Truman Farm: Cultural Landscape Report, Historic Structures Report, and Environmental Assessment, Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, National Park Service

McEnaney, Marla; O'Bright, Al; Jackson, Dan

The Cultural Landscape Report, Historic Structures Report, and Environmental Assessment (CLR/HSR/EA) presents a comprehensive planning document for the historic Truman Farm, located within the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site (HSTR) in Grandview, Missouri. The CLR/HSR/EA identifies characteristics and features that convey the historic significance and character of the Truman Farm, while providing a holistic and integrated plan for the long term preservation of landscape features. The purpose of the report is to provide park managers with a comprehensive understanding of the physical character and evolution of their cultural resources, as well as guidance for management. The project will also help to provide a more cohesive, unified visitor experience. The Harry S. Truman Farm was conveyed from Jackson County, Missouri to the National Park Service in 1993. The approximately 11-acre site had previously been maintained jointly by the Harry S. Truman Farm Foundation and Jackson County. When the foundation and the county purchased the Truman Farm from the Truman family in 1983, a restoration project was begun on the Farm Home to return it to its appearance during Harry S. Truman’s time of residence from 1906 to 1917. The proposed project is currently needed to preserve the historic farm to a condition representative of that time, preserve structures and features that convey its agrarian sense of place, address changes in the surrounding land uses, and accommodate visitors. Treatment recommendation follows a rehabilitation approach that allows for repairs, additions, or alterations to the property. In this way, the project proposes to convey the broad story of Harry S. Truman by showing how the community and farm influenced the future president and, in return, how President Truman influenced the community, the farm, and the nation after his presidency. The contributing features on the farm are in need of varying levels of repair to mitigate conditions and deterioration. The intent of the combined CLR/HSR/EA is to provide an integrated and complete plan for management, address operational needs, provide a rich and authentic visitor experience, and ensure that long term preservation objectives are achieved. The CLR for Truman Farm includes detailed documentation of the farm’s historical development, evaluation of existing conditions, analysis and evaluation of landscape characteristics, and preparation of treatment recommendations. The HSR documents the existing condition and provides an assessment of three contributing buildings on the site: the Truman Farm Home, the Truman Farm Garage, and the Truman Farm Poultry House. The EA evaluates potential effects on environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural resources through the proposed treatment and other possible alternatives. Impact topics specifically addressed include historic structures and cultural landscapes, visual resources, visitor experience, public health and safety, and park operations. General methods include a review of existing literature, interviews with local history experts, and on-site inspection. Primary and secondary documents accessed at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum also contributed to the report. The EA has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the National Historic Preservation Act. The document was a collaborative effort involving individuals from the National Park Service Midwest Regional Office, the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, the State Historic Preservation Office of Missouri, and private contractors. It was funded by the National Park Service for the purpose of guiding management decisions.

Truman Farm: Cultural Landscape Report, Historic Structures Report, and Environmental Assessment, Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, National Park Service

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