THE HARRY S TRUMAN LIBRARY INSTITUTE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

EDUCATION: THE TRUMAN LIBRARY OFFERS A SUITE OF ENGAGING ON-SITE AND SCHOOL-BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT MEET STATE AND NATIONAL ACADEMIC STANDARDS. THESE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO TEACH PARTICIPANTS ABOUT TRUMAN, DEMOCRACY, THE PRESIDENCY, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, WHILE STRENGTHENING IMPORTANT LIFE AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. EACH YEAR, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS GAIN A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR NATION'S HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, AND DEMOCRATIC IDEALS THROUGH THE LIBRARY'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. USING PRIMARY SOURCE DOCUMENTS AND ARTIFACTS, STUDENTS DRAW CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND, ANTICIPATE, AND RESOLVE PROBLEMS. THE WHITE HOUSE DECISION CENTER - THIS PROGRAM GIVES STUDENTS AN EXTENDED, IMMERSIVE, AND INSPIRATIONAL EXPERIENCE AT ONE OF KANSAS CITY'S ICONIC CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS WHILE ALSO PROVIDING THEM WITH A UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THAT STRENGTHENS MANY CORE SKILLS. INSPIRED BY PRESIDENT TRUMAN'S LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPED BY NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EDUCATORS, THIS HANDS-ON HISTORY LAB IS THE TRUMAN LIBRARY'S FLAGSHIP EDUCATION PROGRAM. THE WHITE HOUSE DECISION CENTER'S SIMULATIONS IMMERSE STUDENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, THE PRESIDENCY, AND HIGH-STAKES DECISION MAKING IN A TRULY UNIQUE SETTING, A RECREATION OF THE TRUMAN-ERA WEST WING OF THE WHITE HOUSE. TEACHERS HAVE DESCRIBED IT AS ONE OF THE MOST PROFOUND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES IN THEIR STUDENTS' ACADEMIC CAREERS. COMMUNITY EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS - THE TRUMAN LIBRARY INSTITUTE IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AS MANY STUDENTS AS POSSIBLE WITH ACCESS TO THE TRUMAN LIBRARY. OVER THE PAST TWENTY YEARS, OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND HAS GIVEN STUDENTS FROM ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED SCHOOL DISTRICTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT AND EXPERIENCE THE TRUMAN LIBRARY'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITIONS AT MINIMAL OR NO COST. GRANT SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS CAN BE USED TO COVER MUSEUM ADMISSIONS, WHITE HOUSE DECISION CENTER FEES, BUS TRANSPORTATION AND SUBSTITUTE TEACHER COSTS. READING LIKE A HISTORIAN SECOND, THIRD, AND FIFTH GRADE PROGRAM IS A MUSEUM-BASED, TRUMAN-FOCUSED, AND FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. THE STUDENTS INVESTIGATE THE TRUMAN LIBRARY'S MUSEUM EXHIBITS AS THEY STUDY THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, TRUMAN'S LEADERSHIP SKILLS, HIS MOMENTOUS DECISIONS AS PRESIDENT, AND HIS LASTING LEGACY. READING LIKE A HISTORIAN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM IS AN IN-CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE RATHER THAN A MUSEUM-BASED EXPERIENCE. MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE IMMERSED IN AN INTENSIVE WEEK OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT. TEACHERS ARE PROVIDED WITH ACCESS TO EXPERTS IN THE SUBJECT AREA AND ARCHIVISTS TO ASSIST WITH CONTENT AND RESOURCES. ULTIMATELY, THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES TEACHERS WITH A TRUMAN CURRICULUM, COMPLETE INVESTIGATIVE UNITS, LESSON PLANS, AND RESOURCES. EACH UNIT IS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP STUDENTS' CRITICAL THINKING AND INVESTIGATIVE SKILLS AND USES PRIMARY SOURCE MATERIALS FROM THE TRUMAN LIBRARY TO TEACH THEM ABOUT HISTORY AND PRESIDENT TRUMAN. INSTITUTE FUNDS ALSO SPONSOR THE GREATER KANSAS CITY REGIONAL NATIONAL HISTORY DAY COMPETITION, CIVICS FOR ALL INCLUDING THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, THE STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, THE IN-CLASSROOM TRUMAN FOOTLOCKER PROGRAM, EDUCATOR WORKSHOPS, THE ANNUAL WEEK-LONG SUMMER TEACHER CONFERENCE, TEACHER LESSON PLANS, STUDENT RESOURCES AND RESEARCH FILE, AND A FALL PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA CONTEST. THANKS TO GENEROUS DONOR SUPPORT, THE "EXPANDING PRESIDENT TRUMAN'S CLASSROOM FOR DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE" INCLUDES NEW DOCENT TRAINING, STUDENT AND TEACHER RESOURCE MATERIALS, CURRICULUM STANDARD REVIEWS AND NEW PROMOTIONAL BROCHURES AND VIDEOS. TRUMAN'S RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM CONTINUES TO ATTRACT TOP SCHOLARS AND EXPAND OUR UNDERSTANDING OF TRUMAN AND HIS CONSEQUENTIAL PRESIDENCY. SINCE OPENING IN 1959, THE LIBRARY'S RESEARCH ROOM HAS WELCOMED MORE THAN 15,000 HISTORIANS, WRITERS, AND SCHOLARS FROM MORE THAN 40 NATIONS. FROM THE BEGINNING AND TO THE PRESENT, THE INSTITUTE HAS PROVIDED MORE THAN $3.5 MILLION IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO RESEARCHERS. TODAY, RESEARCH GRANTS, AWARDS, AND FELLOWSHIPS PROVIDE CRUCIAL ASSISTANCE TO EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED SCHOLARS WHOSE CONTRIBUTIONS ILLUMINATE THE CRITICAL ISSUES OF TRUMAN'S PRESIDENCY AND LEGACY.DISSERTATION YEAR FELLOWSHIPS SUBSIDIZE A DOCTORAL STUDENT'S TEACHING OR EMPLOYMENT INCOME TO FACILITATE THE COMPLETION OF A DISSERTATION THAT INCLUDES HISTORICAL SCHOLARSHIP OF TRUMAN'S CAREER OR TIME PERIOD. THE SCHOLAR'S AWARD SUPPLEMENTS TEACHING OR EMPLOYMENT SALARIES FOR ESTABLISHED SCHOLARS WORKING ON SOME ASPECT OF TRUMAN OR PUBLIC AND FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES PROMINENT DURING HIS TIME. RESEARCH GRANTS, INCLUDING THE JOHN K. HULSTON SCHOLARSHIP, OFFSET THE COST OF CONDUCTING ONSITE RESEARCH AT THE TRUMAN LIBRARY. THE BIENNIAL HARRY S. TRUMAN BOOK AWARD RECOGNIZES THE BEST BOOK PUBLISHED WITHIN A TWO-YEAR PERIOD DEALING PRIMARILY AND SUBSTANTIALLY WITH TRUMAN OR THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES DURING HIS PRESIDENCY.THE INSTITUTE AIMS TO FULFILL PRESIDENT TRUMAN'S WISHES FOR HIS LIBRARY BY ENSURING ACCESS TO HIS PAPERS AND THE STUDY OF THE PRESIDENCY. TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WISHES FOR TODAY AND THE FUTURE, THE INSTITUTE SPONSORS COLLECTION, PRESERVATION AND ARTIFACT CONSERVATION.

PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS: WITH THE GOAL OF INFORMING AND ENGAGING LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCES, THE TRUMAN LIBRARY AND INSTITUTE PRESENT DISTINGUISHED AUTHORS, HISTORIANS, JOURNALISTS, AND DIGNITARIES IN LECTURES, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, AND SIGNATURE EVENTS. THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES, THE LIBRARY AND INSTITUTE STRIVE TO INCREASE ATTENDANCE NUMBERS, VISIBILITY, AND ITS NETWORK OF FRIENDS, WHILE ALSO INSPIRING AUDIENCES TO PLAY A ROLE IN SHAPING OUR NATION'S FUTURE. PROGRAM PRESENTERS HAVE INCLUDED U.S. PRESIDENTS, SECRETARIES OF STATE AND DEFENSE, AMBASSADORS, SENATORS, CONGRESSMEN, AND GENERALS. INSTITUTE SIGNATURE, DISTINGUISHED, AND OTHER NOTABLE BOOK EVENTS:OCTOBER 10, 2024 - TRUMAN ECONOMIC POLICY MEDAL PRESENTED TO THOMAS M. HOENIG, FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE TENTH DISTRICT FEDERAL RESERVE BANK IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI FOR OUTSTANDING FISCAL LEADERSHIP. THE TRUMAN MEDAL FOR ECONOMIC POLICY IS JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE TRUMAN LIBRARY INSTITUTE, THE HENRY W. BLOCH SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY, AND THE ECONOMIC CLUB OF KANSAS CITY.OCTOBER 29, 2024 - A 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRUMAN PRESIDENCY BOOK EVENT WITH DAVID ROLL DISCUSSING HIS BOOK "ASCENT TO POWER: HOW TRUMAN EMERGED FROM ROOSEVELT'S SHADOW AND REMADE THE WORLD," IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE KINDER INSTITUTE.NOVEMBER 21, 2024 - THE ANNUAL HOWARD AND VIRGINIA BENNETT FORUM ON THE PRESIDENCY FEATURED POLITICAL COMMENTATORS AND PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIANS NANCY GIBBS AND MICHAEL DUFFY IN CONVERSATION WITH AUTHOR, PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN AND "WASHINGTON POST" COLUMNIST DAVID VON DREHLE DISCUSSING "PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AND THE CHALLENGE OF DEMOCRACY."FEBRUARY 3, 2025 - DISTINGUISHED BOOK EVENT WITH UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER EMERITA NANCY PELOSI DISCUSSING HER BOOK "THE ART OF POWER: MY STORY AS THE FIRST WOMAN SPEAKER OF HOUSE."MARCH 4, 2025 - A SPECIAL BOOK EVENT WITH AUTHOR MERYL GORDON DISCUSSING HER BOOK "THE WOMAN WHO KNEW EVERYONE: THE POWER OF PERLE MESTA, WASHINGTON'S MOST FAMOUS HOSTESS."MARCH 31, 2025 - FOURTH INSTALLMENT OF THE WOMEN RISING SERIES FEATURED RETIRED AIR FORCE COLONEL ERIES L.G. MENTZER TELLING THE STORY OF THE TRAILBLAIZING WOMEN OF THE WORLD WAR II 6888TH CENTRAL DIRECTORY POSTAL BATALION - A MOSTLY BLACK UNIT THAT LABELED, SORTED, AND CLEARED MILLIONS OF PIECES OF STOCKPILED MAIL IN 1945.APRIL 24, 2025 - WILD ABOUT HARRY GALA FEATURING KEYNOTE SPEAKERS MELISSA FITZGERALD AND MARY MCCORMACK (CO-AUTHORS AND "THE WEST WING" CAST MEMBERS) DISCUSSING THEIR BOOK "WHAT'S NEXT: A BACKSTAGE PASS TO THE WEST WING," IN CONVERSATION WITH KEVIN WALLING. THE HONORABLE KATHLEEN SEBELIUS WAS THE HARRY S. TRUMAN LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP HONOREE.MAY 6, 2025 - A 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRUMAN PRESIDENCY BOOK EVENT WITH AUTHOR ROBERT M. EDSEL DISCUSSING HIS BOOK "REMEMBER US: AMERICAN SACRIFICE, DUTCH FREEDOM, AND A FOREVER PROMISE FORGED IN WORLD WAR II," IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RAINY DAY BOOKS. MAY 22, 2025 - "FREEDOM TO SERVE," A 75TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION FEATURING PANELISTS RETIRED U.S. ARMY GENERAL DONALD SCOTT, RETIRED U.S. AIR FORCE CHIEF JOANNE BASS, RETIRED U.S. ARMY COLONEL EDNA CUMMINGS, RETIRED AIR FORCE COLONEL ERIES L.G. MENTZER, MODERTED BY DAVID VON DREHLE DISCUSSING THE GROUNDBREAKING REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PRESIDENT TRUMAN'S EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981. JUNE 12, 2025 - MEMBERS NIGHT WITH MARK UPDEGROVE, CEO AND PRESIDENT OF THE LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON FOUNDATION, DISCUSSING HIS BOOK "MAKE YOUR MARK: LESSONS IN CHARACTER FROM SEVEN PRESIENTS," AN ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP GUIDE BASED ON CANDID PRESIDENTIAL INTERVIEWS. JULY 14, 2025 - SUMMER TEACHER CONFERENCE SPECIAL BOOK EVENT WITH HISTORIAN LINSDAY CHERVINSKY DISCUSSING HER BOOK "THE CABINET: GEORGE WAHINGTON AND THE CREATION OF AN AMERICAN INSTITUTION."JULY 30, 2025 - 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID ACT WITH CLIFTON TRUMAN DANIEL AND LUCI BAINES JOHNSON DISCUSSING A KEY MILESTONE IN AMERICAN LIFE AND PUBLIC HEALTH. PRESIDENT TRUMAN WAS THE EARLY ADVOCATE FOR NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE, PROPOSING IT IN 1945, BUT IT WAS PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON WHO SIGNED MEDICARE INTO LAW AT THE TRUMAN LIBRARY IN 1965, HONORING TRUMAN BY ENROLLING HIM AS THE FIRST BENEFICIARY AND PRESENTING HIM WITH THE FIRST MEDICARE CARD.AUGUST 14, 2025 - 80TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE BOOK EVENT FEATURING HISTORIAN AND JOURNALIST EVAN THOMAS DISCUSSING HIS BOOK "ROAD TO SURRENDER: THREE MEN AND THE COUNTDOWN TO THE END OF WORLD WAR II." SEPTEMBER 24,2025 - A 75TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION OF THE KOREAN WAR'S INCHON LANDING FEATURING HISTORIANS JOHN MCMANUS AND JASON PARKER DISCUSSING "MACARTHUR'S GAMBLE."DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE REACHED VIA IN-PERSON PROGRAMMING, WEBCASTS, RADIO INTERVIEWS, TELEVISION BROADCASTS, E-NEWS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA INITIATIVES.