The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri chronicles the life and presidency of the 33rd President of the United States, who grew up in this Kansas City suburb and returned here after leaving the White House in 1953. The library was established in 1957 — the first presidential library to be built by a sitting president while still alive — and holds more than 20 million pages of documents, 60,000 photographs, and extensive oral history collections. Following a major renovation completed in 2020, the museum galleries are among the most modern and engaging of any presidential library in the country. Permanent exhibitions walk visitors through Truman's Missouri roots, his rapid ascent from county judge to Senator to unexpected Vice President, and then his assumption of the presidency upon Franklin Roosevelt's death in April 1945. The decision to use atomic bombs against Japan is examined in a dedicated gallery with original documents, photographs, and multiple perspectives on the moral and strategic calculations involved. A replica of the Oval Office as it appeared during Truman's administration is a popular highlight, furnished with period-accurate details. Truman and his wife Bess are interred in the courtyard of the library, open to visitors. The nearby Truman Home at 219 N Delaware Street — maintained by the National Park Service — can be combined for a full day of Truman history; NPS-guided tours depart from the visitor center at 223 N Main Street ($10 adult, reservations recommended in summer). The library is 15 miles east of downtown Kansas City and serves as an anchor for Independence's broader historic district.
Good to know
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun noon–5pm. Closed federal holidays.
- Best time
- Weekday mornings; Truman's childhood home is a 1-mile walk away at 219 N Delaware St
Location
500 W US Hwy 24, Independence, MO 64050
39.0947, -94.3611 View on map
Highlights
- Explore modern galleries tracing Truman's rise from county judge to President, including the atomic bomb decision gallery
- See the replica Oval Office furnished exactly as it appeared during Truman's administration
- Visit the courtyard where President Truman and First Lady Bess Truman are interred on the library grounds
- Review original presidential documents and 60,000 photographs in the most complete Truman archive in existence
- Combine with a National Park Service tour of the Truman Home at 219 N Delaware St, one mile from the library
Tips for visiting
- Buy a combination ticket with the NPS Truman Home tour at 219 N Delaware St to cover both major Truman sites in a single day
- NPS home tours sell out on summer weekends — reserve in advance at recreation.gov or call the NPS visitor center
- The courtyard burial site is accessible even before the museum opens, as it is within the gated but publicly accessible grounds
- Weekday mornings are consistently quiet; school group visits peak on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons in spring
- The 2020 renovation made this one of the best-presented presidential libraries in the US — the atomic bomb gallery alone is worth the admission
- Free parking is available in the on-site lot directly off US-24
When to visit
Weekday mornings year-round offer the quietest visit. Spring and fall provide pleasant weather for walking between the library and the historic downtown Independence district. Summer is the most popular season — book NPS home tours in advance if visiting June through August.
Accessibility
The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library is fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators to all gallery levels and accessible restrooms throughout. The courtyard burial site is reached via a paved accessible path. Free accessible parking is available in the on-site lot. The Truman Home NPS site has limited interior accessibility due to the historic nature of the building; contact the NPS visitor center at (816) 254-9929 for details.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Truman Library take?
Allow 2–3 hours for the museum galleries and courtyard. Combining the library with an NPS tour of the Truman Home adds 60–90 minutes, making a half-day a reasonable total plan for both sites.
Is the Truman Library appropriate for children?
The library is best suited for visitors ages 10 and older. The atomic bomb gallery contains photographs and descriptions of wartime destruction that parents may want to preview before bringing young children. The replica Oval Office and personal artifacts engage older children well.
Can visitors see where Truman is buried?
Yes. Harry S. Truman and Bess Truman are interred in the library's courtyard, which is accessible to visitors during library hours. The gravesite is a dignified, simply marked stone plaza.