Truman Presidential Library

On Tuesday we took a drive to Independence, Missouri to visit the Truman Presidential Library.  We had been to it back in 1990 but the kids were young, not interested, and, as a result, Fran did not get to see much of it.  Our one memory of the first visit was one of our daughters walking on the gravestone of President Truman (now it has flowers and a chain around it)!

It is a very nice library, especially considering it has been around for 40 years.

The famous sign on his desk in the White House

The museum has a replica of the Oval House as it was during his presidency

Gravesite for Harry and Bess Truman. 

His working office at the library

Their home in Independence

I did not realize that following his presidency, Truman did not receive a pension as a former President, nor Secret Service protection.  Because of his limited financial resources the Former President’s Act was passed in 1958 granting a pension and Secret Service protection to former President’s. 

Following our visit to the library we took a drive to Bates City, Missouri (about 15 miles east) to have lunch at Bates City BBQ.  I had been here back in the 90’s when my nephew suggested it on a road trip we were doing to Wichita.  My nephew had grown up in nearby Blue Springs, Missouri and remembered the good BBQ at this restaurant.  A little hole in the wall restaurant about a mile off Interstate 70 in a very small town.  The restaurant has a smoky haze to it from the meat being cooked.  It was a great lunch. Sorry no website link.