When Franklin D Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, Harry S Truman was sworn in as President of the United States. He had served as Vice President for only 82 days before being thrust into his new role. Truman was re-elected in 1948. He presided over the end of World War II, the Marshall Plan, the Berlin Airlift, and the racial integration of the armed forces. With a sign on his desk, he popularized the phrase "The Buck Stops Here" in reference to the fact that the president gets to make all the hard decisions and has to live with the consequences. Upon leaving the presidency, the Trumans retired to their home at 219 North Delaware Street in Independence, Missouri.
When Bess Truman died in 1982, she willed her beloved home to the people of the United States. The National Park Service has been tasked with preserving and interpreting the house and grounds. In addition to the Truman home, the park service also owns two houses around the corner at 601 and 605 West Truman Road. These houses were built in 1915-16 for Bess's younger brothers Frank and George Wallace and their families. In addition, the park service now owns the Noland house across the street from the Truman house at 216 North Delaware Street. Harry Truman’s favorite cousins, Nellie and Ethel Noland lived there.
In keeping with the Truman's desire not to be a nuisance to their residential neighbors, the Visitor Center is located five blocks east of the Truman home in the commercial district of Independence at 223 North Main Street. The building housing the visitor center has its own storied past as a fire hall.
The visitor center houses an information desk, exhibits, bookstore, restrooms, and a theater. An excellent film, At Home with Harry and Bess, is shown every half hour. Tickets for a guided tour of the Truman home are sold at the visitor center on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum tour size is eight people. Free short-term parking is available in a lot across the street from the visitor center.
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| Exhibits and brochures |
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| Bookstore |
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| More of the bookstore |
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| Book kiosk and information desk |
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| Theater |
Entrance to the historic site is free. This includes the visitor center and the ground floor exhibits at the Noland Home. A guided tour is the only way to view the Truman Home. The price is $5 per person with children 15 and under admitted for free. An America the Beautiful (annual, military, volunteer, senior, access) or 4th grade pass allows the fee to be waived.
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