Celebrate your independence in Independence, Mo. |
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| Written by Chuck Kurtz | |||
| Tuesday, 30 June 2009 23:00 | |||
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The home of Harry S. Truman, 33rd president of the United States, is just minutes away from Johnson County. Take the east loop of Interstate 435 north past Interstate 70 and go east at exit 60 onto Truman Road. Follow that into the heart of old Independence, where the historic square is rich with history. This is where the Santa Fe, Oregon and California trails began and Truman started his political career as a county judge in 1933. One of the main attractions in Independence is the Truman Presidential Library and Museum, 500 W. 24 Highway. Since its dedication in 1957, nearly 8 million people have visited. There is something for people of all ages to enjoy, from theaters to a replica of Truman's Oval Office to a museum store and dozens of interactive and hands-on exhibits.
The library and museum give visitors the opportunity to learn all about Truman's life and political career. He ran for vice president with President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, taking the vice presidential oath on Jan. 20, 1945. On April 12, 1945, after the sudden death of Roosevelt, Truman was sworn in as the nation's 33rd president. Perhaps his most controversial decision was ordering the dropping of two atomic bombs on Japan on Aug. 6 and 9 in lieu of an Allied invasion that would have cost countless of American lives. Japan surrendered on Aug. 14. Truman left Washington in 1953 and retired to Independence where, for nearly two decades, Truman spent his days reading, writing, lecturing and taking long, brisk walks throughout the neighborhood.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays, May through September. For information, go to www.trumanlibrary.org or call (816) 268-8200. Other Truman stops After the library and museum, check out Truman's house, where he and Bess, along with their only child, Margaret, lived. Located at 219 N. Delaware, the Trumans lived there from 1919 to 1972. Tours are 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (eight people every 15 minutes). There are no tours on Monday from Labor Day to Memorial Day. Get tickets at the Visitor's Center, 223 N. Main; (816) 254-9929. If you want to visit the house, make arrangements now because it will be closed Aug. 3 for major renovations and will not reopen until next spring. At 112 W. Lexington is the Truman office and courtroom where Truman began his political career as a county judge. Originally built in 1837, Truman oversaw a major expansion in 1933. Tours are available and include a 25- minute show tracing Truman's life before his presidency. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Call (816) 252-7454. The final stop of Truman's 1948 Whistlestop presidential campaign was the Truman Depot, 111 W. Pacific Ave. This is also where more than 8,500 people welcomed him home in January 1953 after he left the White House. Today, it is an Amtrak stop and home to the Jackson County Genealogical Society Research Library. Shopping, dining The historic Independence Square is filled with specialty shops, antique stores and several restaurants providing fine or casual dining, which are a welcome relief after doing many of the Truman tours. Check out www.the Places to eat are Ophella's, Dave's Bakery & Deli, Café Verona,, Court House Exchange, Gregory G's BBQ, The Rhineland, Square Pizza, and Clinton's Soda Fountain. Clinton's is where Truman held his first job, opening the story every morning at 6:30, mopping the floor, taking out the trash, polishing jugs and bottles and working at the fountain and as a clerk - all for $3 a week. Stepping through the door at Clinton's is stepping back in time and it is a treat to sit at the counter in front of the old soda fountain. Early history Independence is not all about Truman. If you have time, take in the jail and Marshal's Home Museum, 217 N. Main, (816) 461-1897; The National Frontier Trails Museum, 318 W. Pacific, (816) 325-7575 or www. Go to www.visit
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Why not celebrate your independence in Independence?
One of the most popular features is the interactive Decision Theater, which allows visitors to test their presidential mettle by making their own decisions on issues that faced Truman.
He died on Dec. 26, 1972. His wife, Bess, who never wanted or sought the public life of a politician's wife, died Oct. 18, 1982. They are buried side-by-side in the Truman Library courtyard.
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