The Truman Little White House

little white house

Harry S Truman

Little White House

Florida's Only Presidential Museum

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VIP White Glove Tour

Get the presidential treatment with our exclusive VIP White Glove Tour. This unique experience will give you first-class access and amenities, including a rare glimpse behind the scenes and a ride in President Truman’s 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Limousine.

The little White House sign
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Museum Tours

Take a guided tour through the former home turned museum of President Harry S. Truman. Explore where the man of his time lived, worked, played, and held important government meetings in this delightful journey through American history.

Couple getting married at truman little white house
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Weddings & Private Events

We are still taking wedding & private event inquiries! Please call us at 305-671-9199 or fill out our form.

Ask us about getting a virtual tour of our space!

Harry S. Truman
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Memberships & Donations

We are still taking memberships & donations at this time. You can submit a one-time gift or recurring gifts. If you donate $100 or more, you become a member with benefits!

Upcoming Events

Harry S. Truman

Presidential Timeline

Vice President Harry S. Truman walking with President FDR
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1944 - Nominated To Run For Vice President

In 1944, the Democratic party leaders considered Vice President Henry Wallace too unpredictable to serve another term under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose health had visibly declined during the Second World War. The party then turned their attention to the U.S. Senator, Harry S. Truman from Missouri, who was nominated to be President Roosevelt’s running-mate for an unprecedented fourth term re-election.

Post World War 2 Harry Truman seated at desk signing GI bill
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1944 - The GI Bill

In 1944, Harry S. Truman helped introduce the GI Bill, widely regarded as one of the most effective social policy programs in U.S. history. The GI Bill gave millions of soldiers returning from World War II the opportunity to enroll in college or job-training programs. It also helped grant low-interest loans towards the purchase of new homes.

Our 33rd President being sworn in, following Roosevelt's death
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1945 - Truman Becomes 33rd President

The first inauguration of Harry S. Truman as the 33rd President of the United States was held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 12, 1945, in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., following the unexpected death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt earlier that day. Harry S. Truman had only served as Vice President for less than three months prior.

Harry Truman signs papers desk
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1945 - The Atomic Bomb

Truman’s presidency is most often defined by his decision to drop the atomic bomb to end World War II that ultimately saved both Allied and Japanese lives.

Truman receiving medal of honor on Victory in Europe Day
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1945 - VE Day

On May 8, 1945, Harry S. Truman announced to the American public that Germany had surrendered, signaling the beginning of the end of World War II and is known as VE Day. Ironically, it was also the President’s 61st birthday. It would take until August 14 before Japan officially surrendered ending World War II.

Truman in White House rose garden with First Lieutenant post World War 2 during Baby Boom
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1946 - 1964 The Postwar Baby Boom

The postwar “Baby Boom” (1946 to 1964) was the largest generation in history. After years of depression and war, Americans, quite simply, were having more children. In 1940, American families had, on average, 2.6 children. By 1950, that number had jumped to 3.2. The baby boom was only one of the massive changes underway in the structure of the American family during the years immediately following World War II.

President Truman and his secretary at the President's desk in the Oval Office signing the National Security Act
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1947 - National Security Act

On July 26, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signs the National Security Act, which becomes one of the most important pieces of Cold War legislation. This led to a reorganized structure of the U.S. armed forces following World War II. It created the office of Secretary of Defense, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Security Council (NSC), as well as separate departments for each branch of the armed forces.

President Truman attend Army Day parade for Taft-Hartley Anti Labor Legislation
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1947 - Taft-Hartley Anti-Labor Legislation

The Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947, better known as the Taft–Hartley Act, is a United States federal law that restricts the activities and power of labor unions. It was enacted by the 80th United States Congress over the veto of President Harry S. Truman, becoming law on June 23, 1947.

President Truman giving the Truman Doctrine speech
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1947 - 'Containment' - A New Foreign Policy

The Truman Doctrine was announced to Congress by President Harry S. Truman on March 12, 1947, and further developed on July 4, 1948. This order pledged to contain the communist uprisings in Greece and Turkey by establishing that the United States would provide political, military and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat from Soviet communism.

Truman at national airport in DC post World War 2 for Marshall Plan
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1947/1948 - The Marshall Plan

In 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed the Economic Assistance Act, which authorized the creation of a program that would help the nations of Europe recover and rebuild after World War II. Most commonly known as the Marshall Plan, it aimed to stabilize Europe economically and politically so that European nations would not be tempted by the appeal of communist parties.

Harry Truman dewey newspaper
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1948 - Dewey Defeats Truman

In 1948, Truman won reelection. His defeat had been widely expected. His famous “Whistlestop” campaign tour through the country has passed into political folklore, as has the photograph of the beaming Truman holding up the newspaper whose headline proclaimed, “Dewey Defeats Truman.”

Marines guarding the Little White House during July 26
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1948 - Executive Order 9980 & 9981

On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued two of his most important Executive Orders, 9980 and 9981, desegregating the federal workforce and desegregating the armed forces. However, it could not be to get votes as there were not that many registered black voters.

Truman touring submarine base at Key West, Florida
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1948 - Key West Accord

In 1948, Joint Chiefs of Staff met at the Truman Little White House and merged the Departments of War and the Navy, creating the Key West Accord. This was a major step toward defining the differences between the military services over their respective roles and missions.

Truman signing North Atlantic Treaty
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1949 - NATO is Established

On July 25, 1949, President Truman and Secretary Acheson signed the Instrument of Accession, making the United States a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a mutual defense pact aimed at containing possible Soviet aggression against Western Europe. The newly created Alliance was composed of 12 different nations, including the US.

President Truman getting counted for the 1950 Census
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1950 - Census, Even the President Gets Counted

In 1950, another census year, the Truman family was vacationing in Key West. While on the island, the census caught up with the President and his family and they were interviewed on the lawn. As the picture shows, the Truman family, especially Mrs. Truman and Margaret enjoyed the line of questioning directed at the President.

President Truman with officers while enacting civil rights executive order
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1951 - Enacted the Civil Rights Executive Order

In 1951, President Harry S. Truman introduced another Executive Order which established the Committee on Government Contract Compliance. Truman created the committee with legislation passed by Roosevelt in 1941. Roosevelt’s legislation made discrimination with the federal government or defense industries based on race, color, creed, or origin illegal.

Truman at desk signing declaration that the Korean War has ended
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1953 - Korean War Ends

In 1950, President Harry S. Truman announced that he was ordering U.S. air and naval forces to South Korea to aid the democratic nation in repulsing an invasion by communist North Korea. On July 27, 1953, after two years of negotiation, an armistice was signed, ending the war and reestablishing the 1945 division of Korea that still exists today.

President Truman retiring holding four leaf clover paper weight at desk
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1953 - Truman Retires

In January 1953, Harry S. Truman left the Presidency and retired to Independence. He delighted in being “Mr. Citizen,” as he called himself in a book of memoirs. For the nearly two decades of his life remaining to him, he spent his days reading, writing, lecturing and taking long brisk walks. He took particular satisfaction in founding and supporting his Library, which made his papers available to scholars, and which opened its doors to everyone who wished to have a glimpse of his remarkable life and career.

Tickets & Packages

Truman Little White House Museum Tour

From
$22.95
SAVE UP TO 5%
truman little white house museum in key west
  • Guided tour of Florida’s only presidential museum
  • Knowledgeable guides share fascinating stories of Harry S. Truman’s time here
  • Visit where Eisenhower recuperated from his heart attack in 1956
  • Thomas Edison resided here during World War I

Truman Little White House VIP White Glove Tour

From
$645.00
vip tour at the truman little white house
  • Exclusive group tour of up to 6 guests
  • Behind the scenes glimpse of Truman's custom and original bar
  • Exclusive photo opportunity at Truman's desk and custom-built poker table
  • Access to exclusive Presidential exhibits in the White Glove Lounge
  • Complimentary refreshments & keepsake souvenir included
  • Enjoy a VIP ride in one of President Truman’s limousines

Museum Tour, Trolley Tour & Shipwreck Museum Package

From
$90.54
SAVE UP TO 5%
truman trolley and shipwreck package
  • Guided tour of Florida’s only presidential museum
  • Knowledgeable guides share fascinating stories of Harry S. Truman’s time here
  • Exciting, fully narrated tour of Key West
  • 1 day of free unlimited re-boarding / hop on & off
  • FREE admission to the Sails to Rails Museum included with ticket
  • Discover the world of shipwrecking 150 years ago
  • Hear the story of the Isaac Allerton shipwreck

Museum Tour, Conch Tour Train & Shipwreck Museum Package

From
$80.57
SAVE UP TO 5%
conch tour train truman museum and shipwreck museum package
  • Guided tour of Florida’s only presidential museum
  • Knowledgeable guides share fascinating stories of Harry S. Truman’s time here
  • Ranked Top 20 things to do on Trip Advisor
  • Full color map and discount coupons for attractions, restaurants and shopping with every ticket
  • FREE admission to the Sails to Rails Museum included with ticket
  • Discover the world of shipwrecking 150 years ago
  • Hear the story of the Isaac Allerton shipwreck
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Presidential Logs

Historical Documents

The eleven trips of President Harry S. Truman were recorded in official trip logs. Often regarded as mere souvenirs for family and staff, a more careful reading reveal clues as to the working of the president in Key West.

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Truman’s Original 1950 Limousine

The 1950 Cosmopolitan Lincoln Limousine from President Harry Truman’s presidential fleet is now at the Little White House. The Limousine will be a part of the new White Glove Tour offered by the Little White House Museum and the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation. The tour will include a private look at the Harry S. Truman Little White House, a ride in the presidential limousine and a final white glove opportunity at the Foundation Headquarters in Building 21.

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