Presidential vacations

As part of a joke played on Appointment Secretary Matthew Connelly (background, right, in suit and tie), an African-American marching band led Mr. Connelly and Press Secretary Charles Ross (partly obscured by trumpeter) into the gates of the Little White House in Key West, Florida. They were in Key West to join President Harry S. Truman on vacation. All others are unidentified. From the scrapbooks of Matthew Connelly, Volume 4.

In a joke being played on Appointment Secretary Matthew Connelly and Press Secretary Charles Ross upon their arrival at Key West, Florida, African-American baton twirlers from the Douglas School and a marching band lead them to the Little White House. They are in Key West to join President Harry S. Truman and his party on vacation. All are unidentified. From the scrapbooks of Matthew Connelly, Volume 4.

A picnic lunch is served to President Harry S. Truman and members of his staff on the lawn at the Little White House while on vacation in Key West, Florida. All are unidentified. From the scrapbooks of Matthew Connelly, Volume 4.

In a joke being played on Appointment Secretary Matthew Connelly and Press Secretary Charles Ross upon their arrival at Key West, Florida, African-American girls from the Douglas School and a marching band lead them to the Little White House. They are in Key West to join President Harry S. Truman and his party on vacation. All are unidentified. From the scrapbooks of Matthew Connelly, Volume 4.

Members of President Harry S. Truman's vacation party exit the presidential plane, the Independence, upon their arrival at the Boca Chica air base in Key West, Florida. Sailors and United States Navy officers are waiting to greet the President's party. All are unidentified. From the scrapbooks of Matthew Connelly, Volume 5.

President Harry S. Truman and his family host members of his staff for a picnic lunch on the grounds of the Little White House while on vacation in Key West, Florida. Seated in the circle from left to right: General Harry Vaughan, Press Secretary Charles Ross (mostly obscured), President Truman, First Lady Bess W. Truman, Stanley Woodward, Margaret Truman, William Hassett, Matthew Connelly, and two unidentified men. From the scrapbooks of Matthew Connelly, Volume 5.

President Harry S. Truman (second from the right) receives a certificate from members of the Grand Lodge of the Free Ancient and Accepted Masons of Florida. The certificate is a resolution from the group, making President Truman an honorary life member and Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. President Truman received this honor while on vacation in Key West, Florida. All others are unidentified. From the scrapbooks of Matthew Connelly, Volume 5.

In a joke being played on Appointment Secretary Matthew Connelly and Press Secretary Charles Ross upon their arrival at Key West, Florida, an African-American marching band lead them to the Little White House. They are in Key West to join President Harry S. Truman and his party on vacation. Mr. Ross is near the center, wearing a bow tie. Mr. Connelly is walking beside him, smoking a cigarette. All others are unidentified. From the scrapbooks of Matthew Connelly, Volume 4.

President Harry S. Truman (center in the black, to the left of the man in the light suit) is called upon by the members of the Grand Lodge of Florida Free Ancient and Accepted Masons as he vacations in Key West. The members themselves are unidentified, but they bestowed upon President Truman an honorary life membership and Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. From volume 5 of Matt Connelly's scrapbooks.

As President Harry S. Truman says goodbye and poses for photographers before boarding the presidential plane in Key West, Florida, his daughter Margaret Truman snaps a photo of him from the other angle. From the scrapbooks of Matthew Connelly, volume 4.