastern district judge. He won and loved the job.

He eventually for the U.S. senate seat and won that also. The next 18 years the family lived in Washington D.C. only coming home on special occasion on in the summer. Truman permanently returned to Independence after serving 2 terms as president.

Truman decided not to run for a third term, stating, "I have had all of Washington that I want." "I prefer my life in Missouri." Back in Independence Truman enjoyed his walks and being with his family and friends once more.

The Truman's lived simple lives in Independence and made arrangement for the house to belong to the American people after both of them were dead.

Oct 31, 2007

Show all 4 photos