|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 26, 2004
CONTACT: Holly Milledge, 816-268-8245
EVENT: Harry S. Truman 120th Birthday Anniversary Week Events
LOCATION: Truman Presidential Museum & Library,
U.S. 24 Highway and Delaware
Harry
S. Truman birthday week offers an exciting array of events at the
Truman Presidential Museum & Library.
Independence, Mo.
- The 120th Birthday of President Harry S. Truman will be celebrated in
style this week at the Truman Presidential Museum & Library. Highlights
include a free concert, staff presentations, the Truman Public Service
Award, wreath layings and 2 for 1 admission on May 8th, the President's
Birthday. Truman impersonator Niel Johnson appears from 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.,
May 5, 6, 7 and 8th.
Monday, May 3
1:30 p.m. - "Thomas Hart Benton, Harry Truman and the Making of Independence
and the Opening of the West." Archivist Ray Geselbracht describes
the friendship between the former President and the artist and the creation
of the Truman Library's mural painting.
Tuesday, May 4
1:30 p.m. - "Truman and Pendergast." Tom Heuertz shares how
Truman began his political career under the patronage of Mike Pendergast
and then rose to United States Senator with the help of dominant Kansas
City figure Tom Pendergast. Even when "Boss Tom" went to prison,
Truman stayed loyal to him.
Wednesday, May 5
1:30 p.m. - "Bess in Hats." Ray Geselbracht and Pat Dorsey share
how the stylish young Bess Wallace loved to wear hats and pose for photographs.
As First Lady, Bess felt somewhat differently about photographs, but she
still loved hats.
Thursday, May 6
1:30 p.m. - "The Planes, Trains, and Automobiles of Harry S. Truman."
David Clark draws on the Library's audiovisual holdings to show President
Truman on the Augusta, the Williamsburg, the Sacred Cow, the Independence,
and the Ferdinand Magellan, as well as in an assortment of cars, in a
gondola, on horseback, and walking.
Friday, May 7
1:30 p.m. - "Harry S. Truman, Man of Character." Tom Heuertz
explores the character traits that made Truman the kind of president he
was, and that cause some people to say such things, as "Lincoln at
his best was Trumanesque."
7:00 p.m. - Michael
Beschloss, Presidential historian and commentator, receives the City of
Independence Award for Public Service on the Library's portico. A reception
in the museum follows the ceremony. Admission is free. For information
call the City of Independence: 816- 325-7027.
Saturday, May 8 -
Harry S. Truman's 120th Birthday. 2 for 1 admission all day.
9:30 a.m. - American Legion Pilgrimage, Wreath Laying Ceremony. Representatives
of over fifty American Legion posts will observe President Truman's birthday
by laying wreaths at his gravesite. The ceremonies will include a color
guard procession and a memorial address. Museum visitors may observe from
the Courtyard or the Legacy Gallery.
Unless otherwise noted,
programs are free with Museum admission.
The Truman
Presidential Museum & Library is one of ten Presidential Libraries
administered by the National
Archives and Records Administration. It is located at U.S. Highway
24 and Delaware in Independence, Missouri. For more information on the
Museum and programs, call (816) 833-1225 or visit www.trumanlibrary.org.
|
