Harry S. Truman Little White House: Groundbreaking Presidential History in Gorgeous Key West
Sunny shores. Friendly palm trees waving “hello” in the crisp, sea breeze. Key lime pie. Paradise.
Key West has proven itself, time and again, to be an amazing place to relax, rejuvenate, and get inspired. It’s why writers like Ernest Hemingway and musicians like Jimmy Buffet decided to call this place home during their illustrious careers.
The Harry S. Truman Little White House is a beautiful testament to another famous denizen of Key West. (And I guess the name of the house kind of gives away who that was…LOL!)
President Harry S. Truman spent 175 days of his presidency at the Little White House (spread over the course of 11 visits). While the welcoming atmosphere of Key West no doubt helped to restore Truman’s mind and body, each trip was still considered a “working vacation.”1 Fun in the sun was mingled with tedious meetings and discussion of legislation.
Although Truman had to sacrifice some sightseeing and fishing in order to keep working, it means that Key West got to witness some truly amazing and historic moments. In fact, documents regarding military divisions were outlined while Truman was at the Little White House and thus named the “Key West Agreement!”2
Today, the Harry S. Truman Little White House is no longer a getaway home but a museum, providing wonderful tours that immerse you in the presidential side of Key West. Join not only President Truman, but also other guests of the Little White House like presidents Taft, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter, and Clinton, as you experience what it was like to balance political tensions while vacationing in a tropical paradise.
Harry S. Truman Little White House: Welcome Home!
The Little White House was built in 1890, practically a lifetime before President Truman would ever cross its threshold, but even from its foundation, the little house was meant for big things.
It was constructed “to serve as the naval station’s command headquarters during the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II.”3 For many years the little house was a refuge for naval officers, and even Thomas Edison. However, in 1946, the little house received a visitor who decided to make it his second home.
This was Harry S. Truman, of course.
Having come to leadership as a result of President Roosevelt’s unexpected death, Truman said, “I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me.”4 The decision to drop atomic bombs in Japan in order to end the war suddenly belonged to him. It was now his job to sort out a plan for reconstruction in America. Oh, and dealing with the Cold War in Russia? That was his problem now, too.
Needless to say, if anybody needed a Florida vacay, it was President Truman.
So, in the winter of 1946, he left the grueling climate of Washington (political and weather-related) for a short week in Key West. A carefully kept travel log, full of analytical security detail, also reported in surprisingly beautiful fashion the unfolding of the first day: “An ideal Florida day, warm and bright, dawned on Key West.”5 In fact, practically every day was noted as being “ideal.”
The beauty of Key West was irresistible. Between press conferences and phone calls back to Washington, Truman managed to go swimming, take a tour of Dry Tortugas (as everyone should), and drift off into well-deserved naps in the Little White House.6
He had officially caught the Key West travel bug, an ailment many of us (gladly) suffer from.
If Walls Could Talk
After that first visit, Truman returned to Key West and the Little White House again and again. It was a way to restore himself even as he worked to help restore a war-weary nation.
Some of that national restoration work took place during his vacations. In addition to the Key West Agreement, the walls of the Little White House also heard the preliminary discussions for the Marshall Plan.7 (Is it just me or was the Marshall Plan always the subject of an essay question on history tests?) This plan offered aid to Western Europe in order to bolster damaged economies, secure our nation’s international relations, and also block the spread of communism.8 Historically speaking, it’s kind of a big deal. And the plan was formulated right here in Key West! How cool is that?!
The Little White House was also privy to discussions about the Cold War in Russia, the recognition of Israel, and addressing Civil Rights within our own nation.
In 1949, the Little White House was so firmly established as Truman’s getaway, it was redecorated just for him. Many of these original furnishings can be seen in the house day, giving guests a thoroughly authentic view of how our 33rd president spent his working vacations.9 His last Key West vacation as president lasted an entire month, and he made five post-presidential visits as well.
The Little White House and Key West were ingrained in Truman’s heart, so much so, he declared it to be his second favorite place on earth, only surpassed by his hometown of Independence, Missouri.10 And, although the Little White House has been visited by other presidents…it seems Truman was its favorite person, too.
Harry S. Truman Little White House Tours
Years later the Little White House is still providing people with “ideal days.”
Now a wonderfully preserved museum, the Harry S. Truman Little White House remains Florida’s only presidential site and a true historical treasure. You can explore the many stories held by each room as a knowledgeable tour guide leads you back in time. Consistently garnering five-star reviews on TripAdvisor, the Little White House received a Traveler’s Choice Award in 2021.11
While pretty pricey, your group can opt to go beyond a regular tour and upgrade to the VIP White Glove Experience. This amazing tour gives you access to rooms not seen on the regular tours, complimentary refreshments, photo-ops at Truman’s desk and poker table, access to the archives, and of course, donning those white gloves so you can actually hold presidential artifacts. (Be still my nerdy heart!) To top it all off, you’ll finish the tour by driving off into the Key West sunset in one of Truman’s 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Limousines. Talk about touring in style!
If you’re planning to stop by the Harry S. Truman Little White House (and you are planning to, right?) you’ll want to allow yourself a solid hour or two for the regular guided tour. (The VIP experience is about two and half hours.)
Because it doesn’t take all day, you can easily tour the Little White House and still have time for other Key West adventures! There are plenty more historic sites right around the corner, as well as great places to eat right within reach of this historic getaway. Or, you might just want to take a tip from Truman and go on a relaxing fishing trip.
Regardless of whether or not you are a history buff, a tour of the Harry S. Truman Little White House is thoroughly enjoyable, especially as the passionate tour guides really bring its history to life.
President Truman’s presence can still be felt in the Little White House, and if there is one thing to be learned from his time there, it’s the importance of having a proper work-life balance.
…And the fact that Florida is indisputably the best place to vacation.
Harry S. Truman Fun Fact: Some of you eagle-eyed historians may have noticed my conspicuous use of a period after Truman’s middle initial. The “S” doesn’t stand for anything, and for that reason, Truman didn’t always use punctuation for it. However, when he was informed this was bad grammar, and by extension a bad example to America’s youth, he began to punctuate his middle initial.12 So, too, have I.
Cover Image
Photo: Florida Keys–Public Libraries via Flickr
Recommended Gear for this Adventure
Disclaimer: We earn a commission if you click any of the links above and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
