On Saturday, February 27, we had a great group of young men at the Little White House the Boy Scouts from troops 573 and 578 that represent Key West and Big Pine Key. They were to here to plant a tree on the grounds of the Little White House as part of their Centennial Project. 2010 marks the 100th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America and troops around the country are all taking on a special service projects in honor of the this special year. The Centennial Tree that was planted was a jacaranda, which when mature, will produce large purple flowers and really look fabulous in our garden.
Archive for the ‘Key West’ Category
Happy 100th Birthday to the Boy Scouts
Monday, March 1st, 2010Cake with Bess and Harry
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010We had a wonderful turnout for Bess Truman’s birthday celebration on Saturday, February 13. Over 200 folks joined us for cake. We even had Bess (the wonderful Debbie Rothstein) help us serve the cake and she brought along her husband Harry (Debbie’s husband Tom Lavender). A good time was had by all and many thanks to the Tom and Debbie for making this a special day.
Happy Birthday Mrs. Truman!
Friday, February 5th, 2010In honor of the 125th birthday of Bess Truman, the Harry S. Truman Little White House will be serving birthday cake visitors to the house on Saturday, February 13, 2010. Mrs. Truman was a frequent visitor to Key West, accompanying her husband during five of his visits to the Southernmost City. Saturday, February 13 will also mark the debut of a new exhibit Bess Truman.
Elizabeth Virginia Wallace Truman was born on February 13, 1885 in Independence, MO. She first met Harry Truman in the first grade and married him on June 28, 1919. Their only child, Margaret was born in 1924. In 1934, Truman was elected to the US Senate and in 1944, as Vice President of the United States. Upon the death of President Roosevelt in 1945, Bess Truman became First Lady when her husband became the 33rdPresident of the United States. An extremely private person, Mrs. Truman would spend much of her husband’s presidency in Missouri, returning to Washington only for the social season.
Bess Truman died in 1982 of congestive heart failure at the age of 97 and is the longest lived First Lady in US history. Mrs. Truman is buried next to her husband at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri.

Harry & Bess Truman on their wedding day June 28, 1919.
President Kennedy’s HAWK Missiles
Monday, November 30th, 2009
On October 14, 1962 Soviet missiles were discovered in Cuba just 90 miles south of Key West. Key West, due to its close proximity to Cuba, prepared for possible invasion. Large numbers of US troops gathered here to invade Cuba and defensive measures included HAWK missiles to shoot down Soviet planes and barb wire and machine gun emplacements along the beach to deter invasion by Cuban and Soviets troops to Key West. The US Navy blockaded Cuba instead. On October 27, the Soviets agreed to remove their missiles from Cuba and the United States agreed to withdraw our missiles from Turkey and war was averted.
Forty seven years ago, on November 26, 1962, President Kennedy came to Key West to inspect the HAWK missiles sites shown above and to reassure Americans it was safe to vacation in Key West once more.
John Kennedy is one of the seven US presidents who have used the Little White House in Key West, Florida.
Happy Birthday William Howard Taft
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009William Howard Taft, born born on this date in 1857, was the first United States President to visit the Little White House (then known as Quarters A). He took the train down to the Key West stopping here in 1912 before boarding a ship to Panama to inspect construction of the Panama Canal. (more…)
Key West Picked as Best Presidential Vacation Spot
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009Harry S Truman had it right over 60 years ago when he made his first visit to Key West in 1946. For those of us who live and play in Key West, we know this as well. Let’s hope President Obama takes a look at this poll when planning his next vacation!
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2009/08/17/whispers-poll-trumans-key-west-bests-obamas-marthas-vineyard.html
Little White House Hosts Re Enlistment!
Monday, August 10th, 2009
MA1 Rodney Smith with Capt. Steven Holmes

Friends and family of MA1 Rodney Smith
This past Friday, the Little White House was please to host a military re enlistment. This is a very special time for us and one of our favorite the occasions at the house. MA1 Rodney Smith re enlisted for six more years in the United States Navy. He is currently stationed at NAS Key West. In addition to the base commanding officer, Capt. Steven Holmes being on hand, MA1 Smith had his friends and family supporting him as well. Congratulations MA1 Smith!

MA1 Rodney Smith sitting a Harry Truman's desk.
Little White House Featured on the Today Show
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Check our the Little White House on NBC’s Today Show! We had a great time with the Al Roker and the crew while they filmed the house.The show had a weeklong series called Today Takes a Vacation and we scored with Key West being one of four cities they featured.
President Obama with His New Truman Little White House T-Shirt
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
Photo courtesy of Kendrick Meeks
President Obama has heard about the Little White House. Congressman Kendrick Meeks was here a few weeks ago and purchased one of our presidential vacation shirts for the President. On board Air Force One , the Meeks presented our shirt to the president and the president’s smile says it all !!!!
Congressman Kendrick Meeks pays us a visit
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Kendrick meeks visits the Little White House
It’s only April and we have had our shares of VIP’s visiting. This last weekend we hosted Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL). (more…)

