Eisenhower Museum covers military, political careers

A visit to the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum will be heavy on World War II, and a little lighter on Ike’s presidency. The Abilene, Kansas, presidential center includes five attractions of sorts – Dwight Eisenhower’s boyhood home, a visitors center, a meditation place, the presidential museum and the presidential library.

Abilene was the hometown of the 34th American president. Eisenhower was also a five-star general, who commanded allied forces during World War II. He oversaw the D-Day invasion June 6, 1944.

Eisenhower – nicknamed Ike – was the last military general to be elected President. Based on his history, he seemed to be one of the last decent politicians, as well. He governed during a time where compromise was the primary tool of federal legislation.

The Eisenhower Museum is part of a large campus. The five buildings are separated by short walks. The campus is easy to get around. It is a pretty area. It’s larger than the other presidential museums and libraries we’ve visited. The visitors center offers a 24-minute film on Eisenhower’s life, from his childhood to his final rest. It’s not a must-see, but it’s not a waste of 24 minutes, either. The center also sells the admission tickets, as well as souvenirs.

The meditation chapel is home to the Eisenhowers’ final resting places. The president, his wife, Mamie, and their first born son, Doud, are buried inside the chapel. Flags and Eisenhower quotes encircle the trio.

The chapel has a meditation area, with pews and stained glass windows.

His boyhood home was a short visit. But, well worth the 15-20 minutes we were there. You learn about the Eisenhower children’s upbringing, the values their parents instilled and some miscellaneous information. Only the main floor was available during our visit.

The living room furniture and accents all belonged to the family during their time there.

Eisenhower’s father bought the house from an uncle, with the understanding that when the grandfather needed to, he would be allowed to move in with them.

Following the death of their father, the Eisenhower brothers had a woman move in to keep their mother company. They set up twin beds in her room.

Once Ike left home, he enrolled at the West Point Academy. His original goal was to attend the Naval Academy. He excelled at West Point.

He served stateside during World War I, despite his desire and request to serve overseas. The war ended just after he finally received approval to go overseas.

As he advanced in rank, he proved his organizational skills. That made him the perfect choice to serve as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during World War II.

The museum has a large section of World War II memorabilia on display. The amount of Nazi and Axis powers items on display is impressive.

A wine bottle and glasses were obtained from Hermann Goring’s collection.

The Eisenhower Museum has an Enigma machine on display. The Germans used this code machine to identify targets, until the British broke the code.

An exhibit of several Nazi-related items was interesting. It included a bust of Adolf Hitler, a Nazi flag, helmet and insignia.

Uniforms from both Allied and Axis nations are on display.

Not to be excluded, the museum had a collection of women’s  military uniforms, including a couple of WAVE (Women Navy) uniforms.

The museum has an impressive collection of military weapons.

The actual table Eisenhower and aides used to plan the D-Day invasion is on display. It always impresses me how people know to keep significant items through the years.

The Eisenhower Museum uses statues, as well as artifacts, to tell the story of the D-Day invasion and subsequent battles.

A model of a portable bridge designed to get equipment and vehicles on shore after the D-Day invasion is on display. While the design may have been good, the execution wasn’t. Winds and waves toppled and broke up the pieces.

As the war ended in Europe, people celebrated. A statue depicts the famous “kiss” scene in Times Square following the surrender of Germany.

Eisenhower’s staff car is on display, along with other military vehicles.

Following the end of World War II, Eisenhower eventually served as the Army Chief of Staff. He accepted the role as Columbia University’s president in 1948. He served there until 1950, when he took leave to serve as the Commander of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). He retired from active duty in May 1952 and returned to Columbia.

Eisenhower eventually agreed to run for president as a Republican. Both major parties wanted him. He sought the GOP nomination because he disagreed with Robert Taft’s non-interventionism stance.

He defeated Adlai Stevenson in the 1952 general election. Stevenson received more votes than any presidential candidate at that point in history…except for Eisenhower, who beat him by about six million votes.

The museum doesn’t use as much space in covering his campaign or presidency, as it does with the military exhibits.

His presidency saw a period of major economic growth.

It also saw political challenges. Eisenhower dispatched the National Guard in 1957 to Arkansas to enforce a federal court’s order to end segregation in public schools.

He fully enacted former President Harry Truman’s decision to integrate the military.

He negotiated the end to the Korean Conflict early in his presidency.

He saw the start of the space race. His presidency created NASA.

His administration created the interstate system. It also expanded the national park system.

He accomplished a lot. I would have liked to see larger exhibits on these successes.

A section on First Lady Mamie Eisenhower highlighted her interest in fashion. She was a fashionable first lady.

She enjoyed entertaining guest at the White House. The Boone, Iowa, native definitely had a great personality.

The Eisenhowers retired to a home they had purchased at Gettysburg, PA. The former president enjoyed painting and playing golf to relax.

The president died in 1969, shortly before the first American stepped on the moon. The flag presented to Mrs. Eisenhower is on display.

The Presidential Library houses Eisenhower’s archives. Most of the building is off limits to the public, but the lobby and a second floor gallery often have temporary exhibits.

A statue of General Eisenhower, surrounded by five stars, stands in the middle of the center’s grounds. It is a stoic salute to a great man and leader.

We recommend visiting the Eisenhower Presidential Center. Plan 3-4 hours to truly take in what the campus has to offer. Eisenhower seems to have been a truthful, honorable man. As a politician, he sought balance. I’m not sure his politics would work today, though they should be practiced.

For more information on the campus, please visit http://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/.