Truman Farm Home: Grandview, MO
Yes, it REALLY is Open for Tours! Perhaps this seems a strange way to begin a post about a local museum, but it just needed to be said. You see, the Truman Farm Home in Grandview... the quaint white historic home on Blue Ridge Blvd, a well-known landmark for residents of the Southland, is one of those historic sites that many locals have never visited simply because they didn't know they could. The home is only open for limited hours over the summer - so, if you've always been curious this is your chance!
Truman Farm Home
12301 Blue Ridge Blvd.
Grandview, MO
816.254.9929
Hours: Open Memorial Day - Labor Day. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9:30am-4pm (closed for lunch during the noon hour).
Admission: $4/guests 16 and over. Children 15 and under are FREE. Admission ALSO includes a tour of the Truman Home in Independence within one week.
Note: There are stairs throughout, making it inaccessible (beyond the first floor with assistance) for strollers and wheel chairs.
CELL PHONE TOUR:
The Cell Phone Tour is a great audio tour of the grounds with wonderful stories about Harry. You may take the Cell Phone Tour of the grounds any time (this includes off season, and we DO recommend taking the Cell Phone Tour after a guided tour of the home as well). The tour uses a Map you may obtain at the Historic Site or online - instructions provided on the call. Call 585.672.2611 and follow the instructions to follow the tour. The Cell Phone Tour shares many great stories and anecdotes about Harry Truman and his life on the farm - it is definitely worth your time.
Other Truman Sites:
- Harry S. Truman Birthplace in Lamar, Missouri
- Truman Home in Independence, Missouri
- Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri
Harry S. Truman is perhaps Jackson County's most favorite son. Born in Lamar, Missouri, growing up in Independence, and later living and working in Grandview at his grandmother's farm home (where he lived from 1906-1917). In 1960, Truman gave up his job at a Kansas City bank to help on the family farm where he worked a 12-hour day caring for animals and farming the 600 acres where they grew wheat, oats, and corn. When his father passed away, on the farm, in 1914, Harry became head of the family and responsible for the farm. Using crop rotation, a new and ingenious idea at the time, the farm was a success. In 1917, Truman left to serve in World War I. After his time in the service, he returned to Independence where he married Bess and they lived in, what is now known as, the Truman Home.
On a tour of the Farm Home, you can see the home restored to closely resemble the home as Harry knew it. Harry lovingly referred to it as, "The finest place in the world." In many ways, the farmlife helped to shape Harry into the man that would someday be President. You will see a piano, he loved to play. The rooms where they ate, visited, and slept. And, Harry's room where he and Bess exchanged nearly 1300 letters over the course of their courtship. As one of the letters indicated, Harry preferred writing over use of the telephone as his family was able to hear all of their conversations throughout the house.
REMEMBER: Your admission to the Truman Farm Home includes a tour of the Truman Home in Independence! Be sure to take advantage of this chance to see both sites!
Fun Food Before or After:
Note: These locations may be convenient en route to the John Anderson Park Sprayground in Grandview (another favorite Grandview destination)... check your driving directions to determine in advance.
- Banana Splits, Ice Cream Sundaes, Cold Summer Drinks, and more are served at Sonic Drive-In (12312 Blue Ridge Ext. Grandview, MO. 816.761.1054)
- A metro-area favorite is Holt's Do-Nuts (1325 Main St, Grandview, MO. 816.763.9334)
- Treat the kids to popcorn, ice cream or lemonade at Topsy's Popcorn (located in Truman Corners at 12324 S US Highway 71 Grandview, MO. 816.761.1990)
- Enjoy a snow cone at Tropical Sno (13416 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO. 816.519.2219. Open noon-10pm in the summer.)
