Category: Presidents

National Presidential Wax Museum

Keystone SD – September 2021

This is a pretty neat museum.
White House Press Room.
George Washington
John Adams, Thomas Jefferson
James Monroe (in the back)
James Madison
Andrew Jackson
Abraham Lincoln
Ulysses Grant (and Robert E. Lee made it to the Presidential Wax Museum!)
Theodore Roosevelt
Calvin Coolidge
Franklin Roosevelt with Churchill and Stalin
Dwight Eisenhower
John F. Kennedy
Ronald Reagan with Gorbachev
Donald Trump

Mt. Rushmore

Keystone SD – September 2021

This is the #1 highlight of the trip for me. I have been wanting to see Mt. Rushmore for so long – and now we have seen it! We arrived in the afternoon so I got pictures with afternoon shadows on the statues. We went back early next morning and the early morning sun gave us excellent pictures!

Our first view of Mt. Rushmore – profile of George Washington!
Avenue of flags.
We made it!
So we went back for the night lighting ceremony.
After telling something about each of the four presidents, and spotlighting each president when they told the stories, they then lit all four. It was pretty cool! Then they had a flag folding ceremony with all the veterans in attendance. Pat’s husband Rolland asked me to represent him, so I went down to the stage and I actually got to be one of the seven who folded the flag! It was pretty special.
Early morning visit.
Beautiful blue sky.
My best shot! This is going on the calendar next year!

President Dwight Eisenhower Sites

Topeka KS – August 2021

In Abilene KS, site of the home that President Dwight D. Eisenhower, our 34th president (1953-1961) grew up in. Eisenhower was born in 1890 in Denison TX, but his family moved here when he was very young. This is also where his and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower’s graves are located.
This is Eisenhower’s boyhood home.
Both graves are inside this chapel on the grounds. The chapel is closed due to COVID fears.
Statue of General Eisenhower. He was a 5-star general, one of only 5 we have had in American history. He was Supreme Commander of Allied forces during World War II. He had to resign his 5-star commission upon becoming president because the president must be a civilian. After he left office, he asked President Kennedy to reinstate his commission, which was granted. The rank of 5 star was very important to him.
The museum was closed due to COVID fear.
The Presidential Library, also closed.
At the end of the lawn are these five plaques, which honor the providence of God and the strong faith and honor of the entire Eisenhower family.

President Harry Truman Sites

Independence MO – August 2021

President Harry and First Lady Bess lived here beginning in 1919 when they were married. It was the “Summer White House” during his presidency 1945-1953. He lived here until he died in 1972. Truman was our 33rd president, from 1945-1953.
President Truman typically used this door to go in and out of the house. His top coat and hat are hanging on the rack inside. The building was closed due to COVID fear, so we could tour only the outside.
This was Truman’s last car – 1972 Chrysler Newport – exactly as it was when he died in 1972.
Bess’s two brothers lived in these houses next door to Truman’s house.
Harry Truman lived here from about 4 to 18 years old.
Harry Truman met Bess Wallace in the First Presbyterian Church in 1892, when he was 8 years old.
Unfortunately the museum was also closed.
The Trumans’ graves are located in a courtyard inside this building.

President Eisenhower’s Farm

Gettysburg PA – August 2021

President Dwight Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower lived on this farm in Gettysburg PA. He was our 34th president, serving 1953-1961. He was president when I was born. My mother watched his inauguration and parade in Washington DC.
This was the landing pad for the presidential helicopter whenever Eisenhower would fly home from Washington.
Gas pumps at the farm.
Check out the gas price per gallon!
The barn.
Ike loved golf, so he had this putting green installed behind the house and barn.
The red flag has 5 stars. Only 5-star generals were allowed to fly this flag.
The barn.
Front of the house. Eisenhower entertained world leaders here. Tours of the house were suspended due to COVID fear.
The rear of the house. Ike loved sitting and entertaining in the sun room and looking out over the vast meadow.
Guest house.
Inside the guest house.