Eisenhower Library and Museum — Attraction in Abilene

Excellent facility, interesting, well kept and managed. This was my first visit to a presidential library so I wasn't sure exactly what to expect - and it's likely they are all different. This location includes a visitor center and gift shop, museum, library, chapel and the boyhood home of President Eisenhower. All of the buildings/attractions are located on the 2+ acres of land where he grew up. The library is government managed but the rest of the facility is managed by the Eisenhower foundation and receives no government funding. Everything seems to be very well cared for and managed. The boyhood home was small and due to renovation work we were only able to tour the bottom floor. Our guide was excellent. Interesting and knowledgeable. Definitely worth the time. A short (maybe about 20 minutes) documentary film on Eisenhower's life is played at the visitor center/gift shop. The film was well done and a good length for visitors. The staff at the visitor center are friendly and helpful. President Eisenhower, his wife and one son who died in infancy are buried in the chapel. It is a small but beautiful place to spend a few minutes in quiet reflection. The museum was large and very well done. It is also in the process of some renovation but most is open. A lot of the space is, quite reasonably, dedicated to his war experience and to the second world war but it also presents many interesting details of his life and the times in which he lived. The library is primarily for the benefit of researchers but there are a few things for the general public to see and worth a walk through. There is a short film available in the library explaining just what they do. I spent about two hours total at the site which I would guess is about the minimum needed. Only about an hour of that was spent in the museum as I went through fairly quickly. Stopping to read everything available and watch all of the videos could easily add an hour and perhaps two to the visit. There is a charge for visiting the facility but it seemed quite reasonable. ($9 Senior, military, student; $12. adult; $3. children 5-15) Highly...

We were all excited to go to the eisenhower library and museum and boyhood home. We bought our tickets and when we bought our tickets we said we had a registered therapy dog so we purchased the tickets the lady said that was fine and sold us our tickets. About 5 minutes or so later we were looking around the gift shop and another employee behind the registered said we couldn't take the dog in therapy dog or not. She even said she understood because she had a therapy dog, but her therapy dog was not with her we didn't understand why if she had a therapy dog that it wasn't with her but we didn't see the employees therapy dog thought it strange if you had a registered therapy dog like my child it should be with you always, where was the employee registered dog ? my child needs hers. Our dog never leaves my child she has to have it and the dog is trained and sensitive to my child. And bringing these dogs every where is not always easy because its added care for us to bring the dog but it comes with the child for her health and well being. So we didn't argue we left but know this therapy dogs are not allowed . A sign on the door said therapy dogs were allowed. I'm going to add my child has the dog with her in a pet stroller or in her arms the dog never runs free the dog was in control of the owner at all times. we drove several hours to go to this museum for my child and were turned away. I'd love for the owner/manager to contact me with this and we will not drive several hours...

The Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas is a truly worthwhile destination for anyone interested in American history. Situated on a lovely, well-maintained campus that spans several buildings, the site offers a comprehensive and engaging look into the life and legacy of Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The museum itself is exceptionally well done, with thoughtfully curated exhibits and high-quality displays that cover everything from Eisenhower’s military career to his presidency and personal life. One highlight was the gallery dedicated to First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, which included a charming collection of her dresses and personal items, offering a more intimate glimpse into her life and style.

Another standout feature of the visit was the opportunity to tour Eisenhower’s boyhood home. The house is preserved beautifully, and we were fortunate to have an excellent guide who provided informative and engaging context about Eisenhower’s early years.

The staff across the campus were universally friendly and knowledgeable, clearly passionate about sharing Eisenhower’s story with visitors. To cap off the experience, visitors can pay their respects at the serene chapel on the grounds, where President Eisenhower, his wife Mamie, and their firstborn son are laid to rest.

Overall, this is a rich and rewarding visit that combines historical significance with personal stories, making it a must-see for history buffs and casual...