We're just wild about Harry (S Truman)!

Finally a day with a short drive! We only had 200 miles to cover today, from Salina, Kansas to Independence, Missouri.

We stopped Topeka, the capital of Kansas, for a quick photo of the capitol building (under repair, again).

We also saw a sign for "Brown v Board of Education Historical Site". This was unexpected, so we had to see it. We followed the signs and came to Monroe Elementary School, which has been preserved by the National Park Service, and has a couple small but powerful exhibits about the conflict and violence that resulted from attempts to desegregate schools like Little Rock Central High School and the University of Mississippi. We're glad that we got to see an important landmark like this on our trip; Allegra felt it was historic as well (she's never seen an elementary school that was just one building before).

Brown v Board of Ed National Historic Site

Our next stop was at the University of Kansas to see the campus and get a t-shirt or two. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!!

"Allegra, can you see going to school here?" "Nope."

Lunch was at the world famous Gates & Sons Bar-B-Q in Independence. Delicious BBQ, delicious french fries, and ENORMOUS drinks - yikes! Geoff DiBello, thank you for the tip!

Before

After - is that lemonade big enough?

The Harry Truman Presidential Library and Museum was very impressive. The first Presidential Library built (1957), President Truman kept an office there until the late 1960's. It was also the first time that a former president gave all of his papers and state gifts to the National Archives for research and public access, and he was very active in making the library happen.

The (obligatory) introductory film, describing his life up until becoming president, was less aggrandizing than the Eisenhower film yesterday, and it led into the exhibits of Truman's presidency and associated world events in the post-war era. Rooms depicting the economic problems in the US and in Europe immediately after WWII were especially striking, as these aren't things often highlighted in how we learn about that time. There was also extensive coverage of the campaign of 1948 (of course), with very little equal time given to Governor Dewey - oh well, to the winners go the spoils!

The museum also has a replica of President Truman's Oval Office (furniture replicas, most actual accessories), with some narration recorded by President Truman himself. The (figurative) centerpiece is a huge globe that was given to President Truman by General Eisenhower (Eisenhower kept it when he became president).

Excellent words to live by

We also did a drive-by of the Truman House, where Harry and Bess lived before he was elected to the Senate in 1934. Bess Truman came from a prominent local family, so Harry had to marry into money to get this sweet house!

Harry Truman's house on Truman Street (what're the odds?)

Time to sign off, we have a long drive through the wilds of Missouri and Arkansas tomorrow. We'll talk to you later!