Truman Home - Independence MO - Truman President Home

One of the more interesting elements of the Truman Home in Independence is that while it is preserved as the home of Harry S Truman, it was not, initially, his house at all. In fact, though he lived there for much of his life, he did not own the home until quite late in life. In the modern age where more than 60% of Americans own their own homes, Mr. Truman did not have the money to buy a house until long after he had left office.

The Truman home is also called the Wallace House, because it came into the family from his wife's (nee Wallace) side of the family. Truman and his wife lived in the house after they were married, with his mother -in-law. After he left office, the Wallace house served as the post-presidential office until the Truman Library was finished.

The multi-story Victorian home was special to the Trumans, however, as it was where their only daughter was born in 1924. Even after his wife's mother passed away and they could have gotten rid of the house, they kept it and lived in it. Guided tours now show how they lived and there are photographic exhibits showing how the house was changed and modified over the years.

The Wallace House forms part of the larger Harry S Truman National Historic site, which includes some neighboring homes and the farmhouse where Truman was a boy. The large site is administered by the National Park Service, and tours are available everyday except Monday when the house is open but no guides are on staff. The Truman Home is also closed on major holidays. Large group tours and rates can be arranged by calling ahead and making the appropriate arrangements.

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