There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.
Harry S. Truman
Harry Truman donated his Presidential papers to the American people to be preserved at the Truman Library. He envisioned this Library as a place where people of all ages could study the American Presidency and government. The Library’s collections continue to grow, with new acquisitions regularly added to the holdings. Researchers, curators, educators and others use materials including original documents, artifacts, films, and audio recordings to educate the public about the life and times of Harry Truman and the issues that shaped his presidency.
Today, the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum houses more than:
- 15,000,000 pages of manuscript materials, of which approximately 6,500,000 are White House files
- 100,000 still pictures
- 500+ hours of disc and tape recordings
- 400 motion pictures
- Approximately 500 oral histories
- 75 hours of videotape recordings
- 30,000 books
- 10,000 periodicals
- 1,400 microfilm copies of printed materials
Together, these historic materials document the remarkable life and legacy of President Truman, and some of the most dramatic chapters from our American story.
Explore the Truman Library’s digital archives
Watch highlights from the Truman’s Library’s audiovisual collection on YouTube
