FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT
Susan Medler
PH 816.268.8245
FAX 816.268.8299
susan.medler@nara.gov

Get a Taste of American History on Presidents’ Day

INDEPENDENCE, MO— Here’s a recipe for a memorable Presidents’ Day: start with a pinch of patriotism and a dash of White House history, then fold in a visit from America’s 33^rd president. On Monday, February 16, 2009, the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum will celebrate Presidents’ Day by serving fresh-baked presidential cookies to visitors, who can meet Harry Truman, as portrayed by historical re-enactor Niel Johnson.

Truman Library volunteers will don their aprons for this favorite annual event, baking selections from the ever-popular Presidential Cookies cookbook. Beginning at 10 a.m., and while they last, visitors will be able to sample recipes spanning three centuries, including…

Brandy Snaps (John Adams)
Black Pepper Cookies (Zachary Taylor)
Charlottes (Millard Fillmore)

Chocolate Macaroons (Benjamin Harrison)
Coconut Balls (Harry Truman)
Chocolate Nut Drop Cookies  (Lyndon Johnson)
Oatmeal-Chocolate Chunk Cookies (George W. Bush)

Shortbread Cookies (Barack Obama)

Cookies will be available until the last pastry is served. All recipes are drawn from Presidential Cookies, a nationwide best seller and a sweet read for history buffs and foodies, alike. More than a cookbook, Presidential Cookies highlights White House anecdotes, historical folklore, and fun facts about treasured American symbols. Presidential Cookies by Bev Young may be purchased in the Museum Store.

From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Harry Truman—portrayed by Niel Johnson—will greet visitors and give occasional press conferences.

Admission, Hours & Additional Information

Now on temporary exhibit is the National Archives exhibition School House to White House: The Education of the Presidents. Permanent exhibits include a replica of President Truman’s Oval Office, The Presidential Years, Life and Times, and Truman’s Working Office, now closed for renovation. Museum admission is free for children 5 and under, $3 for youths 6-15, $8 for adults, and $7 for senior adults 65 and older. To schedule group visits, please call (816) 268-8221. For all other information, call (800) 833-1225 or visit TrumanLibrary.org.

The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Located at 24 Highway and Delaware in historic Independence, Missouri—just 20 minutes from downtown Kansas City—the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum is one of 13 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.

The Truman Presidential Museum & Library is supported, in part, by the Harry S. Truman Library Institute, the not-for-profit partner of the Truman Library. The Institute seeks to promote, through educational and community programs, a greater appreciation and understanding of American politics, history and culture, the process of governance, and the importance of public service, as exemplified by Harry S. Truman. To learn more, visit TrumanLibrary.org.

Harry and Bess Truman’s Coconut Balls

1 1/2 cup coconut

2/3 cup of condensed milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. almond extract

Dash of salt

Preheat oven to 350. Combine ingredients in a bowl. Mix and form

into small balls. Place the balls on a greased cookie sheet or cover

the sheet with parchment paper. Bake about 15 minutes or until brown.

YIELD: 18 Coconut Balls

Bake a few cookies to check for consistency. Add more coconut if necessary.

Balls should be firm but not sticky.

MORE FEBRUARY EVENTS

At the Truman Library

PUBLIC PROGRAM

“Evolution of the National Security Council”

Dr. D. Robert Worley
Monday, Feb. 2, 2009  6:30 p.m.

Kansas City Public Library | Plaza Branch, Truman Forum

Since its inception under President Truman, the National Security Council has been used to advise and assist the President on national security and foreign policies, and each President has structured the NSC to fit his personal decision-making style. Now, there is sufficient evidence available today to draw conclusions about what works and what doesn't, to predict problems, and to make recommendations to the new administration. D. Robert Worley is a Senior Fellow with the Johns Hopkins University Washington Center for the Study of American Government and previously served as a defense policy analyst at the National Security and Army Research Divisions of Rand.

This program is free and open to the public. The Truman Forum is located at 4801 Main St. in Kansas City, Mo.

ANNUAL BESS TRUMAN BIRTHDAY TEA

“Fabulous First Ladies”

Patricia Krider, National First Ladies Library

Friday, Feb. 13, 2009  2 p.m.

Missouri Auditorium

The Truman Library joins with the Independence Pioneer Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to celebrate the 124^th birthday of First Lady Bess Wallace Truman. Special guest Patricia Krider, executive director of the National First Ladies Library in Canton, Ohio, will inform and amuse us with intimate tales and anecdotes of some of America’s most influential women, as well as discuss the role of First Lady-elect Michelle Obama. The National First Ladies Library houses the world’s only collection dedicated to First Ladies of the United States. Following the program, the DAR will host its annual Bess Truman Birthday Tea for all guests. Free with Museum admission.

PUBLIC PROGRAM

“Love Letters: Harry and Bess”
Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009 11 a.m.
Francis Families Theater

Ninety years ago, Harry Truman married his childhood sweetheart, Bess Wallace. On Valentine's Day, join Truman Library archivist Tammy Kelly in the Museum, where she will share Truman letters and photographs to illustrate the couple's lifelong relationship. Free with Museum admission.

PRESIDENTS’ DAY

Monday, Feb. 16, 2009

Meet Harry S. Truman, as portrayed by historian and re-enactor Niel Johnson, and sample treats from the Presidential Cookies cookbook, baked and served by Museum volunteers.

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