Truman's Little White House - Truman's Little White HouseTruman's Little White House is named for President Harry Truman, who first set foot here in 1946. Truman loved this spot, probably more so than any other US leader who had spent time here, and visited ten times during his presidency. It wasn't built for him and other presidents spent time here as well, but his love for the Little White House and for the city of Key West have placed his name permanently on this historic building on the waterfront in Key West. The Little White House was built in 1890 to be the dwelling of the Naval Commandant. It has been preserved, however, as Truman's vacation spot, and if you take the tour of the house, you'll see Truman memorabilia, hear Truman anecdotes, and learn Truman trivia. You'll be ushered into Truman's bedroom and his wife, Bess's bedroom. You'll see the specially made poker table wehre Truman loved to sit and play for hours. You'll see his desk, his piano, and the 1950's era furniture he must have used while vacationing here during his administration. Depending on who your tourguide is, you might also hear a little bit of Truman politics, but we're all here for a nice pleasant tour, so don't take it too seriously, folks! Yes, it's all about Truman here, and a tour of the Little White House isn't just a tour of a lovely historic house in Key West, it's a tour of the vacationing history of Harry Truman as well. Truman's Little White House is on the western end of Key West, which is also where most of the action is, and where the city center was located during the 1950s. Truman loved to walk from his home to Old Town and stroll around spending dollar bills which he had autographed ahead of time. There was a place in town which made coconut cake for him when they knew he was coming, since it was his favorite. Truman loved to swim in the ocean just in front of the Little White House, really Key West Harbour but the ocean is just around the corner. Apparently with wastewater technology back then, you had to alert the household of tour intentions to swim, so that nobody would send an unwanted flush out to swim with you! He had a little beach set up, too and of course he spent lots of time here as well, pondering the nation's fate and his giant role in the history of our country. The house itself is wrapped in porches and old-style louvered shutters, and surrounded by trees. The grounds are part of Truman Annex, which was Navy property for about fifty years until much of it was sold off for pricey homes and condos in the mid-1980s. In fact, Truman's Little White House is nestled in a neighborhoody little block of homes in Truman Annex, with a little white sign out front which is much less obtrusive than many garage sale signs you might encounter in other neighborhoods (but certainly not this one!). It's not even really clear where the entrance is, or what the place is really about unless you walk insde the side door at the gift shop entrance and talk to the person at the register. The gift shop of course has lots of Truman books and some good retro postcards. You can buy your tour tickets here (currently ten dollars a head). You can also buy a combo ticket and save a little if you plan on visiting a few other attractions in Key West. The tour itself is fun, factual, and often whimsical, again depending on who your tourguide is. The groups are small, since the house is small, and you'll be climbing some stairs to the bedrooms. The living room is especially interesting, with its unique poker table and retro style bar (of course it wasn't retro at the time it was built and used...it was modern and fashionable). There are restrooms for tour-takers, so just ask at the register where you bought your tickets. You will be handed a key and told to exit the giftshop and go around the corner to the back of the house (which is actually the side that faces the street) where you'll see two doors (steps leading up the the doors). From Truman's Little White House, stroll the steets around Truman Annex and witness the ultimate gated community, almost DIsney-like in its picture-perfection and spotless picket fence style. The homes here are historical and have been renovated, kept up, and beautified with ultimate detail and precision, so if you're into architecture, bring your camera. This neighborhood is spotless, perfect, beautiful and oh yes, unreal! |
