Like the other presidential museums we have visited, this one has a replica of the oval office the way it looked when Truman was sitting behind the desk.
These museums are great refreshers of American history. Harry Truman was Roosevelt's Vice President when FDR ran for president his fourth time. When Roosevelt died early in his fourth term, Truman became commander in chief during the tumultuous time of World War II. He was the one to make the decision to drop the bombs on Japan. But he took full responsibility for that decision with his slogan, "The Buck Stops Here."
Even though most of the museum centers on presidential politics, Denisa especially enjoys the more personal sections. She likes learning about presidential childhoods and how these men found their first ladies. In the mural of pictures taken at different times in his life, Harry wore his signature eye glasses. Does the young man on the left-hand side of the mural remind you of anyone?
Mark noted that young Harry Truman looks a lot like young Harry Potter with those iconic glasses.
The entrance of this famous Missouri presidential museum is painted by a famous Missouri artist. We recognized this mural as being the work of Thomas Hart Benton. We had just seen his work at the state capitol, and we're glad to see that all the mules have the appropriate tails in this picture. (If that doesn't make sense, you must have missed that blog.)
Harry and Bess Truman lived in Independence before and after their time in Washington DC. So it is appropriate that their final resting places are here at the Truman Presidential Museum.
Another fun historical activity in Independence is the Truman walking trail. He was famous for his walks around town, and his silhouette is on signs throughout the historical district. We are ready for a stroll on this beautiful weather day to walk where Harry once walked.
Following a map, we found the forty different brass plates embedded in the sidewalk that explain a little piece of Independence's history.
For example, the Trinity Episcopal Church is where the Trumans were married, and the site of their daughter's wedding, and Bess's funeral. That definitely deserves a brass plaque in the sidewalk and a picture on the blog.
Sometimes the bronze plaque just pointed out a Truman friend's house. But a stroll through Independence at this time of the year also points out a friend's beautiful tree.
Mark picked these leaves that were in the process of turning from their summer green to their autumn red. That's another beautiful example of God's wonders that we are blessed to wander through.
Many of those lovely leaves are falling off the trees, and onto our sidewalks. That's making our search for the next bronze plaque more difficult. But we are thorough tourists, and we found every one!
For example, we found the plaque pointing out the county courthouse where Mr. Truman once worked. That memorial on the lawn also points out the beginning point of the Oregon Trail that many settlers traveled on their journey to the west. We also found that Independence, Missouri, is the start of the Santa Fe and California Trails as well. This is quite the historical city!
Independence was a thriving retail center, as people setting out on one of those trails needed to stock up on supplies for the long trip. We learned this information from the driver of the local wagon. We met him at church on Sunday morning, finding out he had been hosting the wagon rides around town for many years. This is one of his three teams that pulls the wagon. He told us that he prefers mules over horses because they have a better work ethic. His current tour group is getting more history lessons as they stopped outside the Truman's house.
As if there wasn't enough interesting things going on in Independence, we noticed one morning that a marching band in full uniform is hanging out across from our campground. Then we realized a parade is coming down the street!
The parade has a halloween theme, with lots of candy. We have stumbled into another parade!
The band we heard practicing earlier is coming down this narrow city street. If Denisa had her old saxophone, she was close enough that she could have joined the band.
In addition to the usual candy at the parade, we also got this interesting bag of goodies from the local dentist. He includes chewy candy, but also a toothbrush and a coupon for braces or a first check-up. It gets the award for our favorite parade hand-out for today.
We're finding that the little city of Independence is interesting from a historical view point, and entertaining from a parade view point, but it is also interesting from a religious viewpoint. Among those lovely trees decked out in their finest fall splendor, we can see this curious spire top that reminds us of a twisted ice cream cone every time we drive towards home.
This is the world headquarters of the Community of Christ Church, who branched off from the Church of Latter Day Saints. Besides a swirly-top church, they also have a wide open grassy field that these churches believe will be the new Zion where Christ will return right here in Independence, Missouri.
Who knew that Independence held such an important place in the eyes of so many? But right now for us, it is our new home town, and an interesting place to live between visits into Kansas City for more grandbaby time.
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