KEY WEST, Florida Keys — During his 1945-1953 administration, former President Harry S. Truman spent 11 working vacations at a comfortable two-story residence on Key West’s Navy base that became known as his Little White House. Friday and Saturday, May 14 and 15, the Truman Legacy Symposium is to be held there and at other island locations.
The annual symposium examines facets of the 33rd president’s legacy through insights from scholars, Truman descendents and colleagues.
The 2010 event is titled “The Legacy of Harry S. Truman in East Asia: Japan, China and the Two Koreas.” Presented by scholars from Asia, Europe and the United States, sessions are to focus on the Truman administration following World War II and its struggles to create a new geopolitical balance in eastern Asia.
The symposium begins Friday, May 14, with a 6:30 p.m. reception on the grounds of the Little White House, 111 Front St., Florida’s only presidential museum.
The reception is to feature remarks from Truman grandson Clifton Truman Daniel and Little White House Executive Director Robert Wolz, and an interview with Truman’s former White House assistant Ken Hechler about the late president’s relationship with Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
VIP tours of the Little White House are to follow. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the house has been carefully restored to its Truman-era appearance.
The following day, the symposium is to start with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the Marriot Key West Beachside Hotel, 3841 N. Roosevelt Blvd.
Presenters include Korean War expert James Matray of California State University at Chico, Sayuri Shimizu of Michigan State University, Chen Jian of Cornell University and Steven Casey of the London School of Economics and Political Science.
A post-presentation luncheon is set for 2 p.m. at the hotel.
Cost for the symposium is $125 per person and includes the Friday night reception and Saturday lunch. An a la carte menu of activities also is available.
For more information including registration, visit www.trumansymposium.com or call Key West’s Little White House at 305-294-9911.
For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539) or visit the Florida Keys & Key West website at www.fla-keys.com.
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