Last updated: October 12, 2022
Place
Truman Chicken Coop
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
12301 Blue Ridge Ext, Grandview, Missouri
Significance:
Farm home of the 33rd President of the United States
Designation:
National Historic Site
Amenities
3 listed
Cellular Signal, Parking - Auto, Toilet - Vault/Composting
The chicken coop was built in the early 1900’s to house the Young-Truman’s chickens.
The topic of chickens came up quite frequently in the early letters Harry Truman wrote to Bess. At the time, Bess was raising chickens in her backyard of 219 N Delaware. Her chickens were struggling with lice and Harry Truman offered his mother's method to remove the lice.
“Mamma gave me her prescription for dipping chickens and it's a dinger I tell you. She says it won't hurt the chickens and if it don't it sure ought to get the other fellows. She takes twist tobacco and steeps it in hot water as if you were making tea. Put in cold water enough to cover the hen and make it the right temperature. Then she puts in a tablespoonful of melted grease. She says she puts her hand over the Chicken's bill and eyes and then souses him good. Young and old alike can go through this process without harm. She says she takes four twists of tobacco to one bucket of water. Now if you can get a clear idea of that recipe it is more than I can after reading it. But it will make chickens healthy, although I wouldn't fancy the job of dipping them. Be sure and pick a warm day to do it.”
The topic of chickens came up quite frequently in the early letters Harry Truman wrote to Bess. At the time, Bess was raising chickens in her backyard of 219 N Delaware. Her chickens were struggling with lice and Harry Truman offered his mother's method to remove the lice.
“Mamma gave me her prescription for dipping chickens and it's a dinger I tell you. She says it won't hurt the chickens and if it don't it sure ought to get the other fellows. She takes twist tobacco and steeps it in hot water as if you were making tea. Put in cold water enough to cover the hen and make it the right temperature. Then she puts in a tablespoonful of melted grease. She says she puts her hand over the Chicken's bill and eyes and then souses him good. Young and old alike can go through this process without harm. She says she takes four twists of tobacco to one bucket of water. Now if you can get a clear idea of that recipe it is more than I can after reading it. But it will make chickens healthy, although I wouldn't fancy the job of dipping them. Be sure and pick a warm day to do it.”