The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home is the presidential library and museum of Dwight David Eisenhower, the 34th president 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).

History

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.

Eisenhower Foundation

As World War II came to an end, local admirers of the Supreme Commander of Allied forces in Europe, such as Charles L. Brainard, decided to honor Eisenhower with a museum. In 1945, a non-profit foundation in his name was created to purchase his boyhood home and build the museum on the same property. It was to house artifacts from veterans, and the honors of Eisenhower in particular. At the time, the General's mother Ida was still alive and refused to sell the property. When she died in 1946, another purchase attempt was made. However, the fund-raising tactics of the foundation offended Eisenhower, and this almost scuttled the project. New fundraising rules were established for the Foundation after its discussion with Ike's youngest brother Milton, and agreement by all the Eisenhower brothers.

Construction of the museum

Mrs. Eisenhower's home opened to the public as a museum on June 22, 1947.

Construction and dedication of the library

With the fundraising constraints on the foundation still in place in 1954, the Kansas Legislature took up the slack, authorizing a separate "Eisenhower Presidential Library Commission," and over the next five years enough money was raised to begin construction. Again, President Eisenhower was present when ground was broken on October 13, 1959. The project took three years to complete, and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson joined the retired President Eisenhower at the dedication on May 1, 1962.

  • 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.

<gallery mode=packed>

EisenhowerCenterGrounds060708a.JPG|Grounds as seen from approach to place of meditation

Eisenhower House.jpg|Front of Eisenhower boyhood home, southwest corner

EisenhowerHome1.jpg|Southeast corner of boyhood home

Eisenhower Statue Abilene Kansas.jpg|Eisenhower statue in "Champion of Peace" circle, with memorial pylons in background

Defense.gov photo essay 100508-D-7203C-007.jpg|Inside Museum lobby; Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Army Capt. Josh Mantz, 2010

Defense.gov photo essay 100508-D-7203C-005.jpg|Museum tour; Secretary Gates and Museum Director Karl Weissenbach, 2010

Eisenhower Resting Place.jpg|View from entry corridor of "Place of Meditation"

DDEisenhowerGrave3.jpg|Graves of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Doud Dwight Eisenhower and Mamie Eisenhower

DDEisenhowerGrave.jpg|Grave of Dwight D. Eisenhower

</gallery>

See also

  • Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport
  • Presidential memorials in the United States
  • List of residences of presidents of the United States
  • List of burial places of presidents and vice presidents of the United States

References

  • Official site of the Eisenhower Library, Museum and Boyhood Home
  • The Eisenhower Foundation (Kansas) website
  • "Life Portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower", from C-SPAN's American Presidents: Life Portraits, broadcast from the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, October 25, 1999