INDEPENDENCE, MO-On May 1, 2007, the Truman Presidential Library & Museum will unveil a major new exhibition highlighting the holdings of our nation's 12 presidential libraries. The exhibition-From America's Presidential Libraries: Treasures of the Presidents-is made possible by the generous support of James B. Nutter & Company and runs through Jan. 4, 2008 at the Truman Presidential Library & Museum in Independence, Mo. Treasures of the Presidents is included in Museum admission: $7 adults, $5 seniors, $3 youths 6-18, free for children 5 and younger. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. (open daily, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day). Museum hours will be extended for Bank of America FREE Thursday Nights every Thursday, May through September, 5-9 p.m.

Treasures of the Presidents illuminates the office of the president and features more than 200 rarely seen treasures of our American story, including ornate head-of-state gifts, campaign memorabilia, personal items from First Families, documents that shaped the course of history, video stations, interactive exhibits for the entire family, and much more. From George Washington's portable writing desk to John F. Kennedy's rocking chair, from the pen Lyndon Johnson used to sign the Civil Rights Act to the safety plug of the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, our presidential libraries are home to some of our nation's most fascinating artifacts. Exhibition highlights include:

• A hand-written note by Thomas Jefferson, dated Dec. 29, 1801
• Bullet from the 1933 attempted assassination of Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Overcoat worn by Richard Nixon during his historic trip to China
• Marble baluster from the palace of Saddam Hussein
• George Washington's portable writing desk/secretary
• An original letter from Russian Czar Nicholas II
• FDR's cigarette holder and hat
• Pink pajamas worn by "Millie," the family dog of George and Barbara Bush
• Bill Clinton's saxophone and New Balance running shoes (size 13)
• The Mercury spacecraft umbilical disconnect-John Glenn's last link to earth (1962)

"Each person who walks through this exhibit will find something to excite them," said Clay Bauske, curator for the Truman Library. "People will be impressed by the breadth of the presidential libraries' collections, for we hold not only those items related to the presidents but also those that tell the story of other important events in American and world history."

Treasures of the Presidents may be viewed at the Truman Presidential Library & Museum May 1, 2007 through Jan. 4, 2008. To schedule group tours of this and the permanent exhibits of the Truman Presidential Library & Museum, please call (816) 268-8221. For all other information, call (816) 268-8200 or (800) 833-1225, or visit www.trumanlibrary.org. The Truman Presidential Library & Museum is located at 24 Highway and Delaware in historic Independence, Mo., 20 minutes from downtown Kansas City. There is ample free parking, with numerous nearby attractions (including the Truman Home), boutiques and restaurants.

Sponsors of the Truman Library's 50th Anniversary include James B. Nutter & Co., Missouri Division of Tourism, Bank of America, The Kansas City Star, William T. Kemper Foundation, Edwin W. Pauley Foundation, and Carole and Lu Vaughan.

The Truman Presidential Library & Museum is one of 12 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. Since its dedication in 1957, the Truman Presidential Library & Museum has inspired millions of visitors. With its non-profit partner, the Harry S. Truman Library Institute, the Truman Library seeks to promote a greater appreciation and understanding of American politics, history and culture, the process of governance, and the importance of public service. To learn more about the Truman Presidential Library & Museum and the Harry S. Truman Library Institute, visit www.trumanlibrary.org.

# # #

• Return to News Releases
• Return to the Truman Library