Presidential libraries

Color lithograph of the Thomas Hart Benton mural "Independence and the Opening of the West," which is in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. This lithograph is in a folder which was given out at the 77th birthday celebration of HST on May 8, 1961. The lithograph has been signed by Harry S. Truman and Thomas H. Benton. Original oversize lithograph is in oversize file. See also 2007-242. Reproduction of images of works by Thomas Hart Benton must be approved by VAGA.

President Lyndon B. Johnson chose the Harry S. Truman Library as the site for the signing of the Medicare Act in order to honor former President Harry S. Truman, who he dubbed the father of the Medicare concept. Dignitaries who attended the ceremony are shown on the auditorium stage. Left to right: Unidentified man (back to camera), Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, President Lyndon B. Johnson, Bess Truman, Harry S. Truman. This print is a wonderful 11 X 14 black and white photo.

Thomas Hart Benton (right) and former President Harry S. Truman (left) pose in front of the mural painted by Benton in the lobby of the Truman Library, entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Thomas Hart Benton at work on the lower part of his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The mural is titled "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Thomas Hart Benton at work on the lower part of his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The mural is titled "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Color view of the mural by Thomas Hart Benton, \"Independence and the Opening of the West\"" in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. Permission to publish an image of the mural must be obtained from VAGA. "

Former President Harry S. Truman (left) and painter Thomas Hart Benton stand in front of Mr. Benton's mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West", in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. They are attending the dedication of the mural.

Artist Thomas Hart Benton (right), standing on scaffolding, working on his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The mural is entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West".

A completed section of the mural painted by Thomas Hart Benton for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The title of the work is "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Artist Thomas Hart Benton (right) and an unidentified associate on scaffolding, working on his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The mural is entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West".