View Eclipse from Lawn of the Truman Library

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – View the once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse from the historic grounds Harry S. Truman Library and Museum and see space-related artifacts on display only on Aug. 21.

The Truman Library staff will display two special artifacts in honor of the eclipse:

• Model of the Telstar Satellite at 11 a.m.: The Telstar communications satellite was the first privately funded space vehicle launched in 1962. This model was given to James Webb, the director of NASA during the Telstar launch, whose papers can be found in the Truman Library archives.
• Alan Shepard’s Flags from the Moon at noon: Alan Shepard carried an American flag and Missouri State flag to the moon on board the Apollo 14 lunar expedition in 1971, then gave these flags to Harry Truman along with a handwritten letter expressing his admiration in 1971.

The white glove experiences will include a discussion with a Truman Library staff member who will also take questions from the audience. Both are free with museum admission.

The Truman Library is in the path of totality, where visitors can view the total eclipse for 1 minute 14.9 seconds beginning at 1:08:35 p.m. Visitors are welcome to bring blankets or lawn chairs to view the eclipse from the Library’s vast lawn.

Black and white eclipse cookies will be served free of charge, and the first 250 visitors to the museum will get free eclipse glasses.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
500 W. U.S. Hwy. 24, Independence, Mo. 64050
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free to Truman Library Institute members, $8 ages 15+, $7 adults 65+, $6 students, $3 youth (ages 6-15)

The Truman Library Institute is the member-supported, nonprofit partner of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, one of 14 presidential libraries of the National Archives. The Truman Library Institute draws on President Truman’s legacy to enrich the public understanding of history, the presidency and America’s unique form of government. This mission is achieved through the development and funding of world-class museum exhibits, a robust international research grant program, public forums and nationally acclaimed education programs serving more than 40,000 students and teachers each year. Learn more at TrumanLibraryInstitute.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Lacey Helmig
Director of Communications
Truman Library Institute
816-400-1217
lacey.helmig@TrumanLibraryInstitute.org