Harry S. Truman Library

This photograph depicts Thomas Hart Benton's draft in wax of figures he later used in his mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" at the Harry S. Truman Library.

This photograph depicts Thomas Hart Benton's draft in wax of figures he later used in his mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" at the Harry S. Truman Library.

This photograph depicts Thomas Hart Benton's draft in wax of figures he later used in his mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" at the Harry S. Truman Library.

This photograph depicts Thomas Hart Benton's draft in wax of figures he later used in his mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" at the Harry S. Truman Library.

Thomas Hart Benton is seated in his studio in Kansas City, Missouri, with some of his paintings during an oral history interview with the Truman Library.

This is a photograph of an armchair with the crest from Grinnell College at the top of the back of the chair. It was given to former President Harry S. Truman upon his visit to the college. This object is in the Truman Library Museum collection.

Rita Benton and her grandson Anthony stand before Thomas Hart Benton's mural entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West" at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library.

Rita Benton and her grandson Anthony stand before Thomas Hart Benton's mural entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West" at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library.

This photograph depicts Thomas Hart Benton's draft in wax of figures he later used in his mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" at the Harry S. Truman Library.

Rita Benton sits on a chair at her home with her grandson Anthony on her lap.