Congressman Cleaver secures nearly $2.4 million for Truman Historic sites in Independence and Grandview

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II announced that he won final approval of funding requests for the National Parks Service in Independence, Missouri for two significant projects. The funding becomes law as part of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations conference report (H.R. 2996) which passed both chambers yesterday and will be signed by the President tomorrow. The bill allocates $1.018 million for renovating and adding interpretative exhibits to the Noland House across from the Truman Home in Independence and $1.3 million for land acquisition at the Truman farmstead in Grandview. Both projects are part of the Harry S Truman National Historic Site.  

“I am so pleased to announce these funds that will further the great work already being done at the Truman National Historic Sites in Missouri’s Fifth District. It is my great honor to represent the home of one of America’s greatest Presidents and these funds will help continue to tell his story. Particularly at this point in our nation’s history, we need to be listening to the lessons taught to us by President Truman. Students and statesmen alike are wise to learn from his example,” said Congressman Cleaver, II.

“The National Parks Service takes great pride in preserving the legacy of President Truman though this National Historic Site,” said Parks Service Superintendent Larry Villalva. “These funds will go a long way toward helping to share President Truman’s life and lessons for generations to come. The renovations will also provide a much needed comfort station for visitors. We deeply appreciate the efforts of Congressman Cleaver and his commitment to one of America’s great treasures, Harry S Truman.”

The Noland Home located at 216 North Delaware Street in Independence is where Harry Truman's aunt and her family resided. The home sits across the street from the home of Bess Wallace and her family, which later would become the Truman residence. It was through this proximity that Harry Truman met his wife Bess. Their courtship and marriage has become one of the great personal stories of the Presidency.

This funding will restore the Noland Home and install exhibits which address the influence that Truman’s neighborhood connections had on the development of his character.

The exhibits would also present the Harry S Truman National Historic Landmark (NHL) District, of which the Noland and Truman Homes are a part, and emphasize the importance of the NHL District's continued preservation. The exhibits component will be funded by private contributions and is not part of the construction project.

The $1.3 million secured for the Truman farm will allow the National Parks Service to acquire part of the original farmstead. Acquisition would enable the park to share another dimension of the Truman story and helps preserve the historic integrity of the site by removing non-historic facilities and relocating and upgrading visitor and support services. The farm provides the discussion of Truman’s life on the farm, his courtship period with Bess Wallace, and his character building experiences in Grandview that led to his decisions made as President.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, House Homeland Security Committee and the Speaker’s Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Congressman Cleaver also serves as a Regional Whip of the Democratic Caucus and First Vice-Chair-elect of the Congressional Black Caucus.