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10th Annual Truman Legacy Symposium: Truman and Foreign Aid

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

On May 18 and 19, the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation and the Harry S. Truman Library will host its 10th annual Truman Legacy Symposium. This year’s topic will be Truman and Foreign Aid. The event starts with a reception at the Harry S. Truman Little White House on Friday, May 18th at 6 pm with guest speaker former Florida Governor and United States Senator Bob Graham. The symposium opens on Saturday, May 19 at the Marriott Beachside Resort with Keynote Speaker Tom Zeiler of the University of Colorado with his topic, Genesis of a Foreign Aid Revolution. The symposium will also feature notable academics and writers discussing the President Truman’s foreign aid policy and the Marshall Plan following World War II.

Admission to the Harry S. Truman Legacy Symposium is $125 and includes admission to all events, the opening night reception, breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Tickets may be purchased through the Harry S. Truman Little White House or on www.keystix.com. For more information, please contact Bob Wolz, Executive Director or visit www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com

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Life in the Presidential Fishbowl

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Clifton Truman Daniel, Susan Ford Bales, Margaret Hoover and Luci Baines Johnson

If you were unable to join us last Saturday night at the Truman Little White House you missed quite and evening with four presidential children and grandchildren. Luci Baines Johnson, Susan Ford, Clifton Truman Daniel and Margaret Hoover shared their insights and memories sharing their lives as relatives of United States Presidents. CNN Commentator John Avlon moderated the evening from the lawn of the Little White House.

Not to dispair, CSPAN aired the event live on CSPAN3 and you can watch it here.

We will be doing it again next year on Saturday, February 18, 2012, so mark you calendars now!

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Even the President Gets Counted

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

2010 is a census year in the United States, which is basically the government’s way of doing a head count.  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.  Even the the President of the United States is not immune to the questions of census as he was asked, “What is your occupation?”

The Truman family with a census worker in 1950.

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Happy 100th Birthday to the Boy Scouts

Monday, March 1st, 2010

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.

Boy Scouts from Troops 573 and 578 planting their Centennial Tree

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Cake with Bess and Harry

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

We 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.

Bess Truman (Debbie Rothstein), Bob Wolz and Harry Truman (Tom Lavender)

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Happy Birthday Mrs. Truman!

Friday, February 5th, 2010

In 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.

Harry & Bess Truman on their wedding day June 28, 1919.

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FDR at the Little White House

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Harry Truman once was quoted as saying, “There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.” We at the Little White House phrased it as “History is a process of discovery”. It seems we are always learning some long forgotten fact and discovering a “new” story that has relevance to the Little White House.

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Larooco Captain Morris, his wife, unidentified crew & FDR March 21,1926.

Recently, we were delighted to read the ship’s log of the Larooco.  In August 1921 Roosevelt had been stricken with poliomyelitis. He became an early proponent for hydrotherapy and believed the clear salt water and warm sunshine of the Florida Keys had recuperative effects.  He rented a houseboat in February and March of  1923 and was convinced of the positive results. “I have been swimming four times and it goes better and better. I am sure this warmth and exercise is doing lots of good.” (March 5,1924)

(more…)

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Happy Birthday William Howard Taft

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

William 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…)

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Key West Picked as Best Presidential Vacation Spot

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Harry 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

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Little White House Hosts Re Enlistment!

Monday, August 10th, 2009
MA1 Rodney Smith with Capt. Steven Holmes

MA1 Rodney Smith with Capt. Steven Holmes

Friends and family of MA1 Rodney Smith

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.

MA1 Rodney Smith sitting a Harry Truman's desk.

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