The property now known as Harry S. Truman Little White House was completed 120 years ago today. On May 24, 1890, the keys to Officers Quarters A and B in Key West were handed to Commander Winn who had overseen its construction begun only four months earlier. It was originally designed as a duplex for the Commandant and the Paymaster, but in 1911 the building was modified into the 8,700 square foot single family home that remains today. The total building cost was $7,489.

It is most well known as the retreat for President Harry Truman who visited the house 11 times for 175 days between 1946 and 1953. Presidents who have used the house in addition to Truman were William Howard Taft in 1912, Franklin Roosevelt in 1926, Dwight Eisenhower in 1955 and 1956, John Kennedy in 1961 and 1962, Jimmy Carter in 1996 and 2007 and Bill Clinton in 2005. Other notable guests include: Thomas Edison in 1918, King Hussein I of Jordan in 1972, the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1948 and again in 2000 and Secretary of State Colin Powell in 2001.

Harry S. Truman Little White House

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With just two weeks until the 8th Annual Truman Legacy Symposium we wanted to continue to introduce you to the folks who will presenting on this year’s theme, The Legacy of Harry S. Truman in East Asia: Japan, China and the Two Koreas.

William Stueck

William Stueck is Distinguished Research Professor of History, University of Georgia. His books include The Korean War: An International History (Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1995) and Rethinking the Korean War (Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2002).

Tickets are now available for the symposium by call us at 305-294-9911.

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This last Friday (April 16) the Harry S. Truman Little White House hosted Florida Governor Charlie Crist. It was the governor’s first visit to the Little White House. The event was private but not without a notable figure or two including former Miami Dolphins Head Coach and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Don Shula.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Former Miami Dophins Head Coach Don Shula

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On this day, April 12. 1945, President Franklin Roosevelt died in Warm Springs, Georgia, and Vice President Harry S Truman was sworn into office as our 33rd US President. Over the next eight years Truman would end World War II, alter forever our position as a world power and bring racial and religious equality to untold Americans.

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What a month it has been for presidential relatives.  On Thursday, we had a visit by Luci Baines Johnson, the younger daughter of President Lyndon Baines Johnson.  Luci was visiting Key West with her husband, Ian Turpin and commented that both her father and President Truman shared the fact that they both came to the presidency due to death of the president, in this case Roosevelt and Kennedy. We were captivated by Luci all and hope that she will join us in February of 2011 for our fundraiser with the other presidential children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.  

She left a lovely note in our guest book, part of which we will share here:

The Truman’s and Johnson’s shared so much.  It was a real privilege to visit the home that game him (Truman) peace for President Truman gave us all peace.

(l-r) Ian Turpin, Paul Hilson, Luci Baines Johnson, Bob Wolz and Jane Vetter

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We had a wonderful event this last Friday, March 26 at the Little White House.  The Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation and Harry’s Girls hosted Clifton Truman Daniel, Margaret Hoover and her husband author and political commentator, John Avlon.  The conversation and discussions were wonderful as was the food and drink.  We are hoping to have them back next year for an event that is not to be missed!

John Avlon, Margaret Hoover and Clifton Truman Daniel

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