'Truman' visits Arrow Rock to lecture on art and history

Harry Truman (portrayed by Raymond Starzmann) delivers a lecture April 4 at the Arrow Rock Historic Site visitor's center. (Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

At Arrow Rock's first Saturday lecture on April 4, attendees traveled through the American past as Raymond T. Starzmann of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, acting as President Harry S. Truman, presented "Picturing History: Art and the American Presidency."

"Truman" highlighted many presidents and the works of art depicting them, as well as some of their beliefs and policies.

He pointed to John Adams's statement, "The most unfortunate sin for every president is to put our country in an unnecessary war," as one Truman weighed during his own presidency.

Fellow famous Missourian George Caleb Bingham was another topic "Truman" mentioned frequently. He showed slides of many of Bingham's political works, including a couple paintings set here in Saline County, as well as presidential portraits.

"Truman" shared his personal experiences with Bingham, which included serving on a committee organizing Bingham's sesquicentennial in 1961. But "Truman" identified with the Missouri artist on a deeper level, too.

"My father and I found sociability and excitement in politics -- what is conveyed in Bingham's paintings," he said.

Missouri artist Thomas Hart Benton was also mentioned. The artist painted the murals in Truman's presidential library in Independence, and during that time, the two men would share a glass of brandy every day, "Truman" said.

"Truman" spoke briefly about his own presidency, as well as his love of history.

"The only thing new in the world is the history we have not read or the art we have not looked at," he said.

The next Saturday lecture in Arrow Rock will be held May 2 at 10 a.m. at the visitor's center. The subject is "Rediscovering the Tallgrass Prairie," as presented by Mark Belwood.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net