Latest Information on Commercial Filming Permits
For the latest information on "Commercial Filming" permits in the NPS, please click on this link, which will take you to the National Park Service's page explaining the latest guidance:Filming & Still Photographs (updated October 28, 2022)
Tickets for a tour of the Truman Home are available at the park's visitor center, at 223 North Main Street in beautiful Independence, Missouri. They are first come, first served. NO RESERVATIONS ARE MADE FOR GROUPS.
Do you have a request for a special use of Harry S Truman National Historic Site?
Harry S Truman National Historic Site's mission is that of the National Park Service (NPS) as written in the Organic Act of 1916, which states in part: “The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations.” derogation of the values and purposes For more, up to date, information on commercial filming permits on park lands, as a result of the Federal court case Price v. Barr (Price v. Garland), click here. (Updated October 28, 2022) using this link . Please read the information below.
A special park use is defined as an activity that takes place in a park area and that:
provides a benefit to an individual, group or organization rather than the public at large;
requires written authorization and some degree of management control from the National Park Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest;
is not prohibited by law or regulation;
is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the National Park Service (NPS); and
is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease;
is a short term activity.
The National Park Service may permit a special park use if the proposed activity will not:
cause injury, damage or impairments to park resources;
be contrary to the park’s purpose for which the park was established and the mission of the NPS;
unreasonably impair the atmosphere of peace and tranquility maintained in wilderness, natural, historic, or commemorative locations within the park; or
interfere with visitor use, access, and programs
interfere with park management or administration;
interfere with concession operations or other public facilities;
present a clear and present danger to public health and safety.
Requesting a Special Use Permit For a Special Event
Requests for special use permits for events should be made by submitting an application at least 30 days prior to the date of the planned event. More advance notice is recommended. There is a non-refundable fee for processing your application for a special use permit. Please return the application form to request a permit as soon as possible. All questions should be answered as accurately and completely as possible. This will assist the park in determining the appropriateness of the planned activities and help to estimate NPS costs that may be incurred in managing, facilitating, or supporting the use. Submission of the application form and fee payment does not imply permission for any special use or event. Please see below for information to apply for each unit..
Special Events Special events are activities, such as organizational special events, religious gatherings, ceremonies, large group activity camps or rendezvous, and encampments.
There is a meaningful association between park and the event;
The observance contributes to visitor understanding of the significance of the park; and
The NPS will not permit the public staging of special events that are conducted primarily for the material or financial benefit of the organizers or participants, or which involve commercialization of in-park advertising or publicity.
A permit has been issued by the superintendent.
Cost Recovery
Fees charged for administering a permit may include the following:
Personnel (staffing) costs
Materials and supplies
Official travel
Compliance All permit activities must meet both National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 106 (National Historic Preservation Act) requirements and go through an environmental screening process. Compliance may add extra time to processing the permit.
Utilities and overhead
Compliance requirements
Vehicle and equipment use
Training
First Amendment Activity First Amendment activities include freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly. All of these are constitutional rights. However, the courts have recognized that activities and rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources. A small group, defined as "25 people or less," is NOT required to obtain a First Amendment permit if it is located within a park designated site and have no more than leaflets, booklets and/or hand held signs. A permit is required for any small group that: wants to hold a demonstration or distribute and/or sell printed matter somewhere outside a designated First Amendment area; wants to use equipment (i.e. tables, banners, platforms, etc) even if it is within the designated area; is merely an extension of another group already availing itself of the 25 person maximum; wants to guarantee they will have priority for the use of a location, including the designated First Amendment areas. A large group, defined as "more than 25 people," IS required to obtain a First Amendment Permit even if it is utilizing a park designated First Amendment site. For all First Amendment events send in the special use permit that corresponds to the location you wish to utilize. There are no fees associated with First Amendment permits. At present, the park's designated First Amendment area in Independence, at the Truman Home, is a space just south of the Truman Home. In Grandview, at the Truman Farm, the First Amendment area is on the south side of the parking lot.
