Independence, Missouri: Perfect for grandparents and grandchildren

I have been fortunate enough to travel with my grandchildren, Bradley and Maris Wasser to London, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska and Florida just to name a few places. However, I am intrigued by a truly American destination and birthplace of former President Harry S. Truman, Independence, Missouri. I am told that Independence has a wealth of interesting and unusual kid and senior-friendly sites and attractions and some amazing opportunities to brush up on your American history.

The younger set will be enthralled by a visit to the Puppetry Arts Institute, a unique place that has hundreds of puppets on display and many hands-on-activities. Puppets of all kinds and from many countries are on display, including the infamous Punch and Judy, and hundreds from the world famous manufacturer/collector Hazelle Rollins of Kansas City.

The highlight is the chance to choose a puppet head from the collection of the Rollins Puppet Factory, paint and costume the puppet and then perform an improvised show on stage. Children up to age 12 will also enjoy the Children’s Peace Children attraction at the Community of Christ Auditorium. Children can spend hours doing puzzles, climb through a “nature” cave, make rubbings, weaving and acting out peaceful ways to resolve conflicts with puppets.

There’s the opportunity to get into the excitement of the old west and pioneer era at the National Frontier Trails Museum, which is dedicated to the California, Santa Fe and Oregon migration trails. Displays focus on Lewis and Clark and mountain men who blazed the western trail. Kids can also participate in a “pack your wagon” or “pack your saddle” activity and in good weather, take a covered wagon ride.

On the famous Independence Square, you can take a fascinating tour of the 1859 Jail and Marshal’s Home. When you see the gloomy two-foot thick limestone walls and heavily grated walls and sit in the cells, you realize you’re in the same place that housed famous outlaws like Frank James and Civil War guerillas like Quantrill’s raiders. There is an adjoining museum that has authentic weapons, clothing, photos and other artifacts from the 1800s. Tours are also available of the marshal’s home and the old-fashioned schoolhouse.

Right across the street from the jail is the famous Clinton Drug Store, where teenager Harry Truman had his first job sweeping floors and dusting displays. You can’t miss going in and sitting on a stool at the old fashioned soda counter and enjoy a homemade hand-dipped waffle ice cream cone. Right outside the store, you can hitch a ride on covered wagon with the Pioneer Trails Adventure for a narrated historic tour of Civil War battlefields and stories of Wild Bill Hickok in a shootout at the local saloon.

Your visit would not be complete without a stop at The Harry S. Truman Museum and Library. The museum has just undergone an extensive renovation and now has many audio-visual exhibits where grandchildren and grandparents can listen and view footage of famous events side by side. I guess this must have been a forerunner to the current new electronic voting machines because young and old also have the chance to cast votes “electronically” in one of the two “interactive” decision theatres.

The permanent “Life and Times of Harry S. Truman” focuses on the personal side of the former president and his family. Children can make and keep campaign buttons, dress up like Harry, Bess or Margaret in period clothes, deliver letters as they pretend to be postmaster like Harry was or compete in a race to see who can reach Bess’ home first in Independence from the Grandview Farm. This is also where Harry stayed during their courtship.

Of course don’t miss the Truman Home, located at 219 North Delaware Street, it is a National Park Historic site, and was also known as the Summer White House. The white two-story Victorian home is just as the Truman’s furnished it, down to Harry’s hat, coat and cane still hanging in the entry way as left them.

Independence’s close proximity to Kansas City makes it conducive for the sports enthusiast to see either the Kansas City Royals baseball team, Kansas City Wizards basketball team or the football Kansas City Chiefs at the Truman Sports Complex. The Missouri Maverick professional hockey team and Missouri Comets indoor soccer team play at the Independence Events Center, which also offers community ice-skating and big name live concerts and family friendly entertainment year round.

Independence is just minutes east of the Kansas City International Airport which makes it conducive to fly to and easy to reach. For a chance to reconnect with American History with your grandchildren, young and old, Independence would be an ideal destination. To get more information and assistance with planning your trip, contact Independence Tourism at 1-800-748-7323 or visit their website, www.visitindependence.com

Copyright Marcia Abramson

E-mail: mascribe@aol.com