HABS Photo, Jack E. Boucher

Harry and Bess Truman's second floor bedroom.

When Bess Truman passed away in 1982, her will left her home in Independence to the United States of America, with one important stipulation. Mrs. Truman wrote, "During the life of my daughter, the area above the first floor of my residence shall not be available to the public."

Mrs. Truman, concerned for her daughter's privacy, didn't care for having strangers in the private areas of the house. Her will also gave her daughter, Margaret, permission to use the house for one week a year, although Margaret never exercised that right.

Margaret Truman Daniel passed away on January 29, 2008. While Bess Truman's concern for her daughter's privacy is no longer an issue, preservation of the President's home is a paramount concern and the upstairs of the Truman home will remain closed to the public.

Images of the second floor rooms can now be viewed in the image gallery below.