Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Truman Presidential Library

Of course, we can’t pass through Independence, Missouri without stopping to visit the Truman Library. Like the Kennedy Library, which we visited while in Boston in early June, and like all of the other presidential libraries, this facility seems less like a library and more like a museum. In fact, it is a repository of presidential papers, as well as many other artifacts. Franklin Roosevelt was the first president to turn his papers and other materials over to the public, but it was Harry Truman who made the preservation of these items a matter of public policy. The library provided a fascinating lesson in history – not only of the president and his life and work, but also of the context of his time.

We may just make a quest of visiting as many presidential libraries as we can on this road trip (and future trips). It’s a great way to make history come alive!

No comments:

Post a Comment