BUILDING FUTURE LEADERS
2025-26 EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Welcome to an Extraordinary Year of Learning!
We’re thrilled to be your partner in bringing history to life for your students. As part of the National Archives, the Truman Presidential Library & Museum offers something special—authentic experiences that transform how students understand our nation’s history, government and democratic ideals.
Unlike typical field trips, our programs immerse students in primary sources, allowing them to explore critical decisions and develop historical thinking in a way that textbooks don’t. Each experience is designed to meet state and national standards while igniting curiosity.
This year’s guide outlines our most popular offerings. Whether you’re teaching elementary social studies or AP government, our flexible programs adapt to meet your curriculum needs and learning objectives. Our team stands ready to work with you in designing the perfect experience for your students.
Thank you for choosing the Truman Library as your trusted educational partner. Together, let’s make this a year where your students don’t just learn about democracy—they experience it.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
NOVEMBER 3, 2025
MARCH 7, 2026
JULY 20-24, 2026
MATT REEVES Education Director
Matthew.Reeves@nara.gov 816-268-8203
Applications available January 2026 SAVE THESE DATES
National History Day Workshop
High School Trivia Contest
Greater KC National History Day Contest: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History
Summer Teacher Conference
4 Ways to Kick Off a Year Packed with Transformative Experiences
We Invite You to: We Are:
Tour the award-winning Museum
Experience the nationally acclaimed White House Decision Center
Explore digital resources in your classroom
Engage in professional development opportunities
American History
Government Studies
Literacy Skills
Leadership Opportunities
Real World Application
Team Building
Active Civic Engagement
Connections to Today
Advanced Communications
Critical Thinking Implementation
Geography Skills
Inquiry-Based Programming
Truman History
Hands-On Fun
The Harry S. Truman Library & Museum is one of 17 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration and supported, in part, by the Truman Library Institute, its nonprofit partner.
TrumanLibraryInstitute.org
TrumanLibrary.gov NARA.gov
GUIDED MUSEUM TOURS
Grades K-12 Program Cost: FREE
Students don’t just learn here—they love it here! Designed to engage and excite students, each gallery offers hands-on learning experiences and focuses on our nation’s most dramatic stories, from the Great War and World War II to Civil Rights and the Cold War, offering critical insights into moments that continue to shape our world today.
Our guided school tours are inquiry-based to keep student learning and engagement high. Each tour includes a comprehensive curriculum guide and one adult admission for every 10 students.
Sample themes include:
How did changes in technology influence Truman’s life and presidency? How did Truman’s past prepare him for the presidency and the decisions he made?
How did wars and conflicts affect Truman’s life and presidency?
You can book your tour online or call us at 816-268-8221. We’re here to assist you every step of the way.
THE BUS STOPS HERE!
Your school may qualify for a field trip grant. Learn more on page 13.
« WHITE HOUSE DECISION CENTER
Grades 6-12
Program Cost: $12/student
An exclusive program of experiential and collaborative learning, The White House Decision Center (WHDC) challenges students to step into the roles of President Truman and his advisors to tackle some of the greatest challenges ever faced by a world leader:
Ending the War with Japan
Addressing Postwar Civil Rights
Reacting to the Soviet Blockade of Berlin
Addressing the End of the British Mandate in Palestine
Responding to the Communist Invasion of South Korea
The White House Decision Center can accommodate up to 72 students per session. Program and transportation assistance are available through the “Bus Stops Here” Field Trip Grants.
What Teachers Are Saying:
Students loved the role-playing aspect of this simulation, and taking ownership of their roles helped them to understand the complexities of the historical event.
— Victoria Zonko, Lee’s Summit West High School
The simulation also reinforces the reality that decisions at the executive level rarely have simple answers…It is simply one of the best experiential learning activities anywhere, and it is here in the Midwest, in Independence, Missouri.
— Valerie Schrag, Lawrence High School
The WHDC is truly a life changer for my 8th grade students, enticing their interest in delving deeper into civics and desiring to have an active role in government! The numerous life lessons students learn is remarkable and beneficial to their own decision making in a vast variety of ways.
— Nancy Ohmart, New Heights Christian Academy
New to the WHDC? Check out this video!
Learners Become Leaders at The
White House Decision Center
Grounded in historical documents, The WHDC provides a setting to practice historical methods, including:
Primary source analysis
Comparing and contrasting points of view
Group cooperation and communication
Synthesizing complex information
Speech writing and public speaking
Crafting evidence-based solutions for a complex problem
All simulations align with Missouri and Kansas curriculum standards in government, history, English Language Arts (ELA) and geography.
Book
Your WHDC Sessions Today!
WHDC Director Dr. Matt Reeves
Email TheWhiteHouseDecisionCenter@gmail.com
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY
Greater Kansas City National History Day Program Grades 6-12 Program Cost: FREE
2026 Theme: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History
The Truman Library is your partner for all things National History Day, from preliminary workshops to advanced training for national champions. Please contact us for resources, sample student entries and workshops to help your students.
NHD Workshop: September 30, 2025
NHD Regional Contest: March 7, 2026
« HIGH SCHOOL TRIVIA CONTEST
Grades 9-12 Registration Fee: FREE November 3, 2025, 6:00-7:30 PM
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum
Contact Matthew.Reeves@nara.gov to register your six-student team!
What Students and Teachers Are Saying:
NHD has changed the way my students approach history!
A life-changing experience.
It creates a young generation of historians who are going to go out and make a difference in our world.
It’s such a cool experience to be surrounded by so many people who love history!
It fostered an interest in history I didn’t know I had!
Learn more about National History Day!
Join us for an epic night of intense battles and fierce matchups down to the last round! Kansas and Missouri students flex their brains each fall for honor and prizes in the Truman Library’s High School Trivia Contest. Join us for the 2025 challenge and a night of guaranteed trivia fun!
SUMMER TEACHER CONFERENCE
July 20-24, 2026
America 250
Registration opens January 2026
Reinvigorate your classroom teaching by learning with like-minded colleagues from across the United States! Hosted every summer, the Truman Library Teacher Conference is a five-day professional development workshop designed to help teachers create a deeper understanding of content knowledge, strengthen classroom best practices and connect historical relevance. Open to K-12 classroom teachers, this workshop also features sessions with education teams from various presidential libraries and sites. This fantastic week includes complimentary breakfast and lunch daily, and teachers from outside the Kansas City metropolitan area are provided a free private hotel room for five nights. Applications available January 2026. Space is limited. Apply early!
More Professional Learning Opportunities
Onsite Professional Development
Our team of educators is available to make school-based presentations on historical inquiry methods, original source materials and Truman-era content. Or, let us customize a session to meet your needs!
White House Decision Center Workshops
Let the White House Decision Center host your professional development! Step into President Truman’s West Wing with your colleagues to examine how experiential learning, role-playing and primary sources can be combined to elevate your instructional practice.
Schedule your session today! Contact Matthew Reeves, Education Director, Matthew.Reeves@nara.gov
Sign up for our Educator Newsletter to stay updated about the Summer Teacher Conference and all professional development opportunities!
FIELD TRIP GRANTS
As a leading institution in museum education, the Truman Library Institute is proud to offer our “The Bus Stops Here” Field Trip Grant Program. To encourage and support field trips, this program increases access by underwriting museum admission and White House Decision Center fees, as well as bus and substitute teacher expenses for qualifying schools. To learn more, contact Matthew.Reeves@nara.gov
THE BUS STOPS HERE!
TRU Education programs are made possible by the Truman Library Institute and generous donations from our Community Partners in Education:
Ann Baum - G. Kenneth and Ann Baum
Philanthropic Fund
Merilyn and Dr. Loren Berenbom
Katherine and J.R. Berger
Bonnie and Herb Buchbinder
Stanley J. Bushman and Ann Canfield
Brig. General Jack L. Capps, USA (Ret.)
Cindy and Marty Cavanah
JE Dunn Construction Company
Duration Capital Partners
Ellen Farrior
Gattermeir Family Foundation
KC Needlepoint
Dr. Mordecai Kopperman
Jan and Tom Kreamer
Bridget McCandless, M.D. and Dennis Taylor
Madeleine McDonough and Cyd Slayton
Oppenstein Brothers FoundationCommerce Bank, Trustee
Karen and Steven Pack
Alan and Myra Rosenberg Charitable Fund
Sherman Family Foundation
The Sosland Foundation
Ursula Terrasi and Jim Miller
Mrs. John D. Turner
Laura Welch Foundation
STUDENT PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE
TRU Education programs are not limited to history. Many offer cross-curricular combinations of History (H), Civics (C), English/Language Arts (ELA) and
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Digital Resources
Explore the life and times of Truman without leaving your school. Visit TrumanLibrary.gov/education.
Online Source Collections
Utilize our vast collections of original documents, photographs, videos, maps, speeches and more!
Student-Ready Resources
Access thematically organized collections of some of the most-requested topics.
Teacher Lesson Plans
Download complete lesson plans created by experienced educators with primary sources and supporting materials on selected topics.
Virtual Exhibits
Membership has its rewards.
Annual Teacher memberships are only $25 and include these year-long benefits:
• Free Museum admission at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum
• Free Museum admission at all Presidential Libraries managed by the National Archives
• Museum Store discounts
• Invitations to Member-only events
• Complimentary subscription to TRU Magazine
• Free or discounted tickets to the annual Howard and Virginia Bennett Forum on the Presidency Sign up for education alerts.
Explore online exhibits created by the National Archives highlighting essential aspects of Truman’s administration. TrumanLibraryInstitute.org/education/virtual-exhibits/ CATCH ALL THE 2025-26 WORKSHOPS, PROGRAM REMINDERS, MUSEUM UPDATES AND MORE. SIGN UP TODAY!
THINK BIG AT THE TRUMAN LIBRARY—WHERE CIVICS AND HISTORY ARE ALIVE!
What Students Are Saying:
The best part of The White House Decision Center was working with friends and deciding together what we should do. We had to be like real advisors, we had to think fast and about only the information we had.
The WHDC wasn’t just about acting out a historical event— it was about understanding how leaders tackle complex issues with limited information and high stakes.
All students everywhere should be able to experience this for themselves.