Independence, Missouri, Kansas City

They have a large complex located SW of downtown Independence on Walnut St. The expanse covers many acres. The prime feature is the church and its curving circular spire. The inside is not less magnificent. It is a nicely presented contemporary type inside, but large and very clean feel and look. The main hall is huge, and the spire sets off the whole theme. Other buildings on campus are used for seminars and religious retreats for this sect of believers. You will get on a list to be visited, by signing the visitor book. Maybe it will help your perspective on the viewpoint of this belief?

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Independence is a nice place in the downtown area. It has preserved a jail from 1859, a marshall's house, a courthouse, and some other structures to see that are mostly from the mid to late 1800's. It is well preserved in near south midtown, and called the Frontier Museum. Just near there is also the home of Harry Truman for visits. To the north of town is the Truman Library, that has newly featured sites, and fee is $8. Also, the Vail Mansion is near there on Hwy 24, and it is well worth a visit for about $6 to tour.

A short distance from the Truman Home is the Truman Presidential Museum & Library. Situated on a hill, it looks very impressive from a distance.

To cover a lot of ground in the least amount of time, you can watch first a documentary film on Truman's life. Why is he an important figure in American history? Then you can join a guided tour.

Some of the more interesting exhibits: a replica of the Oval Office during Truman's time; cars he used restored to mint condition; and General MacArthur's uniform. The President and his wife, Bess Truman, are both buried in the grounds of the museum.

Admission fee is $7.

West of Kansas City is Independence, President Harry S. Truman's hometown.

After his presidency, Truman lived in a relatively modest home in Independence. His home is now open to the public. Tickets for the tour may be purchased for $3 at the Truman Home Ticket Center at Truman Road and Main. Tickets are not sold at the Truman Home.

It is surprising to see how simple a former President lived after completing his term of office. The house was left in the same condition as when the Trumans resided in it.

Harry S Truman (1884-1972), 33rd President of the United States, lived here from 1919 until his death. The white Victorian style house at 219 North Delaware Street was built by the maternal grandfather of Bess Wallace Truman (1885-1982), and was known as the 'Summer White House' during the Truman administration (1945-1953). The site also includes the two adjacent homes of Mrs. Truman's brothers, and, across Delaware Street, the home of the President's favorite aunt and cousins.

Harry S Truman Library & Museum
One of ten Presidential libraries around the nation, the Truman Library features a replica of the White House Oval Office as it appeared during the Truman administration and an exhibit on Truman's election upset of 1948. The graves of Harry and Bess Truman are located in the library's courtyard.

The house in the photo was the home of Harry S. Truman, one of my favorite US Presidents. It is in Independence. Along with the house there is a ice cream shop Truman worked in as a young man and the Truman Library.
Because of his military service and political career Harry Truman was seperated from his wife. He wrote to her every single day they were apart. Some days he wrote to her more than once. His wife saved all of those hundreds of letters. They are now on display at the library and you can read some of them. The letters are an inside look at history as it happened from President Truman's perspective. They are also an enduring testimony to how much he loved his wife. I enjoyed reading some of those letters and learning about the man from his own words and thoughts.