Harry S. Truman National Historic Site

Harry S. Truman National Historic Site in Independence, Missouri, preserves the home where America’s thirty-third president lived for most of his adult life. Established as a National Historic Site in 1983, the house tells the story of a man who, despite becoming one of the most powerful leaders in the world, never lost his connection to his hometown.

Harry and Bess Truman moved into this Victorian home in 1919, shortly after their marriage. Except for the years he spent in Washington as Vice President and President, Truman called this house home until his death in 1972. During his presidency, it became known as the “Summer White House,” where he returned whenever possible to escape the pressures of Washington and enjoy the familiarity of Independence.

One of the things that struck me most during my visit was how ordinary the house seemed. Unlike the grand estates of many presidents, Truman’s home reflects the life of a middle-class American family. The rooms remain much as they were during his lifetime, with original furniture, books, family photographs, and personal belongings, giving visitors the feeling that the Trumans have simply stepped away for a short time.

It was from this modest home that Truman returned after making some of the most consequential decisions in American history. He authorized the use of the atomic bomb to end World War II, guided the nation through the early years of the Cold War, recognized the new nation of Israel, and oversaw the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe. Yet after leaving the White House, he returned to the same front porch, walked the same streets, and lived as a private citizen among his neighbors.

Some of our nation’s greatest decisions were made by a man who preferred the comfort of his hometown over the formality of public life. Standing on the porch of this beautiful Victorian home, it is easy to understand why Independence was never just the place where Harry Truman lived—it was the place where he always belonged.