UNCONVENTIONAL
CONV ENTIONAL
BOARD OF Directors
Donna Oklak, Chair
Robert Altice, Vice Chair
Jeremy Davis, Treasurer
Morgan Snyder, Secretary
Latoya Botteron, At Large
Brian Hewitt, Past Chair
Milan Ball
Teresa A. Bennett
Robert Biggs
Lisa Boncosky
Rosemary Dorsa
Erin Dorsey
Christina Hale
Ellis Hall
Eric J. Holcomb
Will Lonnemann
Konye Ori
Lucille Pittard
Blake Roebuck
Rod Taylor
EX-OFFICIO
John Teskey, Volunteer Association President
PRESIDENT & CEO
Charles A. Hyde
HONORARY DIRECTORS
Robert H. Everitt
Thomas P. Ewbank
Gracia Johnson Floyd
George Geib
Stan C. Hurt
Jamia Jasper Jacobsen
Thomas King
John Krauss
Kimball Harrison Morsman
Susanne S. Ridlen
Michael Wells
ADVISORY CABINET
Carolyn Anker
William A. Browne, Jr.
Lloyd Crowe
Whitney Ebmeyer
Daniel F. Evans
J. Scott Keller
Howard “HJ” Lacy IV
Elizabeth Mann
Jenry Morsman
Andrea Neal
Peter Rusthoven
David Sease
Ed Simcox
James Wallis
STAFF
Special thanks to the more than 150 volunteers who make our work possible!
JENNIFER CAPPS VP of Curatorship & Exhibition
MAGGIE SEARS Morsman Family Presidential Fellow for Advancement
DANIEL BENNETT Director of Museum Experiences
BETHANY GOSEWEHR VP of Advancement
MOLLY BEAUSIR
Russell and Penny Fortune Project POTUS Presidential Fellow
ROGER HARDIG VP of Education
JENNIFER HODGE Gracia Johnson Floyd Presidential Fellow
CHRIS STENFTENAGEL Volunteer & Relationship Coordinator
LINDSEY BECKLEY Special Events & Marketing Manager
JENNY BRAUN Director of Finance and Operations
ALEXIS PRICE Social Media & Content Coordinator
JULIO ZEPEDA Facilities Manager
GARY LARREATEGUI Weekend Supervisor
CHARLES A. HYDE President & CEO
Not pictured: Tamara Harris, Special Events Coordinator
New Year, New Chapter
It’s a new year, and with your help we’re ready to start a new chapter of the Benjamin Harrison
Presidential Site’s story. We are proud to officially announce the release of a new book! Developed in partnership with internationally renowned publisher DK (Dorling Kindersley), this 72-page guide brings to life the legacy of the 23rd President through his historic home.
To borrow from President Harrison’s quote, “Great lives do not go out. They go on.” But before we “go on” and to 2025, there are some important highlights worth sharing from 2024:
• Record breaking attendance and visitation, with over 35,000 visitors (and nearly 15,000 students);
• 2,000 copies of “Old Whiskers Escapes!” distributed to every 2nd grade classroom in the state of Indiana;
• 10th cohort of Future Presidents of America, which has now grown to four presidential sites nationally;
• We hosted 989 voters onsite, 98 new citizens naturalized, as well as setting new records for public programs; Off the Record, Juneteenth Foodways Festival, Wicket World of Croquet, and the Presidential Speaker Series.
The new year is going to be a real “page turner”! In addition to the new DK book, a new initiative “23rd in the 21st” is going to take civics education to a new level, helping to trace the interconnection between big ideas, public service, and positive impact. Special exhibits will feature “UNCONVENTIONAL,” showcasing three amazing leaders in Harrison’s era as well as “Treasures of the Harrison Collection,” drawing from the biggest showstoppers in our collection.
How can you help? You are already part of this story, and your participation and support is invaluable. There are so many ways you can “leap from the page”: help us model civil civic discourse; share the story as a volunteer or advocate; join the 1888 Society; and let’s work together to advance and sustain our mission to increase public participation in our American system of self-government for years to come.
This story—your story, our story—is a great one and it will indeed go on. We’re grateful for you being a part of it!
Very sincerely yours,
Charles A. Hyde, President & CEO
Calendar
UNCONV ENTIONAL
* Reservations required.
JANUARY 2025
COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3 8:30AM–9:00AM
EXHIBIT OPENING: UNCONVENTIONAL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23 . 5:30–7:00PM
FREDERICK DOUGLASS AND BENJAMIN HARRISON SYMPOSIUM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IU INDIANAPOLIS
THURSDAY– FRIDAY, JANUARY 30–31
FEBRUARY 2025
COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7 8:30AM–9:00AM
ROMANCE AND REMEMBRANCE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 . 7:00–9:00PM
PRESENTED BY CANDLELIGHT THEATRE* LIVE! PRESIDENT’S DAY
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17 10:00AM–2:00PM
MARCH 2025
COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR
FRIDAY, MARCH 7 . 8:30AM–9:00AM
EXHIBIT OPENING: TREASURES OF THE HARRISON COLLECTION
THURSDAY, MARCH 20 5:30–7:00PM
APRIL 2025
COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR
FRIDAY, APRIL 4 . 8:30AM–9:00AM
PRESIDENTIAL EGG ROLL
SATURDAY, APRIL 12 9:00–10:30AM
MURDER ME THRICE
APRIL 25–26, MAY 2, 3, 4, 9 & 10
PRESENTED BY CANDLELIGHT THEATRE*
PERFORMANCES START AT 8 PM FRI–SAT, 2 PM ON SUNDAYS
Coffee with the Curator
FIRST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH
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:
. January 3 UNCONVENTIONAL (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live)
. February 7 Love at War (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live)
. March 7 Treasures of the Harrison Collection Exhibit (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live)
. April 4
Russell Harrison and the Spanish American War (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live)
Space is limited so reservations are recommended. Find out more by calling 317.631.1888 or visiting PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org.
HARRISON STILL
OXFORD OBSERVER
City council promotes ageism awareness, celebrates former First Lady
Olivia Patel
"Oxford City Council approved several resolutions at Tuesday’s biweekly meeting, including two proclamations to promote and celebrate Ageism Awareness Day on Oct. 9 and Caroline Scott Harrison Day on Oct. 1.
The former works to prevent negative ageism and create a community of respect and gratitude to Oxford’s older adult population, and the latter celebrates Oxford’s very own first lady (married to Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the United States) and honors her contributions during her time at the White House."
Read the full article at oxfordobserver.org
INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY
The Bigature
Camille Graves
“When luxury dollhouse artist Jimmy Landers of Greenwood was commissioned to create a showstopping piece celebrating Indiana, he was given his pick of landmarks to model. Landers immediately chose Benjamin Harrison’s majestic Italianate house on North Delaware Street in Indianapolis, current home of the 23rd commander-in-chief’s Presidential Site. In a stroke of serendipity, the completion of Landers’ 6-by-4 foot replica, nicknamed the “Bigature” (a portmanteau of “big” and “miniature”) coincides with the 150th anniversary of the original home’s construction, which began in 1874, and comes on the heels of dramatic updates to the site and museum. The Bigature is composed of 48,000 miniscule bricks, is detailed down to its tiny gutters and HVAC system, and is a charming tribute to Harrison’s legacy and to the efforts of his wives, Caroline, a music teacher and artist who died while he was in office, and Mary, a supporter of the arts. Caroline lent her sophisticated eye to the design of the home, filling it with artwork, painted china, fine furniture, instruments, and gorgeously intricate wallpapers that were recently restored by Bradbury & Bradbury. Mary is credited with preserving her husband’s possessions and the home’s numerous artifacts, so that visitors today can be assured that 80 percent of the items on display are original to the family, from a letter written by Helen Keller to a hand-carved cane containing the busts of every president up to Harrison. The Bigature is on display at Civic Plaza at Indianapolis International Airport until January 6, 2025."
BY GRACIE COLLIER
2024/5
Capps Curatorial Fellow
The new exhibit in the Welcome Center, UNCONVENTIONAL, looks at three civic leaders contemporaneous to President Benjamin Harrison and represents different ways to encourage civil change. These three civic leaders influenced American History in unconventional ways. Through pursuing civic rights, whether for Blacks, women, or local communities, their stories inspired future civic leaders and resonate with the public even today. They proved that one does not need to be the head of state to head change.
UNCO ENTIO UN CONVENTIONAL
May Wright Sewall was a local suffragist who worked alongside her friend, Susan B. Anthony, to advocate for women’s civic rights. While influential on the national and international level through the National Women’s Suffrage Society (NWSA), Sewall always made time to cultivate the education and intellectual aspects of society in Indianapolis. Along with her second husband, she opened a school for girls that prioritized topics like language, science, and mathematics. In addition, the two held weekly lectures out of their home, from which the Art Association of Indianapolis, now Herron Art School and the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Propylaeum, and the Contemporary Club came.
Frederick Douglass, a prolific writer and lecturer, advocated for the abolition of slavery and Black civil rights. Using his former experience of being enslaved, Mr. Douglass became a powerful lecturer for abolitionists. Entirely self-taught, Frederick Douglass learned how to read and write by bartering bread with young, poor, white schoolboys and by watching shipyard workers carve letters into boards. The first text he obtained, the Columbian Orator, helped to inspire Douglass to use words to fight for abolition, along with other techniques. In his lifetime, Frederick Douglass wrote three autobiographies and published three newspapers, advocating for civil rights even after the Civil War. His work and influence was greatly valued by four presidents, one via an advising role and the other three by
CONV ENTIONAL CONVENTIONAL
presidential appointment. The last, under President Benjamin Harrison, was as ambassador to Haiti, the first country that won independence through a successful revolt by enslaved peoples. His advocacy for civil rights never ended, even up to his death, as the last thing he did before his death was attend a women’s suffrage meeting.
Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant who settled in Pennsylvania as a child, gained fame as an American entrepreneur. However, his greatest civic works started once he sold his steel company to J.P. Morgan. Carnegie believed greatly in capitalism, but only if the wealthy did what Carnegie saw as their duty; to use their surplus wealth for the benefit and improvement of the conditions of their fellow humans. To Andrew Carnegie, there was no greater use of his wealth than to support the civic life of communities national and international. Most prominently, he funded the founding of over two thousand libraries around the world, earning him the moniker “the Patron Saint of Libraries.” His eschewal of inheritance and family dynasties resulted in a longer-lasting legacy with his name leaving an indelible mark on several philanthropic organizations, many of which he founded.
The exhibit will draw connections between each of the figures, examining personal written accounts, letters, scrapbooks, articles, and artifacts. The exhibit will weave a narrative of each individual and the way each affected their contemporary society and the present day. Though all very different, each pursued the civic betterment of their societies without necessarily serving in government. By this exhibit the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site hopes to promote and encourage its audience to also civically engage with their communities, to feel empowered to do so, in realizing that a person does not need to be elected “president” to enact change and improve our country for the better.
Join us at the opening on Thursday, January 23rd from 5:30 to 7:00 PM
UN CONVENTIONAL
THANK YOU!
UNCONV EN TIONAL
UNCONVENTIONAL: Three Remarkable Civic Leaders of the Harrison Era was created through a collaboration between Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site and the IU Indianapolis Museum Studies Program. Our New Century Curator initiative seeks to afford innovative opportunities for museum studies students. This exhibition was made possible with the assistance of many people and organizations. Curatorial intern, Gracie Collier, would like to thank the following for their assistance.
Thank you to the Collections and Exhibition Committee:
• Ellis Hall
• Whitney Ball
• Erin Dorsey
• Scott Keller
• Sue Ridlen
• Diane Crabtree
• Jayne Hoffman
• Susie Sogard
• Michael McQuillen
• Jennifer Capps
• Lindsey Beckley
• Roger Hardig
Thank you to the staff at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site:
• Jennifer Capps, VP of Curatorship & Exhibition
• Charles Hyde, President & CEO
• Lindsey Beckley, Special Events & Marketing Manager
• Julio Zepeda, Facilities Manager
Thank you to the faculty of the Museums Studies Program at IU Indianapolis:
• Laura Holzman, Ph.D.
• Lois Silverman, Ph.D.
• Holly Cusack-McVeigh, Ph.D.
• Elizabeth Kryder-Reid, Ph.D.
Thank you to our additional partners:
• Carnegie Mellon University Archives
• Frederick Douglass Papers, Jack Kaufman-McKivigan
• Indiana Historical Society
• Indiana State Library
• Indianapolis Public Library
• Library of Congress
• Library Company of Philadelphia
• Indiana Album and the Sherry Rader Collection
• The Stuart Berth Wiege Indiana History Room at the Floyd County Library
• The Allen County Public Library
TIFFANY & CO. CENTENNIAL CYLINDER AND SCROLL
This sterling silver cylinder was made for the 100th anniversary of George Washington's Inauguration and presented to President Benjamin Harrison at the celebration in New York City in April 1889. The repoussé metalworking technique was used to create a floral design around most of the cylinder and all of the lid. The bottom of the cylinder is marked "Tiffany & Co., Sterling Silver" and is engraved stating, "This cylinder was made and inscribed in less than a week's time." The side of the cylinder is engraved Centennial Celebration – 1789–1889 / Civil & Industrial Parade… representative of the Civil Industrial & Commercial Bodies of N.Y. City / Daniel Butterfield, Chief Marshal – Hugh J. Grant, Mayor.” The scroll inside states: "1789–1889 To Benjamin Harrison President of the United States Ap. 30 1889. The undersigned representatives of many of the Civic, Commercial, Industrial, and Educational Organizations and Bodies of the City of New York on the occasion of this Centennial Celebration of the Inauguration of George Washington, the First President, present anew to the President of the United States in his official capacity their allegiance to the Government, Constitution, and the Laws, with their congratulations upon the completion of a Century of constitutional government, and the progress made in that Century." The silver cylinder is 13 inches long and 3 3/16” in diameter with lid on. The scroll is 17 feet long and 12 inches wide, and the signatures include Andrew Carnegie and C. L. Tiffany.
SOUVENIR PROGRAM
Heavy cream paper tied with red, white and blue ribbon. Program to Kodak Park, Memorial Day, 1892. Hand painted apple blossom. Containing pictures of those present and pictures of the Kodak Company. Photo includes Benjamin Harrison and several men possibly including Frederick Douglass.
A group of about 30 dignitaries in Rochester to attend the 1892 Memorial Day unveiling of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. The location is Kodak Park, New York. Governor Flower also attended.
Photograph of Harrison and several men surrounded by dark border. On back reads, "Souvenir / of the visit of / President Harrison / and party, / to / Kodak Park. / Memorial Day, 1892."
President Benjamin Harrison, Frederick Douglass, and Governor of New York Roswell Flower all gave speeches at the dedication of the Soldiers’ Monument commemorating civil war veterans from New York, along with a parade of 10,000 people. The monument includes a central figure of Abraham Lincoln. Kodak Park (or Washington Square Park) is in Rochester, NY.
PHOTO
Special thanks to the Mary Tucker Jasper Endowment Fund, April & Rick Sasso, Dorsey Foundation, REI Real Estate Services and all our sponsors for their generous support.
On November 14, 2024
Michael Smerconish presented The Mingle Project for the Presidential Speaker Series to over 500 attendees.
(Far left) Future Presidents of America alumni pose with Michael Smerconish.
(Middle) President & CEO Charlie Hyde with Michael Smerconish.
(Left) Grissom Air Force Base 434th Air Refueling Wing Honor Guard.
At age 16, a young Benjamin Harrison was assigned a composition on “Some of the Leading Differences in the Modes of Living, Labor and Enjoyment of the Comforts of Life in a Savage and Highly Advanced State of Society” for Professor Robert Bishop. In Composition No. 9 for Dr. Bishop, Benjamin Harrison wrote:
“The manner by which women are treated is good criterion to judge the true state of society. If we knew but this one feature in a character of a nation, we may easily judge of the rest, for as society advances, the true character of woman is discovered.”
DID YOU Know?
In 1891, Tommy Dewar sent an 18-gallon cask of Dewar's Old Highland Whisky to President Benjamin Harrison as a gift, on the instruction of Andrew Carnegie. The gift was controversial at the time because American distillers were upset that the President would drink "foreign whisky.”
The gift was sent by Tommy Dewar, who was responsible for building the Dewar's brand in America. The New York Times reported on the controversy, and temperance campaigners were also against the presence of hard liquor in the White House.
The controversy was great publicity for Dewar's, and orders for the whisky started pouring in from America. Tommy Dewar said the gift was "the very best advertisement I ever had, and it was certainly the cheapest, as it cost absolutely nothing!”
A Timeline | Frederick Douglass, Andrew Carnegie, and May Wright Sewall
1818 1835 1844
Frederick Douglass was born February 14, 1818
Andrew Carnegie was born November 25, 1835
May Wright Sewall was born May 27, 1844
1838 Douglass escapes slavery
1848
1871
Carnegie emigrates from Scotland
Sewall graduates from Northwestern Female College with Master of Arts
1861 Carnegie serves as Superintendent of Military Railways for the Union Army
1872 Douglass is first African American nominated for VP 1874 Sewall moves to Indianapolis
1883
Douglass gives his “Why Hold a Colored Convention?” speech in Washington, DC
First Carnegie Library opens in Scotland
Sewall is Chair of National Woman Suffrage Association
1877 Douglass serves as United States Marshal for DC 1892 Carnegie forms Carnegie Steel
1893 Sewall helps organize World’s Congress of Representative Women at the World’s Columbian Exposition
1889 Douglass appointed by Benjamin Harrison consul-general to Republic of Haiti
1911 Carnegie establishes Carnegie Corporation of New York
1915 Sewall joins Henry Ford’s Peace Ship attempting to stop the war in Europe
1895 Douglass dies age 77 on February 20, 1895
1919 Carnegie dies age 83 on August 11, 1919
1920 Sewall dies age 76 on July 22, 1920
To learn more about these extraordinary leaders, visit the new exhibit UNCONVENTIONAL opening January 23!
MONROE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY
SECOND GRADE TEACHER
PARKER CITY, INDIANA
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 Laurie Newton. This is my 34th year teaching second grade at Monroe Central Elementary in Parker City, Indiana. Though I have taught the same grade level over the years, things are always changing. The thing that stays constant is the excitement that 8-year-olds have for school and learning!
Many years ago, I found a brochure for the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in my mailbox at school. One of the programs caught my attention and a Christmas tradition began for second grade! Each December we schedule to visit the Presidential Site for the Wooden Soldiers program.
President Harrison was the first President to celebrate Christmas in the White House by decorating a tree. He decorated it with wooden soldiers to honor those who served with him in the Civil War. The students get to make their own wooden soldier ornament under the direction of Roger Hardig. Roger does a wonderful job keeping the children’s attention. He has been presenting this program long enough that he has memorized the story Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree!
Besides learning about and making the wooden soldier ornaments, the students get to visit the home of the former president. The house is beautifully decorated for the holidays and the guides are very knowledgeable. There is so much to see and learn, it’s challenging to fit it into our hour-long tour. My coworkers and I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about the only president from Indiana. It is a 90-minute bus ride one way for us and we eat lunch on the bus returning to school, but it is well worth it! We are looking forward to our 14th visit coming up in a couple of months.”
Want to engage the students in your life? Email education@bhpsite.org or find out more at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org.
LAURIE NEWTON
BY CHRIS STENFTENAGEL Volunteer and Relationship Coordinator
Volunteers are a fundamental component to the daily operations of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. Our volunteers go above and beyond to make our guests’ experience one of the best they’ll have while visiting Indianapolis. They are the reason the Presidential Site continues to be listed as the #1 thing to do in Indianapolis by TripAdvisor! Our annual volunteer appreciation event took place in early October at Back 9 Golf and Entertainment. Thanks to the generosity of our hosts, we had food, drinks, and golf bays provided for volunteers and staff to perfect their golf swings! Five volunteer awards were presented to some of our most outstanding volunteers this past year:
The “White Glove” award was presented to Charles Braun. The “White Glove” award is given to a volunteer for their dedication to the VP of Curatorship and Exhibition’s goals. Charles portrays President Harrison at our many special events throughout the year.
The “Special Events” award was presented to Jane Davis. The “Special Events” award goes to a volunteer who has gone above and beyond for special events hosted by the Presidential Site. Jane consistently helps with each of our annual events.
The “Apple of My Eye” award was presented to Jim Gidley. The “Apple of My Eye” award is given to a volunteer who has made a major contribution to the education department’s goals by assisting with school tours and other education initiatives. In addition to assisting the education department, Jim consistently leads 4 public tours a week.
The “Landgraf” award was presented to Cathy Robinson. The “Landgraf” award is a memorial to Mayburn and Polly Landgraf and awarded to a volunteer who has given extraordinary service to the Presidential Site. Cathy contributes her time in many ways including being a welcome center ambassador, assisting in the gift shop, sending out thank you post cards to visitors, decorating the home for the holidays, and assisting with our many special events.
The “Volunteer of the Year” award was presented to Nancy Johnson. The “Volunteer of the Year” award recognizes an individual who has provided exceptional support to the Presidential Site and works to fulfill our mission statement. Nancy is our welcome center ambassador on Sundays and Thursdays. She also has transcribed numerous personal Harrison family letters archived in our presidential research library.
We look forward to another exciting year at the Presidential Site in 2025 and we will continue to be a top tourist destination thanks to the efforts of our outstanding volunteers!
To learn how you can be a volunteer, visit our website at bhpsite.org/give/volunteer.
Charles Braun
Jane Davis
Jim Gidley
Cathy Robinson
Nancy Johnson
SPECIAL THANKS TO O ur Partners
Special Thanks!
We are grateful to the following institution funders and event sponsors for supporting the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in 2024:
Allen Whitehill Clowes
Charitable Foundation
April and Rick Sasso
Arthur Jordan Foundation
Aurora Financial Services
Back 9 Golf
Barnes & Thornburg
Bill and Roberta Witchger
Cass County Community Foundation
CBIZ Somerset
Charles Mayer & Company
Circle City Irish Fest
Citizens Energy Group
Cooke Financial Group
Cosimo Wines
Dana and Lucille Pittard
Donna Oklak
Dorsey Foundation
Dr. Jamia Jacobsen
Efromyson Family Fund
Elevance Health
Eli Lilly and Company Foundation
Emswiller, Williams, Noland & Clarke LLC
Faegre Drinker
Forvis Mazars
Fritz and Kasey Kauffman
Garfield Park Master Gardeners Association
GIPC
Gracia E. Johnson Foundation
Gregory & Appel
HATCH
HJ Lacy
Indiana Bar Association
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Indiana Humanities
Indiana Sports Corp
Indiana State Poultry Association
Indiana Youth Institute
Indianapolis Garden Club
Indianapolis Propylaeum
Indy Arts Council
Indy Chamber
Indy Summer Youth Programs
Ingrid and Kimball Harrison
Morsman
Intend Indiana
INVets
IU Center for Representative Government
IU Indianapolis, Office of Military and Veterans Affairs
J. Scott Keller
Jock Fortune
KPMG
Kroger
Lacy Foundation
Lake City Bank
Lewis Wagner LLP
LiftOff Creamery
Lisa and Bill Boncosky
Louis Hensley Family Foundation
Markey's
Maywright Property Co.
McGowan Hall
Meridian Foundation
MIBOR
Mirror Indy
Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation
Molly and Myrtle
Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation
Northside Mental Health
Old National Bank
Oren Cooley
Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Plews Shadley Racher & Braun LLP
Polished Communications
RATIO
REI Real Estate Services
Rowland Design
Sun King Brewing
Taylor Advising
The Fehribach Group
The Lonnemann Group with FC Tucker
The National Bank of Indianapolis
The Penrod Society
The Policy Group
Tilson HR
TopView
Visit Indy
Why Aren't You Smiling Inc.
Willkie and Selm Families
Wing Arts and Humanities Foundation
By taking a distribution from your IRA this year, you will likely pay more in taxes and may even reach a higher tax bracket. Rolling over part of your IRA's "required minimum distribution" or "RMD" to the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site can help reduce your tax bill while supporting our mission.
If you are 70 1/2 or older, you can make a gift of up to $105,000 this year from your IRA to help further our mission. Compare the impact of taking your RMD versus the benefits of making an IRA charitable rollover gift to us: Taking your RMD
• You pay income tax on your distribution
• You may not need or want the money
• Your tax dollars go to the government
• You are limited by the RMD rules.
INTRODUCING:
23rd President in the 21st Century
BY MARISSA FLANNERY
hen I came to Butler University in the fall of 2020, I knew undoubtedly I wanted to be a Middle/Secondary Social Studies teacher in the conventional classroom. However, through my studies I was introduced to the existence of and opportunities within unconventional classrooms such as museums. My junior year, I secured an internship in the education department at Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site to learn more about museum education programs. Through this partnership, I created and pitched an idea centered around connecting the life and era of Benjamin Harrison to relatable concepts for grades 4–12 learners. After graduation from Butler University in Spring 2024, I developed five virtual modules that center around Benjamin Harrison’s legacy and how the issues of today are not so different from the issues of his presidency.
The Presidential Site is preparing to launch a new website in 2025, featuring this new digital initiative that will leverage the five virtual modules we've developed for online instruction engaging 4th–12th grade students in understanding key civics principles through the lens of Benjamin Harrison's presidency. Over 40 Indiana state standards are met through these five 3–6 minute videos featuring: Statehood, Conservation, Voting Rights, Immigration, and Foreign Policy. The microsite will also include additional curriculum supporting materials, including primary sources of historical resources and founding documents.
This project would not be possible without the help of many partners including:
Dr. Ageeth Sluis
The Indiana Historical Society
Dr. Elise Edwards
Charlie Hyde, President & CEO of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Jennifer Capps, Vice President of Curatorship & Exhibition of the Presidential Site
Roger Hardig, Vice President of Education of the Presidential Site
Maire Gurevitz, Director of Collections Management at Indiana Historical Society
Butler University Summer Institute faculty and students
Butler College of Education
Butler History Department
Fritz and Kasey Kauffman
Donna Oklak
And of course, the man, the myth, the legend: Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President of the United States. Watch the member enews for more updates and an official launch of the website!
Special Events
ROMANCE AND REMEMBRANCE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14
6:00PM
Experience the enchantment of Romance & Remembrance, a one-night-only event that seamlessly weaves together the spirit of Valentine's Day and the captivating allure of poetry and art. This extraordinary evening promises to be a celebration of love, culture, and creativity.
Immerse yourself in an unforgettable experience as you step into the historical grandeur of the home of our 23rd President. Indulge in a sensory journey, with a selection of wines and delectable hors d'oeuvres, accompanied by live music that sets the stage for an evening of elegance and inspiration.
As the night unfolds, traverse through the home, guided by the rhythm of poetry. Discover poignant expressions of love through live readings of Civil War love letters exchanged between Benjamin and Caroline Scott Harrison. And be captivated by the stirring verses of Indiana's up-and-coming poets as they share their unique perspectives, promising to ignite your imagination and touch your soul.
PRESIDENTIAL EGG ROLL
PRESENTED BY HATCH AND THE INDIANA STATE POULTRY ASSOCIATION
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
9:00– 10:30AM
Mark your calendar and join us for our annual Presidential Egg Roll - the only egg roll in Indy!
Enjoy crafts, music, and celebrations! Children will race to roll wooden eggs through the grass as the Easter Bunny cheers them on. This lively event is free for both children and their parents, but space is limited so reserve your spot today!
This free event takes place rain, snow or shine on Saturday, April 12 from 9–10:30am. Take a photo with the Easter Bunny and enjoy other kid friendly activities. Where to go? Free parking is available along the east side of Delaware Street and in the surrounding neighborhood.
When you arrive, please check in at the registration desk, located on the front porch. The Easter Bunny will be hopping around in the Welcome Center!
Make your reservation and find out more at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org
Special Events
MURDER ME THRICE
APRIL 25-26, MAY 2-4, & MAY 9-10
FRI- SAT 8:00 PM, SUN 2:00 PM
*RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Purchase your tickets today at CandlelightTheatre.org
FUTURE PRESIDENTS of AMERICA
Prepare for an evening of suspense as Candlelight Theatre presents three classic thrillers in “Murder Me Thrice.” Written by masters of suspense, each play is performed in a different room of the Harrison residence, a continuation of a tradition stretching back to when Benjamin and Caroline Harrison hosted plays in the home in the late 19th century.
Agatha Christie’s, play, “The Rats.” comes alive in the back parlor. A couple is invited to an exclusive cocktail party in a downtown apartment. When they arrive, they find that something is amiss, and their host has a most sinister plan.
The master bedroom sets the stage for Lucille Fletcher’s classic masterpiece, “Sorry, Wrong Number.” This is the story of a neurotic invalid whose only connection with the outside world is her phone. On this particular night, the wires cross, and what she hears is terrifying.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s, “The Adventure of the Tolling Bell” will be presented in the ballroom in the style of the radio play that aired in 1947. A quiet town is being plagued by suspicious deaths, and only Sherlock Holmes can solve the insidious riddle.
FUTURE PRESIDENTS
OF AMERICA
is an innovative and engaging youth leadership camp with a mission of developing individual confidence, civic literacy, and good citizenship to reveal the exceptional qualities of character that make for great presidents and leaders. Applications are open now! Find out more at FuturePresidents.us
