THE STATESMAN
|
MAY – AUGUST 2021
Old Glory
NEW VISION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E B E N J A M I N H A R R I S O N P R E S I D E N T I A L S I T E
B OA R D O F
Directors HONORARY DIRECTORS
Carolyn E. Anker, Chair Brian Hewitt, Vice Chair Jeremy Davis, Treasurer Howard J. Lacy IV, Secretary Donna Oklak, at large Andrea Neal, Past Chair
Robert H. Everitt Thomas P. Ewbank George Geib Stan Hurt Jamia Jasper Jacobsen Tom King James Kirsch James Morris Kimball Harrison Morsman Susanne Ridlen
Robert Altice Teresa A. Bennett Lisa Boncosky Rosemary Dorsa Erin Dorsey Eric J. Holcomb Elizabeth Mann Morgan Snyder Rod Taylor
ADVISORY CABINET
William Browne Daniel F. Evans J. Scott Keller John L. Krauss David Sease Kameelah Shaheed-Diallo Ed Simcox James Wallis Michael W. Wells
EX-OFFICIO
Ellis Hall, Volunteer Association president PRESIDENT & CEO
Charles A. Hyde
S TA F F
WHITNEY BALL Special Events & Marketing Manager
MOLLY BEAUSIR Russell and Penny Fortune Project POTUS Presidential Fellow
DANIEL BENNETT Experience Manager
JENNIFER CAPPS VP of Curatorship & Exhibition
BETHANY GOSEWEHR VP of Development
ROGER HARDIG VP of Education
JENNIFER HODGE Gracia Johnson Floyd Presidential Fellow
JAYNE HOFFMAN Weekend Supervisor
BECKY HONEYWELL Capital Campaign Officer
BRIANNA HUTTON Volunteer Coordinator
CHARLES A. HYDE President & CEO
GARY LARREATEGUI Weekend Supervisor
ALEXIS PRICE Social Media & Content Coordinator
MARGARET SALLEE Director of Operations
JULIO ZEPEDA Facilities Manager
Special thanks to the more than 150 volunteers who make our work possible!
FROM THE
Can We Count You In?
President Since the founding of our country, there have been almost 500 million citizens. Of those, approximately 12,500 people have served in Congress. The Supreme Court has seen just 115 justices. And only 45 individuals have been president of the United States.
Dwell on that for a moment: 45 citizens out of nearly a half billion people. There is something exceptional—good, bad, or otherwise—that merited the esteem of their fellow citizens and brought them to the highest office in the country. At the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, it is our honor to represent one of these commanders-in-chief. And we have done so with great dedication and diligence over the past decades; committed not just as a museum and National Historic Landmark, but as stewards of our shared American history. But while so much good has been done in advancing that work, we have set our sights higher—and need your help to achieve our ambitious vision. We believe that we can “be the most innovative, inclusive, and civically engaged presidential site” in the U.S. Our new board-approved 2021–2025 Strategic Plan makes the case for how we’ll achieve this lofty goal. Our Old Glory, New Vision capital campaign is a vital first step in helping us get there. You’ll find in this issue of The Statesman Magazine a fuller explanation of why we initiated this campaign, how we plan to make highest use of this investment in the future of the Presidential Site, and how we believe it will allow us to better educate the next generation. We know you will be as excited as we are about this project, and we are thrilled to share it with you in these pages—and invite your support. The time has come for us to be bold, and stand with conviction. Harrison did, and we will too. Make no mistake: those who underestimated Benjamin Harrison in his lifetime found themselves surprised by his success again and again. And make no mistake: the days when the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site was seen as just one out of 45 will soon be superseded. We have the inspiration. We have the vision. We are so close to meeting our goal, and we need your support now more than ever. Can we count you in? Very sincerely yours,
We believe that we can “be the most innovative, inclusive, and civically engaged presidential site” in the U.S.
Charles A. Hyde, President & CEO Cover image: On April 20, 2021, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site publicly announced its $6M capital campaign. This effort will help preserve the national historic landmark, and significantly enhance museum grounds.
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PLAN YOUR
Calendar
V isit
MAY 2021 GARDEN PARTY TUESDAY, MAY 25 . 5:00– 6:30PM
JUNE 2021 WICKET WORLD OF CROQUET AT WHITE RIVER STATE PARK SATURDAY, JUNE 5 . 10:00AM – 4:30PM
JULY 2021 INDEPENDENCE DAY SOCIAL SUNDAY, JULY 4 . 11:00AM– 2:00PM CANDLELIGHT THEATRE’S PRODUCTION OF NOT/GUILTY JULY 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 Presented by Candlelight Theatre* Performances start at 6pm on Saturdays, 2pm on Sundays
AUGUST 2021 LIVE! PRESIDENT HARRISON’S BIRTHDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 . 10:00AM–2:00PM * Reservations recommended.
FIRST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH
Coffee with the Curator
8:30AM – 9AM (VIEW ON FACEBOOK LIVE AT 8:45AM) Free for members & guests | $6 general admission
Join us for a stimulating 30 minutes at our monthly First Friday event! While you enjoy coffee and pastries, you will get a chance to explore some of the most interesting, amazing and unexpected Presidential Site collection items. We promise to satisfy your curiosity and have you on your way to the office by 9am sharp! Upcoming themes include: . May 7 On and off the Field (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live) . June 4 Alice Sanger and the Origins of Flag Day (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live) . July 2 The Other President General Harrison (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live) . August 6 Hats On! (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live)
OFFICIAL COFFEE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SITE
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Space is limited so reservations are recommended. Find out more by calling 317.631.1888 or visiting PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org.
HARRISON STILL
in the News
INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site plans $6M in updates for grounds, interior, programming Mickey Shuey A $6 MILLION RENOVATION PROMISES TO BRING NEW LIFE AND NEW TECHNOLOGY TO THE BENJAMIN HARRISON PRESIDENTIAL SITE—AND COULD HELP ATTRACT MORE VISITORS TO ITS OLD NORTHSIDE LOCATION.
Plans for the two-acre site, where the 23rd president lived before and after his time at the White House, include the addition of a new commons area and portico with a drop-off site for buses, as well as a promenade and a pathway connecting Pennsylvania and Delaware streets. The project, which also includes new way-finding signage and enhancements to exhibit spaces, will be funded by a $6 million Old Glory, New Vision capital campaign. Already, the site has raised $5.5 million, mostly from large, long-standing donors. “We’re trying to find a way that we can make a significant investment in this museum campus that further benefits the larger community,” Charlie Hyde, CEO of the presidential site, told IBJ. “That’s really the impetus behind this campaign. It will just allow us to entirely transform the visibility of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site within the community.” Read the full article at ibj.com. W H I T E H O U S E H I S T O R Y Q U A R T E R LY
The first White House Christmas tree remembered
WIBC
The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site will get multimillion renovation Madyson McGill Key additions to the site include: • The Johnson-Floyd Family Presidential Commons: An entry way into Citizenship Plaza, which will feature viewing cases with America’s founding documents • The Stan & Sandy Hurt Presidential Promenade: A way to guide visitors to the home of Harrison, allowing them to follow the “footsteps of the founders.” • A new neighborway: Connecting Pennsylvania and Delaware Streets for enhanced walkability and bikeability • New signature signage: Highlighting the Presidential Site’s presence to thousands of cars driving up Delaware Street daily • Residence enhancements: Enhancements to the first, second and third floors to make the museum more engaging for students, visitors and scholars. Old Glory, New Vision broke ground on Tuesday, and people will slowly begin to see the transformation take place. Read the full article at wibc.com.
Scott H. Harris
Today a Christmas tree that modeled on the one that surprised the Harrison family in the White House is decorated for holiday season in the family’s Indianapolis home. Nineteenth– century dolls and toys are placed as if to await the delight of children on Christmas morning. This home, built and lived in by the Harrisons for more than four decades, is now a museum, a National Historic Landmark, and officially names the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. Read the full article at The White House Quarterly. T H E STAT E S M A N | PAG E 5
Old Glory
NEW VISION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN OUR HISTORIC TRANSFORMATION OF THE SOUTH LAWN AND PRESIDENT’S RESIDENCE ENHANCEMENTS
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f you’re reading this article, it’s a good bet that you are aware of the national significance of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site and have visited the historic residence located at 13th and Delaware streets in Indianapolis’ Old Northside neighborhood. However, visibility and awareness remain key challenges for the Presidential Site. The residence is extraordinarily wellmaintained, but with little to no signage marking its presence. The historic gardens are beautiful, but have been inadvertently kept at arms-length from the community by a perceived lack of access. Visiting educators and students wind their way through neighborhood streets but receive no place-based orientation as to the national significance of what they will be encountering once they enter the home of the 23rd president of the United States. These challenges are exactly what our $6M capital campaign, Old Glory, New Vision, is designed to address. We are creating a stunning gateway public space on the south lawn of the Presidential Site that already welcomes 30,000 visitors a year, 17,500 of whom are students. As a National Historic Landmark and an American Alliance of Museums accredited museum, this project is long overdue. Just as we have worked over the past decade to professionalize our internal operations and programming, we will transform our grounds into a signature gathering place in the heart of the Old Northside, complete with much-needed greenspace, a welcoming environment, and a place where visitors and the community may convene for the naturalization of new citizens, vote in local and national elections, and attend over 30 special events annually.
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Construction on this new gateway began on April 20th with a ceremonial groundbreaking, including remarks from First Lady Janet Holcomb, Mayor Joe Hogsett, City-Council President Vop Osili, and Future Presidents of America Alumna Jade Thomas. We are also addressing priority capital improvement/renovation projects in the Harrison residence as identified in the 2019 Historic Structures Report, a 400+ page analysis of the structure of the historical home completed by RATIO. Plans include a new HVAC system, window and downspout repair, restoration of pantry cabinet and walls, and improved exhibit space and storage. This phase of the plan will begin in 2022. The cornerstone of the Old Glory, New Vision plan will be the Johnson-Floyd Family Presidential Commons that will give the Presidential Site the prominence it deserves. This commons will serve as both an entryway and a gathering place, welcoming neighbors and visitors to explore, discover, and learn. It is being constructed on the existing south greenspace (bordered by Delaware, 12th, and Talbott streets) and will create a key transition point between the interstate, the adjacent residential neighborhoods, and Pennsylvania Avenue. Key components of the commons include: • A beautiful wood and glass four–season portico with benches and interpretive graphics that will welcome visitors. • A Citizenship Plaza with limestone viewing cases featuring America’s founding documents: the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights. It will include an 89-ft. Centennial flagpole featuring a full size American flag and the presidential flag (the only location in Indiana authorized to do so without the President on site) visible even to cars crisscrossing I-65/70. We also plan to include a cultivar of the original cherry trees gifted to the U.S. from Japan, as well as a “Book of History,” honoring the hundreds of immigrants who have become citizens at the annual naturalization ceremony held at the Presidential Site in partnership with the Federal Court.
The cornerstone of the Old Glory, New Vision plan will be the Johnson-Floyd Family Presidential Commons. • The Stan & Sandy Hurt Presidential Promenade will allow visitors to follow the “footsteps of the founders,” with a president represented each step along the way, from George Washington to Benjamin Harrison and into the modern era, giving context and greater relevance to history at each step. • A new Neighborway, restoring east-west pedestrian and bicycle access from Delaware Street to Pennsylvania Street via a paved walkway, improving walkability and bikeability for neighborhood residents. Beautifully landscaped, it will serve as a vital connector in the neighborhood. • Signature signage that clearly identifies the Presidential Site to passing motorists and visitors.
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his new commons will leverage existing amenities and commit them to an even greater good. It will be the external embodiment of our vision to increase our impact, attract diverse new audiences, invite civic discourse and engagement. Visitors will view the graphic information presented in the Portico, read our country’s founding documents, and be reminded of past presidential administrations — all before entering President Harrison’s residence. We will create a sense of pride in Indiana and its only elected president, a greater awareness of history, and the critical role of the American system of selfgovernment as well as the importance of one’s participation in it. The planned renovations to the Harrison residence will ensure its beauty for decades to come. For more information about the campaign and to make your own contribution, visit www.OldGloryNewVision.org. T H E STAT E S M A N | PAG E 7
HARRISON IN HIS
Own Words
ADDRESS HONORING PRESIDENT GARFIELD MEMORIAL DEDICATION MAY 30, 1890, CLEVELAND, OH
“That one flag encircles us with its folds today, the unrivaled object of our loyal love.”
DID YOU ONE SITE, FOUR HOUSES
Know?
H. P. Wasson and L. S. Ayres were Harrison’s neighbors. The south lawn at one time was the site of two homes. The house just to the south was built by George Emery, a dealer in fine hard woods. The architect was Robert P. Daggett and it reflected an early Queen Anne style expression. The property was purchased by department store owner Lyman S. Ayres and his wife, Maria H. Murray, in 1882. The property contained a large brick stable with a high-style Queen Anne exterior to complement the design of the house. The next house to the south (where the interstate now sits) was built by Stephen Keyes Fletcher, a son of Calvin Fletcher. The Second Empire style house with a French mansard roof took many years to construct and it is said that the stone came from property owned by the Fletchers from what is now Brookside Park. In 1896, the home was purchased by Hiram P. Wasson, founder of Wasson Department Store. The Wassons' daughter Grace married Edward Lodge McKee, J. R. McKee’s brother. Both houses were purchased by Arthur Jordan in 1928 to provide a home for the new Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music. Both houses were demolished in late 1962/early 1963. The Darlington house, north of the Harrisons, was also later demolished. WA S S O N H O U S E A N D AYR E S H O U S E
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A MOMENT
in Time
May 4, 1868:
1894:
Benjamin Harrison purchased Lots 24 and 25 of Martindale’s Addition for $4,200
The front porch was added to the house by Harrison in the fall at a cost of $800.00
December 20, 1869: Martindale’s Addition annexed by the city of Indianapolis
February 18, 1874: Harrison mades his first payment to architect Herman T. Brandt to design the house
November 1, 1875: Chicago architect William LeBaron Jenney issued an invoice to Harrison “For designing & furnishing two mantels, as per agreement.” The cost for the two mantels was $124.00. The mantels are the front and back parlor mantels. Jenney is best known for his design of the Home Insurance Building in Chicago, an early tall building supported by a metal frame and widely regarded as the first skyscraper, for which he has been called the “father of the skyscraper.”
1895: Two-story addition was added to the northwest corner expanding the pantry on the 1st floor and adding a bathroom on the 2nd floor
1937–1952: Mary Lord Harrison sold the home to the Arthur Jordan Foundation in 1937. The house underwent a renovation and opened as the Benjamin Harrison Memorial Home in 1938, containing both a museum dedicated to Harrison's legacy and a women's dormitory for the Arthur Jordan Concervatory of Music. The house became a historic museum in 1952.
1973/ 1974: The house underwent a comprehensive interior and exterior rehabilitation with exterior masonry cleaning and repairs, installation of a new slate roof, and reconstruction of the front porch
2001: The carriage house was reconstructed and the elevators were added, making the entire site ADA accessible
December 13, 1875: Harrison made his final payment to Brandt
1893: The house underwent cleaning and repair work following Benjamin Harrison’s return from the White House
2006/2008: Save America’s Treasures grant allowed for interior plaster repair, creation of custom wallpapers, new carpets, porch repairs, and new outdoor lighting T H E STAT E S M A N | PAG E 9
We have the inspiration. We have the vision. Now we need your help.
PHOTOS:
1. Citizenship Plaza 2. Stan and Sandy Hurt
Presidential Promenade
3. Residence: Third Floor Harrison
The Old Glory, New Vision capital campaign will bring about a spectacular transformation of our grounds and essential renovations to Harrison’s residence. The new Johnson-Floyd Family Presidential Commons will serve as both an entryway and a gathering place, welcoming neighbors and visitors to explore, discover, and learn.
Family Presidential Research Library and Exhibition Space
4. Signature Signage 5. Johnson-Floyd Family
Presidential Commons
6. Neighborway rendering
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We’re asking you to please make your gift today and, if you do so by May 31, your gift will be doubled through a generous match opportunity. Together, we can transform our Presidential Site, our community, and our country while illuminating history for generations to come. For more information or to donate online, visit OldGloryNewVision.org.
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FROM THE
Collection
EXH I BI T: FR OM MO N UM E N T TO M O N UM E N TAL THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2021
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s many Americans are trying to better understand the larger meaning and purpose of public memorialization, this exhibit, inspired by Indianapolis’ bicentennial, explores the origins and interconnections between two of the city’s most prominent monuments—the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the Benjamin Harrison Memorial. The exhibit delves into the public spirit that inspired both memorials, and how a community’s ambitious vision became a reality— serving as a mirror of their era and ours, and continuing to help define public perceptions of Indiana’s capital city today. There are 129 protected “national monuments” in the United States in addition to National Parks, National Historic Landmarks, and countless state and local monuments. They commemorate the diverse and complicated history of the United States. Benjamin Harrison connects to several national and local monuments in interesting ways. His involvement in the cornerstone laying at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument is one connection. Friend and Attorney General William Henry Harrison Miller remembered Harrison: “It was him who helped to inaugurate the movement for the Indiana’s Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, and as President he was at the laying of its cornerstone, which he deemed a twin expression of that one great sentiment which had already set up the statue of this State’s great War Governor.” The Soldiers and Sailors Monument was first suggested by Governor Oliver P. Morton in 1867. It was to be a monument for all of the common soldiers and sailors. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument was designed by Bruno Schmitz and built between 1889 and 1902.
CIVIC AND INDUSTRIAL PARADE
MAY 1, 1889
Mayor Hugh J. Grant delivering to President Harrison on behalf of the civic and industrial organizations of New York. PAG E 1 2 | T H E STAT E S M A N
The cornerstone was laid on August 22, 1889. President Benjamin Harrison returned to Indianapolis from Washington specifically for the occasion and gave a speech. A copper box placed in the base of the cornerstone holds a time capsule. A phrase credited to Fred Fertig was that the monument was a tribute “to Indiana’s silent victors” – the common soldier. On its completion in 1902, a patriotic anthem written by John
FROM THE
Collection
Phillips Sousa, “The Messiah of Nations,” with words by James Whitcomb Riley, filled the air. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument has become a symbol of both the City of Indianapolis and the state. Shortly after President Harrison’s death in 1901, a committee of friends, colleagues, and supporters locally and nationally, including representatives of the Commercial Club of Indianapolis, the State Bar Association, and the Indianapolis Board of Trade began the discussion of a monument. The Benjamin Harrison Monument Association incorporated and started fundraising. President of the Association and at that time Vice President of the United States—Charles W. Fairbanks—at the dedication reported that people from every section of the country responded with donations. They selected Charles Henry Niehaus to prepare a design for the statue while the architectural feature of the base would be designed by Henry Bacon under the direction of Niehaus. Charles Henry Niehaus’ work can be seen on the doors of the Library of Congress, Astor Memorial doors at Trinity Church in New York City, and Orpheus with the Awkward Foot at Fort McHenry. He was awarded more federal commissions than any other sculptor. Henry Bacon is perhaps best remembered as an architect for the Lincoln Memorial. Several years before, he was involved in the planning for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago, for which President Harrison signed an act of approval in 1890. The selection of the site for the monument was “a task of much difficulty” as Fairbanks shared in his remarks at the unveiling. After careful consideration, University Park was deemed the best spot. In 1888 Harrison had delivered a series of nationally significant campaign speeches for the presidency from the park, which was across the street from what was then the Federal Building and a post office where the U.S. flag was prominently flown. On October 27, 1908, the monument was erected by the Benjamin Harrison Monument Association. A military parade marshalled by Colonel Oran Perry started the festivities. Fairbanks recited the inscriptions from the monument and concluded his remarks with: “They will come hither in the years unborn to the memory of one who did arduous service in behalf of the great Republic.” Harrison’s daughter, Elizabeth, then removed the flag unveiling the monument, followed by the singing of “America” and remarks by Governor John H. Noble. As we consider Fairbanks' words today, we examine what place statues, plaques, and art have in the public arena.
NAVAL PAR AD E
APRIL 29, 1889
The President and Vice President boarding the United States Steamer "Despatch" in New York Harbor.
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FROM THE
Collection
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s enhanced collections and storage spaces evolve in the museum, we are preparing to re-design the research library and archival storage areas on the third floor. Here are just a few of the lesser-known but important artifacts that will be re-housed in better archival spaces. THE LADIES HOME JOURNAL
Various copies of The Ladies Home Journal from the 1890s, some belonging to Harrison and others added to our collection. After Harrison’s presidency, at the suggestion of Edward W. Bok, editor of the “Ladies Home Journal,” he wrote a series of articles on the nature of the federal government and the duties of a President. These articles were published as a feature “This Country of Ours.”
CENTENNIAL BOOK
The History of the Centennial Celebration of the Inauguration of George Washington as First President of the United States edited by Clarence Winthrop Bowen. This copy of the book is a special edition and gift to President Harrison. It is velum bound and was sent with a letter from the Publication Committee for the celebration in 1892. It contains detailed accounts of the celebration including: • Biographical Sketches of the Members of the First Congress Under the Constitution • The Loan Exhibition of Historical Portraits and Relics • The Naval Parade and the Landing of the President at the Foot of Wall Street • The Civic and Industrial Parade
SIEVERS FLAG BOOKLET
President Benjamin Harrison and Our Country’s Flag by Harry J. Sievers, 1953. One of a historical series published by the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County. It is a reprint (with permission) of an article that first appeared in the November 1952 Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine.
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T E AC H E R
Feature
In this regular feature, we highlight some of the people, schools, and partners that make our educational outreach to thousands of students each year possible. My name is Jennifer Herold, and I’m a fourth-grade teacher at James B. Eads Elementary School in Munster. This is my 19th year teaching, 17 of which have been spent in fourth grade. I love teaching fourth graders for so many reasons; they are independent, creative, and inquisitive. They love to learn, but especially love to draw connections between their own personal experiences and the new content they learn at school. One of my favorite ways to foster those connections is by taking the kids on learning trips, and in fourth grade we tie those trips into our study of the state of Indiana.
JENNIFER HEROLD JAMES B. EADS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MUNSTER, INDIANA
Because we live in Northwest Indiana, traveling to Indianapolis is a whole day affair! We leave at 5:30 am, take large coach buses (the kids get a real kick out of watching movies and having a bathroom on the bus!) and we make our way to the capital. One of the best stops we make is when we visit the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. It is so cool to watch kids and adults alike step foot into the house and be transported to the 1870s. The guides always take great care to share with us interesting facts, show us the amazing details that have been preserved or recreated, and answer all of our many questions. Every year the kids are completely astounded that Benjamin Harrison and his family could walk up such steep stairs to the ballroom, or at how beautifully detailed the wallpaper is! These are details that aren’t lost on ten year olds who aren’t just reading about it in a book but are actually getting to see it with their own eyes! This year, we were really disappointed that our learning trip could not happen because of the pandemic. While our goal is to reschedule for the 2021-2022 school year, we still wanted to “visit” some of our favorite stops this year with our current fourth graders. The staff at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site did a remarkable job providing a “virtual” visit for us in December. Our guide livestreamed the tour, showing so many of our favorite parts of the house (and even allowing us to see some things that we generally wouldn’t in our in-person visits!) We really appreciated the time they gave to asking the kids questions, as well as answering questions, too! Our virtual trip even prompted some students who were in Indianapolis over break to stop by the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site to take a picture outside! I have enjoyed the relationships we have made with the staff at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site and look forward to many more years of visits. Want to learn more about our virtual and in-person education opportunities? Discover more at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org under "Learn." T H E STAT E S M A N | PAG E 1 5
VOLUNTEER
T
Report
he Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site reopened on January 25th after our annual "spring cleaning." The return of visitors also meant the return of our outstanding volunteers. Following all safety guidelines, we have been able to offer phenomenal experiences for all of our guests, which allowed us to move up to #3 of Things To Do in Indianapolis on TripAdvisor. Thank you to our volunteers, staff, and interns for continuing to create exceptional interactive experiences for our guests! We have a wonderfully dedicated group of volunteers here at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. Since we reopened for full museum tours in late July 2020, we have had a gradual return of our volunteers. We currently have 45 active tour volunteers, including those who are trained as Docents, Welcome Center Ambassadors, Special Events & Projects volunteers, and Gardeners. Included in that number are the seven new volunteers who have joined us since January 2021! We are grateful to have a group of enthusiastic volunteers who are committed to the Presidential Site. Additionally, the Executive Committee of the Volunteer Association has been working diligently in the last few months to organize fundraising opportunities for the association. The Volunteer Association Executive Committee spearheaded our effort to make available branded Presidential Site apparel. This became very popular, and the Volunteer Association has been able to raise funds through sales of the apparel. Their hard work has definitely paid off, and they are eager to establish more fundraising opportunities! You can see a photo (left) of one of our volunteers, Michael Back, sporting his new Presidential Site gear! Interested in learning more about our volunteer program? Email Volunteer Coordinator Bri Hutton at bhutton@bhpsite.org or call (317) 632-5472.
Intern Highlights: Our interns have worked hard to contribute to offering exceptional experiences for our guests. We are truly grateful that they have gone above and beyond for us at the Presidential Site, so thank you!
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ALLISON BAKER Graduate Student at IUPUI Pursuing a Museum Studies Master’s Degree
JON GRAY-SMITH Senior at Butler University Pursuing a major in Political Science and a minor in Sports Coaching
JENNA HADLEY Junior at Butler University Pursuing a degree in Strategic Communication
LANDON PLUMLEY Junior at Butler University Pursuing a double major in English Creative Writing and Journalism
MAGGIE SEARS Sophomore at Indiana UniversityBloomington Pursuing a double major in History and Political Science
NATALIE WILSON Junior at Franklin College Pursuing a double major in Art History & Digital Fine Art Photography
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Our Partners
Thank You To Our Supporters
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s we publicly launch our “Old Glory, New Vision” capital campaign, we are honored to thank lead donors who have been foundational to our successful efforts. The Arthur Jordan Foundation has demonstrated transformational generosity, leadership, and support of our greater vision. Their initial $1.5 million match commitment laid the groundwork for the campaign. We are also deeply grateful to Lilly Endowment Inc. for their continued leadership in the community and with this campaign. They have committed $1.5 million.
Mayor Hogsett speaking at the Groundbreaking Ceremony. Other dignitaries included First Lady Janet Holcomb, City-County Council President Vop Osili, and campaign chair Mike Wells.
We are thankful for the leadership giving of some of our community’s most highly respected foundations, and extend our special appreciation to the R.B. Annis Educational Foundation, Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, Inc., and The Dorsey Foundation. None of this would have been possible without the vital encouragement and support of lead individual donors, including the Johnson-Floyd family, Stan and Sandy Hurt, Ingrid and Kimball Harrison Morsman, Jay and Mimi Morsman, Robin and David Geis, Mike and Annie Wells, Donna and Denny Oklak, the Hieronymus family, and more. We are also very fortunate to have a strong and committed Board of Directors, who collectively have pledged over $800,000 toward the campaign.
Shovels were in the ground for the official start of construction on the Johnson-Floyd Family Presidential Commons
We are grateful for this vibrant community of support, and are excited to invite your participation as we aim high in meeting our ambitious goals. Want to help make the campaign a success? Find out more and make your gift at OldGloryNewVision.org.
Future Presidents of America alumna Jade Thomas addresses the audience T H E STAT E S M A N | PAG E 1 7
COMING
S oon
Special Events WICKET WORLD OF CROQUET PRESENTED BY THE LACY FOUNDATION Benefitting the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s Civic Education & Outreach Initiatives
SATURDAY, JUNE 5TH 10:00 AM–4:30 PM
With the Presidential Site undergoing $6M in new capital improvements, for one year only the Wicket World of Croquet is moving to White River State Park. Join us for one of the most fashionably unique events in Indy. Don your game whites and hit the court for a wicketly competitive day. You don’t want to miss out, as this will be the most spectacular and colorful days of play you’ve ever seen—players in their game whites on emerald green lawns embraced by sweeping vistas of the White River and Canal, framed by Indy’s stunning skyline and a veritable rainbow of Instagram-worthy public art. Don’t know Croquet? That’s OK—we have both Competitive and Leisure tournaments for game play, and the Porch Party for those would rather swig refreshments than swing a mallet. Enjoy special offerings from event partners Sun King beer, Hotel Tango spirits, CIBO vittles and Four Birds Bakery treats. Want to stay and play? Whether you’re a Team of Two or a Porch Partier, show your swagger with a special weekend stay with our friends at the JW Marriott. Please note: this is a rain or shine event. Advance registration is required and this event will sell out (seriously—everybody’s excited to get out of quarantine). Got questions or interested in sponsorship? Reach out to Whitney Ball, Special Events and Marketing Manager, at (317) 631-1888 or events@bhpsite.org. PAG E 1 8 | T H E STAT E S M A N
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: Lacy Foundation, Sun King Brewery, White River State Park, Live Nation, Hotel Tango, Four Birds Bakery, The Bank of Indianapolis, Gregory & Appel, Peine Engineering, Willkie & Selm Families, JW Marriott, Ratio, IndyHub, and more.
COMING
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Special Events NOT/GUILTY: OFF THE SCRIPT A theatrical collaborative by Dr. Donna Wing and Dr. James Trofatter
JULY, 9, 10, 16 & 17 PERFORMANCES AT 8PM JULY 11 & 18 PERFORMANCES AT 2PM TICKETS ARE $23.95 FOR GENERAL PUBLIC AND $19.95 FOR MEMBERS
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Purchase your tickets today at CandlelightTheatre.org.
In 1868, just under forty years after the establishment of Indianapolis, two murders were committed at Cold Spring that put the name of the city on the lips of the national populace. The ensuing trials captivated Hoosiers’ attention for over a year. Benjamin Harrison was the prosecuting attorney and was determined to find the central figure around which the incident revolved guilty of the crimes. That central figure was a woman named Nancy Clem. Hundreds of people testified for and against Mrs. Clem with vastly different descriptions of her whereabouts on the day of the murder. She never testified. After four trials, two with convictions that were overturned, two with hung juries, Mrs. Clem was set free. The murders remain unsolved to this day. For over 13 years, Drs. Wing and Trofatter have been portraying the roles of Nancy Clem and Benjamin Harrison as they deliberate the significant and contradicting elements of the case. However, this performance is unlike any other, and offers a unique opportunity for audience and actors alike. This 75-minute, unscripted production in the home of 23rd president of the United States--and true life prosecuting attorney--will engage current Indiana judges to evaluate the merits of the case based on 19th century laws and the socio-cultural norms of the time. Drs. Wing and Trofatter, representing the interests of Mrs. Clem and Mr. Harrison, will make their cases to the judge. T H E STAT E S M A N | PAG E 1 9
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