First ladies

Informal portrait of Bess Truman seated before a "secretary (desk)" writing a note.

This was the first formal family portrait of the Trumans taken at the White House after taking up residence following the death of former President Roosevelt. The Trumans posed for several photographers this date. (See also 66-1700.) From: Truman Home.

President Harry S. Truman (foreground, second from right) hangs the Congressional Medal of Honor around the neck of General Jonathan Wainwright (foreground, right, standing near microphones) during a ceremony on the White House lawn. Others in photo are (from left to right) First Lady Bess W. Truman; Technical Sergeant Hubert Carroll, Wainwright's orderly; Mrs. Wainwright (black dress); Commander Jonathan Wainwright, V, and his wife (right and second from right respectively). Others in the background are unidentified.

The Harry S. Truman family standing in front of a car at Grandview, Missouri shortly before leaving by plane to Washington, D.C. From left to right: First Lady Bess Truman, Mrs. Martha E. Truman, Margaret Truman, and President Harry S. Truman. Donor: Clinton A. Brown

President Harry S. Truman (right) waves as he boards the "Sacred Cow," the special presidential plane, for a trip to Independence, Missouri. From left to right: Senator Alben W. Barkley, First Lady Bess W. Truman, Representative Noble J. Gregory, and President Truman. Donor: Clinton A. Brown

First Lady Bess Truman, President Harry S. Truman, and Margaret Truman being photographed in wicker chairs on the lawn of the Little White House, Key West, Florida, during the President's post-election vacation. From: Naval Photo Center, sent to the Truman Library by the National Archives. Original 4x5 negative.

President Harry S. Truman (center), Bess Truman (at left) , and Margaret Truman relax on wicker chairs on the lawn of the Little White House, Key West, Florida, during the President's post-election vacation. (Similar to 74-345 and 346) From: Naval Photo Center, sent to the Truman Library by the National Archives. Original 4x5 negative.

Bess Truman talks with Margaret as they fish off the stern of the "Big Wheel" at Key West, Florida, where they joined President Harry S. Truman on his post-election vacation. From: Naval Photo Center, sent to the Truman Library by the National Archives. Original 4x5 negative.

Bess Truman (second from left), Margaret Truman (center, back to camera), William Hassett (right) and unidentified others fish and converse on the Big Wheel, Key West, Florida, during President Harry S. Truman's post-election vacation. From: Naval Photo Center, sent to the Truman Library by the National Archives. Original 45 negative)

Margaret and Bess Truman concentrate on fishing off the stern of the boat "Big Wheel". The pair accompanied President Harry S. Truman on his two-week, post-election campaign at Key West, Florida. (Same as 74-334). From: Naval Photo Center, sent to the Truman Library by the National Archives. Original 4x5 negative.