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The Truman Balcony
and the White House Renovation

Objectives

  1. Students will develop an understanding of White House history.

  2. Students will become aware of the importance of the White House to the American people.

  3. Students will become more aware that old buildings can be saved and recycled.


Teaching Suggestions:

  1. Make a bulletin board display using pictures of the White House renovation and the Truman balcony.

  2. Have students bring related material to display which they may have collected on vacation. (White House booklets; Washington, D.C., tour information; post cards; etc.)

  3. Display political cartoons. Have students find current cartoons and discuss their meanings.

  4. Have an architect visit your class to discuss his profession and how the decision is made to destroy or to renovate old buildings.

  5. Discuss renovations in your local area. Debate whether old buildings should be saved. Invite a speaker from a local historical society to discuss restoring and recycling local buildings.

  6. Have students research famous Presidential homes, such as Monticello, Ash Lawn, or Mt. Vernon.

The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum is one of twelve Presidential Libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.

500 W. US Hwy. 24. Independence MO 64050
truman.library@nara.gov;
Phone: 816-268-8200 or 1-800-833-1225;
Fax: 816-268-8295.