FAQs

The Harry S. Truman Little White House is open for tours daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, 365 days a year. You can visit the museum and explore the grounds during these hours to experience Florida’s only presidential museum.

One of the most significant events of Truman’s presidency was the end of World War II. Truman made the call to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ultimately leading to Japan’s surrender and the end of the war. While controversial, Truman argued that this decision saved American lives and was ultimately necessary to end the war quickly.

The Marshall Plan is another significant achievement of Truman’s presidency. It was designed to provide economic assistance to Western Europe, helping to rebuild after the devastation of World War II. The plan was a crucial part of America’s recovery and helped to maintain political stability across Europe. The Marshall Plan demonstrated Truman’s commitment to international leadership and set the stage for America’s continued involvement in global events.

The Truman Doctrine established that the United States would assist any country threatened by communist forces or ideology. The Truman Doctrine demonstrated Truman’s firm stance on communism, and his willingness to act when necessary to protect American interests.

Truman was also a vocal advocate for civil rights. He established a Presidential Committee on Civil Rights, which recommended significant reforms to address discrimination and racism in America. Truman also issued executive orders desegregating the military and federal agencies. Truman’s support for civil rights was a significant step forward for American society, and his efforts paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement in the following years.

After leaving office, Truman created the Truman Library and Museum to act as a repository of presidential papers and information about his presidency. The library contains over 15 million pages of documents, and it’s one of the most significant historical archives in the country. The Truman Library is a testament to Truman’s belief in the importance of preserving history and ensuring that future generations can learn from the past.

A standard guided tour of the Truman Little White House typically lasts approximately one hour. During this time, knowledgeable docents lead you through the historic rooms where the 33rd President lived and worked, sharing fascinating stories about his time in Key West.

While reservations are not required or accepted for standard tours, we highly recommend purchasing tickets online in advance to receive a discount. For the exclusive White Glove Tour, reservations are required and should be made through our website to secure your preferred date and time.

Yes, the botanical gardens surrounding the home are available for self-guided exploration as part of your visit. You can walk the nearly one acre of tropical foliage and trees, including historic species and tropical fruit trees, which form a peaceful, park-like setting for the museum.

Guided house tours are offered daily throughout the museum’s operating hours. You should check in with the booth agent at the Truman Annex kiosk upon arrival to be placed on the next available house tour.

Parking is prohibited within the Truman Annex residential community itself. Visitors should utilize nearby paid parking options at Mallory Square, the Opal Key Resort parking garage, or public lots along Whitehead Street.

President Harry S. Truman spent a total of 175 days living and working at the Little White House during 11 separate visits between 1946 and 1952. These working vacations allowed him to handle domestic and international issues while seeking refuge from Washington winters.

Truman, the house has hosted several other U.S. Presidents throughout its history.

William Howard Taft
Dwight D. Eisenhower
John F. Kennedy
Jimmy Carter
Bill Clinton

The Harry S. Truman Little White House is significant as Florida’s only presidential museum and the site where President Truman ran the affairs of the government for 175 days. It was here that he worked on monumental policies like the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine.

Famous inventor Thomas Edison resided at the house for six months in 1918 while serving the war effort. During his stay, he worked on perfecting 41 new weapons for the U.S. Navy, including depth charges and underwater search equipment.

Yes, the museum is furnished with authentic Truman memorabilia, which includes his famous “The Buck Stops Here” sign displayed on his desk. This iconic artifact is part of the meticulously restored interior that reflects the house as it appeared during the Truman era.

The museum features the unique handmade poker table that was custom-built for President Truman’s visits. This original piece of furniture is a highlight of the tour, showcasing the more informal, personal side of the President’s working vacations in Key West.

The museum displays an original 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Limousine that belonged to President Truman. This vehicle is a primary artifact of the presidential site, and guests on the White Glove Tour are even treated to a VIP ride in the limousine to the Truman Waterfront.

Approximately 90% of the furnishings currently in the Little White House are original to the Truman era (circa 1949). The house has undergone an extensive restoration project to ensure that the dining rooms, living quarters, and offices look exactly as they did during the President’s stays.

You can view President Truman’s personal effects and belongings, including his famous tropical shirts, as part of the museum’s permanent exhibits. These items represent the relaxed “Key West uniform” the President adopted while conducting official business on the island.

The museum showcases many of the President’s personal belongings and original furnishings used during his visits. While specific artifacts vary, the home is restored to reflect his daily life, including the rooms where he lived, dined, and engaged in his favorite pastimes.

Photographs are welcome on the grounds and exterior of the home. To protect the integrity of the historic site and 90% original furnishings, photography is generally restricted inside the house, though White Glove Tour guests are offered an exclusive photo opportunity at Truman’s desk.

Out of respect for the presidency and the historic nature of the site, we ask that all guests dress appropriately. This means no swimwear and no bare feet are permitted inside the museum.

Yes, service animals are permitted to accompany their owners on the guided tours of the house and grounds. Please note that the Truman Annex gated community has strict leash regulations for all other pets.

Strollers and motorized scooters are not permitted inside the interior of the historic home to prevent damage to the original floors and furnishings. However, several trolleys in our fleet are equipped with lifts to assist mobility-impaired guests in reaching the site stop.

The White Glove Tour is an exclusive 2.5-hour experience for up to six guests. It includes:

A VIP ride in Truman’s 1950 Lincoln Limousine.

A behind-the-scenes look at the custom bar and archives.

A photo opportunity at Truman’s desk.

Complimentary refreshments and a keepsake souvenir.

Yes, the Little White House is a premier venue for weddings, bridal ceremonies, and corporate dinners. The botanical gardens provide a lush, tropical backdrop for private events, which are typically held after the museum closes to the public in the evening.

Exclusive photo opportunities at President Truman’s desk and his handmade poker table are available only to guests who book the White Glove VIP Tour. This provides a rare chance to sit where history was made and capture a professional-style memory.

The house is a classic West Indian-style wooden duplex featuring architectural elements designed for the tropical climate. Key features include its wooden construction, large windows for ventilation, and its original placement on the Key West harbor waterfront.

The site hosted the 1948 meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where they hammered out the framework for the Department of Defense. This historic meeting is often referred to as the Key West Agreement (or Accord), as it unified the branches of the military.

President Truman used the site to consider momentous policy decisions, including the development of the Marshall Plan for European recovery and the Truman Doctrine. He also utilized the house for critical meetings regarding civil rights and the early United States response to the Cold War.