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
Imagine our surprise when American humorist, essayist, storyteller and radio personality Garrison Keillor stopped by the Little White House on Saturday for a tour with our own Bob Wolz. As one of America’s greatest storytellers, it was quite an honor for us to share our stories of Harry S. Truman and the history of the Little White House. 
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?”
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.
Harry Truman and Herbert Hoover worked on opposite sides of the political aisle, but were smart enough not to let that keep them apart. In Truman, Hoover saw a chance to re-enter the public service arena he so loved. In Hoover, Truman saw a brilliant and dedicated public servant who could help rebuild Europe in the aftermath of World War II. Together, they forged a partnership and close friendship that would endure for 20 years.
On Saturday, March 27, Margaret Hoover, President Hoover’s great-granddaughter, and Clifton Truman Daniel, President Truman’s grandson, will discuss the Hoover-Truman friendship, how it began, how it endured, what it meant to the men themselves, and what it brought to the nation and the world. They will be joined by Ms. Hoover’s husband, John Avlon, for a follow-up discussion on the current polarization in American politics. The dinner event will be held as a fundraiser for the Harry S. Truman Key West Foundation at the Marriott Beachside Resort. Tickets are available by calling (305)294-9911.
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)
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.
The Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation is hosting its annual Holiday party for its members on Sunday, December 20 at the Little White House from 5 to 7 pm. In addition to tasty holiday treats and libations, Key West’s own Bobby Nesbit will be performing. Admission is complementary for all Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation and guests can purchase memberships at the door
Harry’s Girls, the Little White House’s auxiliary group, decorated the Little White House for the holidays. The former Winter White House of Harry S. Truman is filled with lovely red silk amaryllises, bows and greenery. Two Christmas trees one in the south porch is decorated in a 1950’s style and the living room tree in a 1940’s style. Many of the antique ornaments are on loan from Denison Temple and John Brett Buchanan and Jay.Charles Walker. Completing the festive décor is the dining room that will be set with the china and stemware of the Truman era that was donated by Harry’s Girls.
Harry's Girls decorating the tree
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.
On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address to dedicate the national military cemetery. “ Four Score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” Starting in 1948, President Harry Truman began a series of five Executive Orders to help fulfill the dream that all men are treated as equals.
EO 9808 created first Civil Rights Commission; EO 9980 desegregated the federal workforce; EO 9981 desegregated the US military; EO 10210 and EO10308 ( issued from Key West Little White House ) required federal contractors hire minorities
The dream lives on thanks to the moral courage of Harry Truman.