The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home is the presidential library and museum of Dwight David Eisenhower, the 34thPresident of the United States (1953–1961), located in his hometown of Abilene, Kansas. The museum includes Eisenhower's boyhood home where he lived from 1898 until being appointed to West Point in 1911, and is also the president's final resting place. It is one of the thirteen presidential libraries under the auspices of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
The Eisenhower Presidential complex is only one of two whose creation preceded the close of a presidency, and while this is obviously the case with his boyhood home, construction of the library itself began in 1958, and the museum portion before he even took office, coinciding with the then-General's announcement of his presidential candidacy in June 1952.
The campus has five buildings:
The Library
The Museum, restored and rededicated in 1971.
Visitors Center, containing a gift shop and theater where a short film on the President is shown several times daily
Boyhood home
A Chapel, known as "The Place of Meditation;" the final resting place of the president, the First Lady, and their first-born son, Doud Eisenhower.
Also on the site:
A Statue of General Eisenhower by Robert L. Dean, Jr., presented to the campus by the Harry and Edith Darby Foundation.
Five pylons inscribed with phrases commemorating Eisenhower's life from birth through the Presidency.
Admission to the Visitor Center, Place of Meditation (gravesite), and the archives is free, while admission to the museum is $20 for adults and includes a tour of the Boyhood Home. The complex is open every day except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Coversations/Things we learned:
When we visited this location, the library was closed because of the 2020-21 Covid 19 Pandemic. However, we were still allowed to roam the grounds and enter the chapel. This is a location you go out of your way to visit because history has shown this was a good man and his accomplishment make him one of the top United States Presidents. Those include but are not limited to:
He was the architect of the World War II “D-Day Invasion“ which historians consider a monumental success.
He sponsored and signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957. This was the first such bill since the reconstruction.
He sponsored and signed the Federal Highway Act which created the US Interstate System.
He balanced the US Budget, not once but three times.
He ended the Korean War.
He was President during the Cold War and kept America at peace during all 8 years of his presidency.
Contact information:
Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home 200 SE 4th Street Abilene, Kansas 67410
Phone: (785) 263-6700
Website: https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/
Eisenhower Presidential Library
The Visitor Center
Boyhood Home
General Eisenhower Statue
The Chapel - Eisenhower Resting Place
The Five Pylons
