Quite a Shirt, Harry!

Harry Truman was known for his neat appearance. Double-breasted suits, Stetsons and spectator shoes were his trademark. When he became president, his clothing choices were scrutinized by the media, leading him to take greater care when selecting appropriate dress as leader of a nation. He took few risks, except for a few splashy neckties. That is, until he started vacationing in Key West.

The Harry S Truman NHS collection contains sixty-two sport shirts worn by the President while on working vacations in Key West, Florida at what became known as the Little White House. This exhibit explores Truman's adoption of the sport shirt and offers a closer look at the President's personal collection of tropical shirts.

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Stalin, Truman and Churchill at Potsdam Conference, 1945.
Joseph Stalin, Harry Truman and Winston Churchill at the Potsdam Conference, July 1945. Truman wears his usual double breasted suit and bowtie.

US Army Signal Corps

 

EXHIBIT CONTENTS:
History of the Sport Shirt
Dressing for Vacation
Sport Shirt Gallery

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Last updated: April 10, 2015

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

223 North Main Street (Visitor Center/ Truman Home Ticketing Station)
Independence, MO 64050

Phone:

816-254-9929
The park is open to the public Wednesdays-Sundays. The park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Administrative staff work Monday-Friday. For Administration staff, please call (816) 254-2720, Mondays to Fridays, 8AM-4PM. All times central. (We like to call it Truman Time.)

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