Truman Presidential Library and Museum Grounds

The Truman Presidential Library and Museum is located on 14 acres of gently rolling terrain in Harry S. Truman’s hometown of Independence, Missouri. It is one of fifteen Presidential Libraries in the United States and is managed by the National Archives. The library was established in 1957 with the mission to keep President Truman’s life and legacy alive and preserve and provide access to President Truman’s historical materials. Over the last five years, this world-class Presidential Library and Museum has undergone a series of state-of-the-art building renovations and exhibition updates. The capstone project of the library and museum renovation is the grounds reimagination led by OLIN.

On the grounds, it is imagined that visitors will be able to continue their education of President Truman in ways that they are unable to indoors. A series of programmed spaces are being explored that could be organized along a “Walk with Harry” trail that allows visitors to do one of the activities that President Truman loved most: walking, strolling, or rolling outside. Along this network, the team is working with the Library Institute, Library Team, and community leaders to imagine opportunities for connection to various narratives about Truman’s life, transportation, the native flora and fauna of native tallgrass prairies, Independence’s role in the westward expansion, and Truman’s lasting legacy that was shaped through conflicts and resolutions throughout his life. The new grounds aim to expand visitor experience through outdoor spaces that enhance education and support the Truman legacy while celebrating the landscape of Independence. Across the site, visitors will be able to further understand Truman’s global impact and how it was grounded in the place he called home.

Location
Independence, MO

Owner
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum
Truman Library Institute

Status
In progress

Key Team Members
Jessica M. Henson, Partner
Tiffany Beamer, Partner
Chi-Tsai Liu, Project Manager
AJ Sus, Landscape Architect
Andrea Binz, Landscape Designer
Jonathan Franklin, Landscape Designer
Kate Lawler, Environmental Graphics and Visual Communications