Comments on: Truman Library and Museum

By: Kelly Bailey

Kelly Bailey — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 16:07:17 +0000

THE INDEPENDENCE TRIP WAS WONDERFUL. THE TRUMAN LIBRARY IS AN INCREDIABLE SOURCE FOR TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND OTHERS WHO WANT TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT TRUMAN AND HIS ADMINISTRATION. TOO BE HONEST, I NEVER REALLY FOUND AN INTEREST IN TRUMAN UNTIL THIS TRIP. BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND GLEAN THROUGH THE DOCUMENTS MADE ME REALIZE WHAT ROLE HE PLAYED IN AMERICAN HISTORY. TRUMAN SUFFERED THROUGH A VERY HECTIC AND CONTROVERSIAL PRESIDENCY. HE HAS MAY RESPECT!!!! THE ARABIA STEAMBOAT MUSEUM WAS VERY INTERESTING AND IMPRESSIVE. I LOVED THE HANDS ON ARTIFACT CLEANING ACTIVITY. I HAVE LEARNED TREMENDOUS AMOUNTS TO TAKE BACK TO THE CLASSROOM AND TO SHARE WITH MY STUDENTS.

By: Jim Bob Hulsey

Jim Bob Hulsey — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 13:37:55 +0000

Our trip to Independence was again another incredible trip. The Truman Library was full of actual sources of the Cold War, the tour there, the hands on, and the role play all were very informative. The Steamboat museum and the oportunity to work in the preservation lab was a real treat. But of course, the trip to the Kansa City vs Texas baseball game was one more thing that added true enjoyment to the trip. Thanks again for the experiences that PACETAH has given me the chance to have.

By: Jan Weston

Jan Weston — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 21:30:55 +0000

This was my first trip with PACETAH. Everything went so smoothly. My favorite was the Truman Library. I enjoyed going over the personal letters and notes from that period. I was impressed with the classes that had been set up for schools at the library. My appreciation for events during the Cold War has grown tremendously. The information from the library, along with the book on Truman, helped put many things into perspective. I also enjoyed the Arabia Steamboat Musuem which I wasn’t even remotely familiar with. I was fascinated with all the objects: buttons to china. It was truly a step back in time. What would have made the trip to Missouri perfect would have been a Ranger victory. Oh well. A little more time, if possible, looking through the archives at the library would have been fun, too.

By: Rachel Huseman

Rachel Huseman — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 21:09:14 +0000

I really enjoyed going on this trip. This was my first one as a part of the grant, and I felt that all of the experienced members were great about including the “newbies” and showing us the ropes.

I thought going to the Truman Library was great. I enjoyed the Spy Game, and I think my students will love doing it, so I’m looking forward to trying it out in the spring. I wish that we’d been able to have more time on research, though. All the documents we were able to look at were fascinating, and I heard lots of “Look what I found!” sorts of comments while we worked.

By: Alan Cox

Alan Cox — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 18:25:47 +0000

I think this was the perfect trip! I believe that history teachers should go to as many presidential libraries as possible. In going to the Truman Library, I was able to get not only a sense of Truman the president, but also Truman the man. I am anxious to use the spy game in class that we learned at the library.

As a lover of baseball, I was thrilled to go to the Royals game. It seemed that every one in the group enjoyed the game even though the Rangers lost.

I was also impressed with the Arabia Museum. It is a well organized and interesting museum. I also thought the hands on lesson in preserving artifacts was outstanding.

By: Paige Artho

Paige Artho — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 23:30:20 +0000

I loved the trip to Missouri, even the driving in circles! But hey, at least that bus driver left his shirt on! I really enjoyed the Truman library and the descision making simulation we participated in and being able to visit the Truman graves was a wonderful experience.

I’m embarrassed to admit it but before I went to Missouri I had never heard about the Arabia. My degree is in history and I have taught for 6 years and the Arabia had never entered into the curriculum on either end. I LOVED this museum and it was by far the best part of the trip mainly because it was all new inforamtion to me.

The background inforamtion on Truman that we received from Dr. Rausch and Dr. Vizzini enhanced all the activities that we took part in and I think this was the best summer institute we have had, but of course they have all been wonderful. Thanks Danna.

By: David Hutchison

David Hutchison — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 22:49:29 +0000

The Trip to Kansas City was a real treat. I enjoyed the Truman Center. The White House Decision Center was great. To experience the process of the Berlin airlift decision, to be made even with limited information, was a great learning experience. I found the press conference to be taxing to say the least. Even when I knew some of the questions were comming. (thanks Dr. Schaffer)

I tried to view Independance as it was in the trail days when it was the place of origin for the Santa Fe, California and Oregan Trails. This weekend I stood in the plaza in Santa Fe and reflected on the beginnings of the trail. It was a great experience to be at both places in such a short time.

I also viewed Independance as Truman saw it as a boy, farmer, soldier, Judge, supervisor of the roads, President and Ex-President. It was great to ride on the old road from Independance to KC seeing the same buildings that Harry saw.

I loved the baseball game. My first professional game ever. Thanks for the experience everyone. I loved the Artabia. A true vision from the past. It was an homor to meet one that had the guts to put it all together. It was great!!

This trip was an A+ for sure.

By: Dorothy Hulsey

Dorothy Hulsey — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 02:35:54 +0000

I have always believed that nothing is more educational than to physically “go and do”. Our fortunate group received excellent instuction about the Cold War and Harry S. Truman from professors Rausch and Vinzinni before we departed. Because of creative and well-developed planning by Dana Beck and Dr. Shafer, we traveled to Independence, MO and experienced first hand, and “hands-on” the life of Truman and the United States at the beginning of the Cold War.
The Truman Museum and Library aspires to be as user-friendly and informative as a depository of a president’s papers, mementos, and biographical information can be. Also impressive was the educational attitude of the staff of the library. They are to be commended for being most cooperative and creative. The simulation of the Berlin Airlift Crisis Press Conference from inside the White House is something I hope to adapt for my classroom.
I am sure the Truman Library and Musuem must be the best of its kind.
We were fortunate also to be able to see the traveling 60 foot display of the White House in very-detailed miniature. I loved it.

I had no idea before this trip how much of historical interest there is to experience in the Kansas City area. Being able to explore the museum of the Arabia, and actually getting to properly clean a screw reclaimed from this steamship that sunk in 1857, made me wish to be able to devise a similar experience for my students. They would all be in love with history!

I am very grateful for the knowledge and the experience gained during this summer’s institute for PACETAH. One cannot help but be a better teacher, no matter how many years of experience.

By: Bob Horton

Bob Horton — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 21:42:29 +0000

It was a treat to be on a trip with teachers and so thoroughly enjoy myself.

We were fortunate that we had a group that was able to be collegial and congenial at the same time.

It boggles my mind to think of the things I will be able to relate to my students in the future about the Oregon Trail.

Thanks to Danna for being our leader and keeping us on task (most of the time).

I especially enjoyed Staci and her little friend C** C**.

By: Debbie Edmondson

Debbie Edmondson — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 18:33:35 +0000

This was a wonderful trip. I couldn’t believe we crammed so much into three days. This was my second trip to the Truman Library, but we saw so much more this time. I was fascinated by the archives and how everything is stored. I would have enjoyed some time going through the photographs in the audio-visual room. The simulation of the crisis room was interesting and fun and a real eye-opener to the decision-making process. There was enough time to see all of the exhibits; I had missed the downstairs on the earlier visit. My favorite exhibit was the pictures of the White House rennovation and seeing the heavy equipment in the shell of the structure.

At the Frontier Museum a few of us were able to convince the man at the Railroad Museum to let us have a quick peek. The waiting area and telegraph/ticket office were very interesting. There were so many items to see and the gentleman explained things he felt were interesting. We were able to go upstairs to see the stationmaster’s living quarters which was furnished with period furniture. My son would love this museum–there were several miniature trains upstairs. I enjoyed the different wagons displayed at the Frontier Museum and there were several other items as well.

The Arabia was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. I hope to take my family to see it someday. Seeing the first large window display with all of the dishes, pots and pans, buckets, tools, and writing utensils was overwhelming. The story tells itself. I couldn’t get over the fact that settlers were depending on these things to help them with their new lives on the frontier. Losing them meant that they either had to improvise or do without. I am so impressed with the family for what they have done with their treasure. Cleaning an artifact was the highlight of the day. I really liked using the dental pick!