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Truman Home Cultural Landscape

Harry S. Truman, Bess Truman, and Margaret Truman at in winter coats and hats on the porch of a house
President Harry S Truman, Bess Truman, and Margaret Truman on the front steps of their home at 219 N. Delaware sometime between December 23-28, 1949.

Vernon Galloway (Harry S Truman Library & Museum)

Introduction

Harry S. Truman was considered an unlikely candidate for the presidency by many. Born in Lamar, Missouri in 1884, he held a variety of menial jobs before working as a farmer on his family farm. He was relatively uninvolved in politics until his later life when elected as Jackson County district judge in 1922. Truman went on to serve as a U.S. senator (1934-1945) before his nomination for the vice presidency.
Leafless shrubs grow at the foundation of a Victorian house, framed by tall leafeless trees
The Truman Home in Independence offers a glimpse at the personal life of the 33rd President of the United States.

NPS

Within 82 days of serving as vice president for President Franklin Roosevelt’s fourth term, Harry S Truman unexpectedly assumed the responsibilities of the Chief Executive upon the President’s passing. On April 12, 1945 Harry S Truman became the nation’s 33rd president. During his administration, he made consequential decisions that influenced the outcome of World War II and assisted in the rebuilding of postwar Europe. Later, through the Truman Doctrine, he established a policy of containment to impede global communist forces. He also extended New Deal social programs and worked to advance civil rights.

The National Park Service preserves the longtime home of President Harry Truman and his wife, Bess Truman in Independence, Missouri. President Truman valued his community and privacy throughout his life and returned home after his presidency. The period of significance dates from 1919 to 1971 when Truman moved into the home to the designation of Harry S Truman National Historic Landmark on November 11, 1971. The Truman Home is listed on the National Register and also contained within a larger Independence Unit, part of a National Historic Landmark District.

Landscape Description

Located on 219 North Delaware Street in Independence, Missouri the Truman Home occupies approximately 1.4 acres. It retains its historic domestic appearance as a two- and one-half story, Queen Anne Victorian-style home with clapboard siding. An L-shaped porch wraps around the north and west side and is met by a straight concrete sidewalk, leading to the front door from the residential street.

A Carriage house behind the home is one and one-half story and timber framed. During his residence, President Truman utilized the structure as a garage.
Landscape features surrounding a Victorian house with a wrap around porch include foundation shrubs, trees in the lawn, and a perimeter fence.
The home of President Harry S Truman at 219 N. Delaware, Independence Missouri on May 2, 1950.

L.D. Jones (Harry S Truman Library & Museum)

Much of the surrounding vegetation remains similar to how it appeared during the period of significance. Roses remain in the east yard, as well as Sugar maple trees around the property. Spirea, Mock Orange, and Rose of Sharon are also prevalent on the property.

The Independence unit includes the Truman home and nearby Noland, Frank and George Wallace homes. The Nolands were Harry Truman’s cousins and the Wallaces his brothers-in-law. The Independence unit is contained within the National Historic Landmark District which extends further into several blocks of downtown Independence.

Historic Use

Harry Truman, born to John and Martha on May 8, 1884, moved to Independence, Missouri in 1890. After graduating high school in 1901, Truman aspired to attend college, however, family financial problems hindered his goals. Instead, Truman held a variety of jobs, such as a bank and mailroom clerk, until returning home to work on the family farm. In 1905, Truman joined the National Guard while continuing to work. He also courted Elizabeth Virginia ("Bess") Wallace – a childhood classmate -- and stayed with the Nolands frequently during the courtship. He worked on the family farm for nearly a decade, continuing after his father passed away in 1914.
In 1917, Truman rejoined the National Guard and was deployed in the 129th Field Artillery to serve in France. During the war, Truman was promoted to Captain. Upon his return, he married Bess Wallace on June 28, 1919 and moved into the home at 219 North Delaware Street. Bess’ grandparents originally owned the home and the oldest portion predated the Civil War (circa 1850).

Truman owned a men’s clothing store from 1919 to 1922 that eventually went bankrupt before serving as a Jackson County Court judge. In 1934, Truman was elected to the Senate and the family lived between Independence, Missouri and Washington D.C. In 1944, President D. Roosevelt nominated Truman as Vice President. Truman assumed the presidency after Roosevelt’s unexpected death on April 12, 1945.
A crowd of people on the sidewalk and yard in front of a Victorian house.
Crowds in front of the Independence, Missouri home of former president Harry S Truman, ca. 1948 (pre-fence installation in 1949).

Harry S Truman Library & Museum

A view towards a street from a porch that wraps around the side of a house.
Detail of the porch around the Harry S Truman Home, looking toward Truman Road.

Jack E. Boucher / NPS, Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS MO-1175)

During his time as president, Truman returned periodically to their home in Independence which earned it the nickname “the Summer White House.” Bess and their daughter, Margaret, would return during summers and holidays. The family would frequently stay with the Wallace families to avoid opening their home for short visits.

Truman won reelection in 1948. After completing his term in office, President Harry Truman and Bess returned to Independence in 1953. He continued to reside at 219 North Delaware Street house until his death on December 26, 1972. Bess maintained the home until her passing in 1982. The home was designated as a National Historic Site in 1983.

The quick acquisition of the home and numerous remaining artifacts informed the preservation effort to impart the high level of historic integrity, and ability to convey its association to President Harry Truman’s life. The Truman Home now provides visitors a unique opportunity to better understand the thirty-third President, a man who deeply valued his hometown and relationships. He lived in the home from his marriage to Bess in 1919 into his retirement.

Today, visitors can view the grounds and attend guided tours of the home’s interior. The nearby Noland Home provides additional educational opportunities.

Quick Facts

  • Cultural Landscape Type: Historic Site
  • National Register Significance Level: National
  • National Register Significance Criteria: B
  • Period of Significance: 1945-1953

Tags

Harry S Truman National Historic Site

Last updated: December 14, 2020