How to spend an Ike-citing day in Abilene
Abilene is the hometown of Supreme Allied Commander and 34th President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Driving through Abilene, visitors will see streets lined with American Flags and tributes honoring the community's famous former resident.
As Traveling with Purpose writes, "The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "Americana" as "materials concerning or characteristic of America, its civilization, or its culture. Broadly: things typical of America." They could just as easily have said, "See Abilene, Kansas."
Use the itinerary below to make the most of your trip to Abilene to experience "all things Ike."
8:00 a.m. – After a great night’s sleep at Abilene’s Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast, take a morning walk through nearby Eisenhower Park Rose Garden. Take note of the grandstand where, on June 4, 1952, Ike declared his candidacy for the presidency. Also, notice the image of General Eisenhower on the front of the World’s Largest Belt Buckle.
8:30 a.m. – Enjoy a delicious brunch at Abilene’s Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast and hear the stories of its former resident, Edward “Swede” Hazlett’s, life-long friendship with Ike.
9:30 a.m. – Take a quick drive by Eisenhower’s First Boyhood Home, 112 SE 2nd St, in Abilene. Upon returning from Denison, Texas, this was the first home Ike’s family lived in. Today, the home is owned by Claus Gruendl, a German Eisenhower enthusiast who also owns and operates the Eisenhower Museum in Oberammergau, Germany. Read more about it here.
10:00 a.m. – Now it’s time to visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, 200 SE 4th St. Make your first stop in the Visitors Center to purchase admission tickets and watch a short film about Ike’s life and legacy. Note that you’ll want to return here after your visit to shop for Ike and Mamie souvenirs.
On your walk to the Museum, take note of the Boyhood Home. You’ll return here later for a tour.
10:30 a.m. – Explore the recently-renovated Eisenhower Museum. Pay special attention to the Ike and Mamie quotes on the walls as you wind your way through the exhibits. Compare and contrast their experiences and upbringing. Watch the videos and hear Ike and Mamie’s story in their own words.
Listen to the video with Mamie. How does she want to be remembered?
And, don’t forget to check out the "By the Numbers" exhibit in the Museum Special Gallery.
12:30 p.m. – Take a break for lunch at Amanda’s Bakery and Bistro in downtown Abilene.
1:30 p.m. – after lunch, enjoy a walk downtown to stop at these Ike sites:
- Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum – 321 N Broadway St – Take note of the plaque outside the building noting United Press, Intl. processed and sent photos of the Eisenhower Funeral from this site.
- “Ike’s Galaxy” Cowboy Boot – 419 N Broadway St - Eisenhower Abilene City Hall, aptly named Eisenhower Memorial Building, and see a newly painted cowboy boot depicting Ike and NASA
- Ike Wins Mural – 401 N Buckeye Ave – See the recently completed Ike Wins Mural depicting Ike and Mamie celebrating Ike’s 1952 Presidential election win.
- Little Ike Park – 324 N Spruce - See a statue of the young Eisenhower.
- I Like Ike Murals – 409 NW 3rd (alleyway near the Sunflower Hotel) – this series of murals showcases the artwork from a TV ad promoting Ike’s candidacy.
2:30 p.m. – Now, it’s back to the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum! Your next stop is the Eisenhower Presidential Library.
Go upstairs and explore the rotating exhibits. The current exhibit is 19 & 52’: Women United for Ike. This exhibit explores the connection between the woman’s suffrage movement and women’s contribution to the 1952 Presidential campaign.
Coming soon: Global Gifts. The Global Gifts exhibit showcases a wide range of artifacts that are part of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum collection.
While at the Library, pay special attention to the sliver of the "Eisenhower Tree" - a loblolly pine from Augusta National Golf Club.
3:30 p.m. – Enjoy a guided tour through Eisenhower Boyhood Home (the “big” home) and take note of its size in comparison to his first Abilene home and the number of children raised here.
4:00 p.m. – The final chapter in Ike’s life is the Place of Mediation, where Ike, Mamie and their first son, Doud, are buried. While Ike could have been buried anywhere, he wanted to return to his hometown of Abilene for his final resting place.
Aside from being born in Denison, Texas, Ike’s entire life, from boyhood to his days as Supreme Allied Commander, President and final resting place, is represented on this 22-acre campus.
4:15 p.m. – Now, it’s back to the Visitors Center to pick up a souvenir or book to remember your trip to Abilene!
Symphony at Sunset Annual D-Day Commemoration
Note, this Ike-citing Day in Abilene pairs well with the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum’s annual D-Day Commemoration Concert on Saturday, June 3, 2023. The activities begin at 4:00 and feature concerts, including Everyday Lights at 5:30 p.m., 1st Infantry Division Band at 7:00 p.m. and the Salina Symphony at 8:30 p.m.