U.S. Dept. of Interior National Park Service Museum Collections
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Masonic Order Badge -- Click to Enlarge
Harry Truman inherited his family's honesty, fairness, and work ethic. His parents instilled in him a life-long love of music and learning. He attended school in Independence together with Bess. Family financial problems prevented him from attending college.
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Masonic Order Badge, HSTR 25096
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Masonic Cap -- Click to Enlarge
Music Collection -- Click to Enlarge
 Free Mason Pin - Click to Enlarge
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Historical Photo - Click to Enlarge
Historical Photo - Click to Enlarge
Truman worked in Kansas City for several years. He returned to the family farm in Grandview at the request of his father, farming the land from 1906 through 1917. During this period, he became an active Mason and developed an ease for interacting with people. Farming taught him problem solving and gave him self-confidence. He retained these characteristics in spite of several unsuccessful business enterprises that resulted in large debt. During his presidency, his mother said "It was on the farm that Harry got his common sense, he didn't get it in town."
Harry S Truman: American Visionary - Footer graphic
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