Welcome to the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home. In person or on the web, visitors can explore the extraordinary life and legacy of the 5-star General who became the 34th President of the United States.
The Eisenhower Presidential Library is home to a world-class research facility that caters to scholars and history enthusiasts from around the world. Located in Eisenhower's hometown of Abilene, Kansas, the vast holdings of the Library consist of approximately:
- 30 million pages of historical records and papers
- 335,000 photographs
- 768,000 feet of original motion picture film
- 70,000 artifacts
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is one of 15 Presidential Libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. Presidential Libraries promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience. They preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire. Public programs and exhibits at the Eisenhower Presidential Library are made possible in part through the generous support of the Eisenhower Foundation.
Our Campus
200 SE 4th Street • Abilene, Kansas 67410 • 785.263.6700 • 877.RING.IKE
Library
Temporary exhibits are often located inside the Eisenhower Presidential Library in the second floor gallery space. This is a working library where the public uses the 26 million pages of the archives to conduct research - everything from genealogy, essays, theses, to book projects.
Museum
Built by the Eisenhower Foundation with funds raised through public gifts, the museum building is constructed of Kansas limestone. Originally dedicated on Veterans Day in 1954, the museum was built to house the materials and objects related to Dwight D. Eisenhower's life.
Visitors Center
The Visitors Center is located on the site of the former Lincoln School, where Eisenhower first enrolled in elementary school. This building houses our gift shop and an auditorium where a brief film on Eisenhower is shown on a daily schedule.
Boyhood Home
Opened for public tours in 1947, this typical 19th century home was occupied by the Eisenhower family from 1898 until Mrs. Eisenhower's death in 1946. Tours are scheduled every half hour and are limited to 10 people per tour. Tickets must be purchased in person.
*All home tours are scheduled and tickets may only be purchased in person.
The Eisenhower Statue
The bronze statue of Dwight D. Eisenhower by Robert L. Dean, Jr. was presented to the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum by the Harry and Edith Darby Foundation. The statue depicts Eisenhower in the familiar World War II "Eisenhower Jacket." The Georgia granite base has quotations from Eisenhower's illustrious careers as President of the United States, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces, General of the Army, Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, and Chief of Staff of the Army.
The Sculptor: Robert Lee Dean, Jr. was born October 13, 1929, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1953 and served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the military service, Dean established his own financial consulting business in Mexico City. During the 1960's he became a full time sculptor and moved with his family to Florence, Italy. Dean has completed three statues of Dwight D. Eisenhower: one is displayed in Denison, Texas, the President's birthplace; the second on the grounds of the U.S. Military Academy; and the third on the grounds of the U.S. Embassy in London. His other major works include two statues of General Douglas MacArthur and one of General George S. Patton. His portrait sculpture works include those of Vince Lombardi, Helen Keller, and Will Rogers.
Quotations and Insignia on the Eisenhower Statue Pedestal
SUPREME COMMANDER ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
February 13, 1944 - July 13, 1945
"Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force: You are about to embark upon the great crusade" -- Message to Troops of the A.E.F., June 6, 1944
GENERAL OF THE ARMY
December 20, 1944
"I cannot let this day pass without telling the fighting men...that my fondest boast shall always be: I was their fellow-soldier" -- Address to the American Soldier, February 7, 1948
CHIEF OF STAFF, UNITED STATES ARMY
November 19, 1945 - February 7, 1948
"It is a grievous error to forget for one second the might and power of this great republic" -- Letter to Walter Bedell Smith, November 28, 1947
SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER EUROPE
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION
December 21, 1950 - May 31, 1952
"The members of this command are of many nations working together ... for the cause that lies nearest our hearts today -- the preservation of peace" -- Statement for British Broadcasting Corporation Series "Atlantic Alliance", February 1, 1952
34th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
January 20, 1953 - January 20, 1961
"The quest for peace is the statesman's most exacting duty ... practical progress to lasting peace is his fondest hope." -- Statement on Disarmament Geneva Conference, July 21, 1955
Dwight David Eisenhower: October 14, 1890 - March 28, 1969
Mamie Geneva Doud Eisenhower: November 14, 1896 - November 1, 1979
Doud Dwight Eisenhower: September 23, 1917 - January 2, 1921
Designed by James Canole, Kansas State architect, it is built of native limestone quarried in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, and features chipped glass windows designed by Odell Prather, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The windows were constructed by Conway Glass Studio of Winona, Minnesota. The marble used in the crypt is Arabian Travertine from Germany, Italy, and France.
There is a meditation portion of the building where, according to General Eisenhower's wishes, it was hoped that visitors would reflect upon the ideals that made this a great nation and pledge themselves again to continued loyalty to those ideals. The Place of Meditation was built with private funds under the auspices of the Eisenhower Presidential Library Commission.
"The real fire within the builders of America was faith -- faith in a Provident God whose hand supported and guided them: faith in themselves as the children of God...faith in their country and its principles that proclaimed man's right to freedom and justice."
Abilene Homecoming, Abilene, Kansas, June 4, 1952
"Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in blood of his followers and sacrifices of his friends."
Guildhall Address, London, England, June 12, 1945
"Every gun made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed...This is not a way of life at all...Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron."
Chance For Peace Address, Washington, DC, April 16, 1953
Wording on the Pylon Plaques
"To this homestead divine providence brought David Jacob Eisenhower and Ida Stover Eisenhower. They lived in piety and Christian service, brought sons into the world, and taught them the ways of righteousness, of charity to all men and reverence to God."
"Six Eisenhower sons grew to manhood giving honor to their parents, to God, and to the cardinal principles of our free society. Their names were Arthur, Edgar Newton, Dwight David, Roy Jacob, Earl Dewey, Milton Stover."
"The men and women of our armed forces walk amid dangers, and many gave their lives for freedom. By dedicated duty to their beloved nation, they have preserved our God-given rights, our national honor, and the freedom won by our forefathers."
"Sustained by Faith in the cherished ideals of true democracy, each American works in his daily task at plough or force or machine or desk knowing this nation will forever stand one and indivisible in devotion to the cause of liberty for all mankind."
"From the modest home built on these acres came one destined to lead in battle the mightiest array of fighting forces ever to wage war in freedom's cause. The victory secure, as President he led the effort to ensure a continuing peace for all the world."