Truman Memorial Building Community Archiving Day

July 8, 2026

Join the Midwest Genealogy Center and the City of Independence for a special community archiving event.

Saturday, August 8th
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Truman Memorial Building

On Saturday, August 8th at the Truman Memorial Building in Independence, join us in celebrating the rich history of the building as a veterans’ memorial, recreation center, community event space, museum, and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to contribute to the Midwest Genealogy Center’s digital archive by recording oral histories and scanning on-site their photographs, documents, and memorabilia related to this historic venue.

How to Get Involved

This event is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to bring a maximum of 5 items, and all will receive digital copies of their scanned materials on a complementary flash drive, while supplies last. Those who wish to record an oral history about their memories of the Truman Building are encouraged to come anytime during the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. event to sit down with MGC staff and tell their story. Walk-ins are welcome.

If you cheered on a donkey basketball game in the gym, connected with your community at civic organization meetings, visited the National Frontier Trails Museum with your family, or have other memorable experiences at the Truman Memorial Building that you’d like to share, we invite you to come and tell your story! Personal photos and documents from events at the building are very welcome to add to the public archive of the Truman Memorial Building's rich history.

This is a free in-person-only event.

Join us for a related event at the Truman Memorial Building on Saturday, August 1st, celebrating the building’s centennial anniversary. MGC staff will be there to talk about the importance of oral history and demonstrate how to use our Tell Me a Story kits to preserve your stories.

Photos courtesy of the City of Independence and the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

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About the Truman Memorial Building

In 1926, the Truman Memorial building was erected as a tribute to those who had lost their lives in World War I. Without the support and promotion by WWI veteran and former captain of Battery D, Harry S. Truman, the idea of a memorial may have never been realized. Truman led the campaign to have the monument built.

Dedication ceremonies for this Neo-Georgian styled monument were held on July 4, 1926. When the first visitors walked into the memorial, they were greeted by bronze profiles of President Wilson and General Pershing. The foyer took on the form of a museum, displaying WWI artifacts and housing tables displaying the names of fallen soldiers. A discerning visitor would notice that the floor plan resembled a Greek cross.

Over the years, the commemorative building housed offices and meeting rooms for such groups as the local Chamber of Commerce, American War Mothers, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the American Legion. On June 27, 1945, President Truman held a presidential news conference on the basketball court of the Memorial Building. The reason for this press conference was to announce the resignation of Edward R. Slettinius as Secretary of State and his appointment as United States Representative to the United Nations.

After 71 years of serving the community, the Truman Memorial building was in dire need of a facelift. So, in 1997, Mayor Ron Stewart set up a task force to look into renovating the Truman Memorial Building. After gaining local taxpayer support and receiving both state and federal money, the renovations were underway. Once the renovations were complete, the Truman Memorial building was proudly showing its original glory.

The Truman Memorial building has continued to serve the residents of Independence as a center of recreation and a reminder of those Americans who gave their lives for our country.

Courtesy of the City of Independence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Community Archiving Day happening?

In the Veterans Hall at the Truman Memorial Building, located at 416 W Maple Ave, Independence, Missouri.

What is the Midwest Genealogy Center?

The Midwest Genealogy Center, a branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library system, is the largest, free-standing public family history library in the United States. Located in Independence, Missouri, MGC features 52,000 square feet of space in that houses all the free resources needed to research your family history, including millions of materials both online and on-site that span the globe.

What if I cannot attend the event but would like to contribute materials to the digital archives?

The Midwest Genealogy Center will continue accepting contributions from the public through the end of August 2026. If you’re interested in donating items after the event, please contact us at mgc@mymcpl.org or call us at (816) 252-7228 to make arrangements.

What items can I bring to scan?

Please limit your materials to five items — these can be photos, tickets, event programs, or other paper memorabilia related to the Truman Memorial Building. These items cannot exceed 8.5 X 11.7 inches in size. If you have oversized items, please contact us at mgc@mymcpl.org or call us at (816) 252-7228 to discuss options.

Can I have my items scanned without donating them to the Midwest Genealogy Center’s digital archive?

This event is focused on building a digital archive that preserves and shares the history of the Truman Memorial Building. While we understand the personal value of your materials, participation in this event includes contributing digital copies to the archive so they can be made accessible for public research and historical preservation. We appreciate your willingness to help tell the story of this historic building for future generations. To explore more options for digitization, check out the Midwest Genealogy Center’s Memory Lab or Tell Me a Story program.

How will I receive the digital copies of my scanned items?

Each participant will receive the digital copies of their scanned items on a free flash drive provided by the Mid-Continent Public Library, while supplies last. In the event of a supply shortage, a flash drive containing their digitized files will be mailed to participants, free of charge.

Is there any charge for this service?

There are no fees associated with this event.

Are you able to accommodate patrons with a disability?

Yes. The Veterans Hall in the Truman Memorial Building is wheelchair accessible, and there is accessible parking nearby. Please let us know if you need special seating.