Dwight David Eisenhower was born in Denison TX October 14, 1891. His family moved to Abilene KS when he was a young child. He was one of six sons.This was Eisenhower’s high school desk.This museum is very well organized and laid out, and is extremely detailed. Rather than me explaining the different stages in Eisenhower’s life and career, I will let the display signs do the job in chronological order. You can see how step-by-step he was prepared for the job he did in World War II.Map of the world during World War II, showing the daunting challenge the US and Allies faced.War bonds poster.This the actual table General Eisenhower used to plan the Normandy invasion.This 1942 Cadillac Fleetwood was used by General Eisenhower during and after the war.Ike’s leather map case, 5-star general’s automobile flag, map case full of maps, binoculars, General of the Army Commission, and his General of the Army uniform.Ike ran for president and won in 1952. As our 34th president, he served two terms, 1953-1961. (He was president when I was born).First Lady Mamie Eisenhower set American fashion trends in the 1950s, the “Mamie Look”.The Eisenhowers’ White House china.As president, Eisenhower faced critical new issues.President Eisenhower meeting Soviet Union Premier Nikita Kruschev.ARPA (predecessor to DARPA) was established by President Eisenhower.Civil Rights for African-Americans advanced during President Eisenhower’s term. The Supreme Court invalidated segregation in the schools in 1954, and the Civil Rights Act of 1957 was enacted. He also sent the National Guard to enforce desegregation at Central High School in Little Rock AR in 1957, in direct opposition to Arkansas governor Orval Faubus, who tried to keep the African-American students out of the school.American lifestyle in the 1950s.A most prescient warning from President Eisenhower in his farewell. Too bad the country didn’t heed his advice.President Eisenhower died March 28, 1969 in Washington DC. He had been living at his farm in Gettysburg PA.President Dwight and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower are buried in Abilene KS in the Meditation Chapel on the museum grounds.
After seeing all the cherry trees for the Cherry Blossom Festival, we had time to walk over to the FDR Memorial.FDR and his dog Fala.FDR was paralyzed by Polio.First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.Soup lines during the Great DepressionGreat DepressionListening to FDR’s “Fireside Chats”.FDR Funeral
President Ulysses Grant, our 18th president, from 1869-1877, lived in this house with his wife Julia after he retired from the army (before the Civil War). He lived here before and after the war. After he left the presidency, he lived in New York City.The house is open for public tours, but we were there early and it was not open yet.Belvedere Mansion, built in 1857, considered the finest mansion in Galena. (Nothing to do with Grant, but it is significant to Galena IL).
This is the birthplace of President Herbert Hoover, our 31st president, from 1929-1933. He was born here in 1874.In this two room house lived Herbert’s parents and three children! Tight quarters!Rear of the house.Their bathroom.Hoover’s father was a blacksmith.The little box beside the brick chimney says “Seat for boys Tad-Bertie”. Bertie was the future president.Hoover attended this schoolhouse.Teacher’s desk.Penmanship workbook – an obsolete school subject.Student’s desk and books.The Friends (Quaker) Meeting House. Hoover was raised Quaker.Men sat on the right side of the partition.Women sat on the left side, with access to the cry room.The cry room.Unfortunately the Presidential Museum was closed due to COVID fear.The museum campus is very park-like.The graves of President Herbert and First Lady Lou Hoover.
Mt. Roosevelt, named for President Theodore Roosevelt.The Friendship Tower Mount Roosevelt Memorial.Deadwood resident Seth Bullock met the 26-year-old Theodore Roosevelt in 1884, shortly after Roosevelt moved out west. They became lifelong friends. When Roosevelt died in January 1919, Bullock commissioned this monument which was completed in July 1919. Bullock died in September 1919, and is buried in Deadwood’s Mt. Moriah cemetery on a high hill that had an unimpeded view of Mt. Roosevelt. If you ever have a chance, the story of their friendship is a pretty neat read.Not that many steps, but they are narrow and pretty steep.Views of the Black Hills from the top of the tower.Beautiful aspen trees.
