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School House to White House:
Education of the Presidents
February 7 - August 30, 2009

Documents, photographs and films drawn from the collections of the National Archives Presidential Libraries reveal fascinating details about children that would grow up to be presidents. Journey back to a time of one room school houses, large public schools, and private tutors. See these future presidents as young sports stars, choir members, and musicians. Watch them mature into serious college and military academy students. Together these experiences demonstrate the variety of educational and extra-curricular experiences that trained and influenced our nation's future leaders.

This exhibition showcases holdings from the National Archives and Records Administration's twelve Presidential Libraries and was created through a partnership between the National Archives, the Presidential Libraries, and the Foundation for the National Archives.

Selected Highlights:

  • Discover why John F. Kennedy missed 65 of the term's 88 days in kindergarten.
  • See a picture of Richard Nixon and his childhood violin, and read his 8th grade autobiography.
  • Read what Harry Truman wrote in middle school about "Courage."
  • Peek at report cards for Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson, and Jimmy Carter.
  • Learn what the presidents really thought of their teachers.
  • Find out which president, while in college, received offers to play professional football.

"School House to White House" includes more than 150 items from the holdings of the Presidential Libraries. There are large photomurals of class photos and graduations, videos showing several presidents as children, and filmed presidential reflections on their school house years.

This multi-media exhibition explores themes in the early lives of presidents, including:

Grade School - Whether they attended a one-room schoolhouse or private academy, the future presidents discovered a world of opportunity at school.

High School - See how the future presidents blossomed in school. Learn who excelled academically, and who preferred extracurricular activities.

College - All the future presidents continued their education after high school - whether it was a small institution, night school, law school, or a military service academy. Explore some of their college experiences.

Men of Many Talents - Many of the future presidents had talents and developed skills that may surprise you. Learn about their varied interests and discover who sang, who acted, who joined the band, and who enjoyed working in the outdoors.

Team Players - Whether it was football, baseball, golf, or swimming, most of the 20th-century presidents participated enthusiastically in sports. Most continued to follow and participate in sports even after they became President.

Memories - Memoirs, scrapbooks, and letters reveal a range of experiences that shaped the lives of the future presidents. View these materials to glimpse the Presidents' memories of their early lives.
Richard Nixon's first grade class

Jimmy Carter as a midshipmanBill Clinton plays the saxophone

Gerald Ford plays football

Dwight Eisenhower's High School diploma

 

 

 

The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum is one of thirteen Presidential Libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.

500 W. US Hwy. 24. Independence MO 64050
truman.library@nara.gov;
Phone: 816-268-8200 or 1-800-833-1225;
Fax: 816-268-8295.