The Statesman Magazine Sept-Dec, 2019

Th e Stat e s m a n

September - December 2019

FUTURE PRESIDENTS c l a ss o f 2019

A P U B L I CAT 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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Andrea Neal, Chair Carolyn E. Anker, Vice Chair

Susan Bradford, Treasurer Howard J. Lacy IV, Secretary Robert Altice Teresa Bennett Rosemary Dorsa Thomas P. Ewbank Brian Hewitt Eric J. Holcomb Donna Oklak Peter Rusthoven Ed Simcox Morgan Snyder Nikki Woodson EX-OFFICIO Martha Buehner PRESIDENT & CEO Charles A. Hyde

Michael W. Wells, at large James Wallis, Past Chair HONORARY DIRECTORS Robert H. Everitt George Geib Stan Hurt Jamia Jasper Jacobsen Thomas King James Morris Susanne Ridlen ADVISORY CABINET William Browne Daniel F. Evans J. Scott Keller James Kirsch John L. Krauss Kimball Harrison Morsman David Sease

STAFF

WHITNEY BALL Special Events & Marketing Mgr

DANIEL BENNET T 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 Super visor

CHARLES A . HYDE President & CEO

GARY LARREATGUI Weekend Super visor

DAVID PLEISS Volunteer Mgr & Education Specialist

MARGARET SALLEE Director of Operations

JULIO ZEPEDA Facilities Manager

Special thanks to the more than 150 volunteers who make our work possible!

“Are we allowed to disagree?”

One of our Future Presidents of America recently reminded of the power of Benjamin Harrison’s precept that, “the bud of victory is always in the truth”.

From the President

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You’ll find her speaking for herself nearby, but on that day we had a prominent former public official engaging this year’s cohort of young leaders. From my vantage point as an observer it became apparent that Lissania did not agree with his perspective on his time in office. I saw her look hesitantly around the room, start to raise her hand, and then stop.

She then stood up, walked over to the seat beside me, and in sotto voce asked, “Are we allowed to disagree?”

What a great leadership question, seeking the terms of engagement—especially in this politically fraught time, where dissent is more admired than encouraged. Did she want permission to be uncivil? Was she going to question his character? Would an esteemed community leader be offended in the process?

But here she was—a bold, bright, and engaged young leader, and her question required an immediate and principled response. Time was of the essence!

I answered Lissania the only way I could: “Yes, respectfully”.

Our trust was well-placed, and her poignant questions challenged him firmly but civilly. To his credit, he respected her for it and the conversation was better because of her curiosity, courage and good faith dissent.

I share this story to illustrate a point: as a presidential site, we are uniquely positioned to facilitate active leadership education like this through history and civic engagement. It’s one of the reasons we initiated a Presidential Mentors pinning ceremony (see cover image and text below) this year: to help the Future Presidents help us in celebrate principled people in our lives who are willing to share the truth with us, even when it’s awkward or uncomfortable.

ture ance at Fu My attend this a ic er m A of Presidents the of e on n as bee The e. summer h lif y hlights in m e staff biggest hig th , rs ke ea al sp inspiration de Future udents ma feel and the st of America Presidents multiple e th d n a e like a hom y with I alked awa lessons I w things e r hold. Th will foreve at FPA are ed h lis p om being acc things I le and the remarkab me to ed p a t has sh elf. As was taugh ys m t version of be the bes ni I can m lu A A e FP a part of th ’ we all that ‘thing say, FPA is to be. the place need, it is Perez, --Lissania of 2019 FPA Class

Whether as a voting center, naturalization site, juror appreciation partner, one of TripAdvisor’s top 5 “things to do” in Indy, an AAM accredited museum serving 17,000 school children annually, or educating students of all ages about their rights and obligations as American citizens, we’ve made a choice too. Not just to model good civic behavior, but to encourage it in others.

Thank you for your bold support as members and donors, and for your encouragement in helping us nurture budding leadership and find victory in truth—respectfully!

Charles A. Hyde, President & CEO

Front cover: 2019 Future President of America Makyiah Hails pins her Presidential Mentor Shonjuanka HailsChapman at the first annual Future Presidents of America Alumni Evening and Presidential Mentor Pinning Ceremony presented by the Wing Arts and Humanities Fund on June 27, 2019.

Plan Your Visit

CALENDAR CROQUET ROQUET O c to b e r 3 . 5 : 3 0 p m - 7p m G H O ST TA L E S O F T H E C IVI L WA R Pre s e n te d by Ca n d l e l i g h t T h ea t re* O c to b e r 1 1 & 1 2 I 1 8 & 1 9 I 26 & 27 Pe r fo rm an ce s star t at 6 pm , 2pm S u n days L IVE ! E L ECT I O N DAY N ove m b e r 5 . 1 0 a m - 3 : 3 0 p m C IVI L WA R D I N N E R * N ove m b e r 6 . 6 p m - 9 p m

M ARY TU CK ER JASPER SPEA K ER SERI ES* Fea t u ri n g B ri a n L a m b November 11 . 6pm-9pm, Columbia Club L IVE ! FA M I LY C H R I ST M A S D e ce m b e r 7 . 1 0 a m - 3 : 3 0 p m ‘ TWA S T H E N I G H T B E FO R E . . .

Pre s e n te d by Ca n d l e l i g h t T h ea t re* D e ce m b e r 1 2-1 5 Pe r fo rm an ce s star t at 6 pm , 2pm S u n days * Reservations required.

COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR First Friday of Each Month

Free for members & guests • $6 general admission • 8:30am - 9am

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:

. . . .

September 6 October 4 November 1 December 6

Conservation Legacy Memento Mori Front Porch Campaign Home for the Holidays

Space is limited so reservations are recommended.

Find out more by calling 317.631.1888 or visiting PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org.

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Harrison Still in the News

RTV6 98 people become American citizens at ceremony in Indy the day before July 4th On July 3, RTV6 Journalist Katie Cox observed: “Nearly 100 men and women f rom across the world became citizens of the United States at a ceremony in Indianapolis the day before America’s birthday.

The ceremony took place at Indianapolis’ Presidential landmark, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site where 98 people took the Oath of Allegence and officially became U.S. citizens.

Judge Sarah Evens Baker presided over the naturalization ceremony in a tent on the south lawn and Benjamin Harrison’s greatgreat-grandson, Kimball Harrison Morsman, provided remarks. The 98 new citizens come f rom 31 countries including Afghanistan, China, Nigeria, Mexico, Guatemala, Israel, Italy and Vietnam.”

American Association for State & Local History 2019 Leadership in History Award Winner On August 30, 2019, The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site proudly announced it is the recipient of an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) for its New Century eCollection Initiative.

The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 74th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.

“The New Century eCollection is a multimedia, multi- faceted initiative focused on preserving a nationally- significant presidential collection, providing a transformative educational resource to our country, and expanding the walls of the museum through digital collections,” explained Charles Hyde, Presidential Site President and CEO. “The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is on the leading edge of the use of 3D and 2D technology in museums, and does so in a user-friendly, approachable and thoughtful manner through this threepart project.”

Indianapolis Business Journal Benjamin Harrison offers lessons for all of us In June 12, 2019 edition, writer Christina Hale reported that “leaders at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site have collaborated with local partners to build on his legacy to benefit generations to come” with the Future Presidents of America Program. Applauding the cause of civic engagement, she concluded that, “...if you are under 16, be sure to inquire to the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site about applying this year. And if you are over 16, like I am, perhaps we should gang up and plead for them to create a similar program for adults. We sure do need it more than ever these days.”

Harrison Family Holidays

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Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site Collection

n Christmas day in 1888, oneyear-old Benjamin McKee (photo) received a gift of special interest to his grandfather, Benjamin Harrison.

It was a box containing a miniature kit of cabinet maker’s tools. The un-signed note accompanying it suggested that the future president might find it serviceable in making up his cabinet. Baby McKee (as Benjamin’s grandson was affectionately known) was instructed to give his grandfather full opportunity to use the tools for that purpose. Several months later, in March of 1889, Benjamin moved to Washington, D.C., becoming the 23rd President of the United States, and no doubt finding the miniature cabinet-maker’s kit very useful to his presidency.

For Benjamin and his wife Caroline, the move from Indianapolis to the Washington, D.C. did not dampen their family Christmas celebration.

Benjamin valued his family, and

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moved them to White House, meaning that Christmas could go on as always.

Along with extended family, the White House was populated by Ben’s children Russell and Mary, Russell’s wife May, Mary’s husband J.R. McKee, several of the Harrison’s grandchildren (including “Baby”) and Caroline’s father, John Witherspoon Scott.

The large family in the White House meant that the Harrisons celebrated Christmas in a way unprecedented by former presidents and their first ladies. In the years prior to Harrison’s presidency, Christmas at the White House was not typically a grand celebration.

However, in hopes of making it memorable for his grandchildren, Ben had a decorated tree installed in the Yellow Oval Room for Christmas of 1889.

The large, gorgeous Foxtail Hemlock tree was trimmed by the family, the staff, and the President himself, and it certainly brought much joy and celebration to the White House. A newspaper clipping describes the events of Christmas Day: “The tooting of a horn in a series of more or less musical notes was the signal for the commencement of the Christmas celebration at the White House this morning shortly after 10 o’clock. When Mrs. Dimmick blew this juvenile instrument, faces came smiling from every door all around her in the corridor upstairs, and soon all the members of the presidential family had assembled in a laughing procession.”

Upon entering the Yellow Oval Room, the “laughing procession” found a tree filled with toys for the children as well as gifts for the family and staff.

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Mary Harrison McKee wrote to her husband describing the first Christmas that the Harrison’s spent at the White House: “Such a day as yesterday was for all of us… We hung up stockings for each of the children and put a few little things in them.

Benjamin thought it was great sport when he woke up in the morning… After breakfast we lighted the tree (almost half past ten) and I do wish you could have seen Benjamin and Mary as I took them into the room… We called all the employees and servants in and I think they were as much pleased as the children.

Papa gave each man who has a family a turkey and those who have not a pair of gloves.”

While President Harrison was normally serious and formal, he felt that Christmas should be a joyous celebration with family and friends. In December of 1891, he expressed to a New York Journalist that Christmas, “should be an occasion of general rejoicing throughout the land, from the humblest citizen to the highest official, who, for the time being, should forget or put behind him the cares and annoyances, and participate in the spirit of seasonable festivity...“I shall be their Santa Claus myself.”

Christmas continued to be celebrated in the White House throughout Harrison’s presidency. As much as he found the occasion enjoyable, he also saw it as a duty. The holidays were a time to rejoice and to make merry, but they were also sacred and should be spent with one’s family. His installation of the first tree in the White House reflects these values. As President, he hoped that his Christmas celebration would serve as an example throughout the nation, calling everyone, “from the humblest citizen to the highest official” to celebrate together.

--- Jennifer Capps, VP of Curatorship & Exhibition Sarah Meer, Marian University Work study intern

Harrison in His Own Words

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TO A NEW YORK JOURNALIST, 1891 (Washington, D.C.)

“We

intend to make it a day at the happy White House . I am an ardent beli ever in the duty we owe ourselves, as Christia ns, to mak merry for e children a t Christmas time, and we shall h ave an old fashioned C hristmas tr ee for the grandchildr en upstairs ; I shall be their Santa Claus mysel f.

If my influ ence goes ou t for ought in this bu sy world, let me hop that my ex e ample may be followed in every fa mily in the land.”

DID YOU KNOW? Over a hundred years ago, a spider web found on Christmas morning was believed to bring good luck.

Mr. Hoover, the White House electrician, fixed a spider web made of silver wire and the body of the spider had an electric red light burning behind it.

Following a quiet Christmas turkey dinner in 1888, General and Mrs. Harrison took tea at neighbors. When they returned home they found a gift from a friend in Portland, Oregon. The gift was a spider web made of very fine wire, with a spider and a fly in very close proximity to each other and on the other side the words “Home Sweet Home” and it was explained that it should be hung in the parlor door.

“Will you walk into my parlor, said the Spider to the Fly...”

This tradition is carried on today in the museum’s special holiday decor. Look for it in the back parlor this December when you tour!

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A Moment in Time: Presidential Seals

1889

I nv it a t io n f rom th e Harri so n Wh i te H o u se The Seal of the President of the United States is used to mark correspondence f rom the president of the United States to the U.S. Congress, and is also used as a symbol of the presidency itself. The central design, based on the Great Seal of the United States, is the off icial coat of arms of the U.S. presidency and also appears on the presidential flag. The image to the left, the “ Trenchard,� is the 1786 version of a U.S . seal that would inspire the presidential seal, developed by custom over a long period before being def ined in law. The early history remains obscure.

1841 William H Harrison

1894 Grover Cleveland

1846 James Polk

1850 Millard Fillmore

1877 Rutherford B Hayes

1913 Woodrow Wilson

1933 Franklin D Roosevelt

1989 George H W Bush

Th e 2 0 1 9 Cl a s s o f Fu t u r e P r e s i d e n t s o f A m e r i ca w i t h U. S .

S e n ato r To d d Yo u n g . S p e a k e r s fo r t h e p r o g r a m f e at u r e d a n i m p r e s s i v e a r r ay o f co m m u n i t y l e a d e r s , i n c lu d i n g Fi r st L a dy J a n e t H o lco m b , Co m m i s s i o n e r fo r H i g h e r E d u cat i o n Te r e s a Lu b b e r s , Ex e c u t i v e D i r e c to r o f Ki wa n i s Yo u t h P r o g r a m s Ch r i st i n a H a l e , M a r i o n Co u n t y P r o s e c u to r Te r ry Cu r ry, h i sto r i a n D r . Da n M i l l e r , c i v i c l e a d e r S a m O d l e , fo r m e r M ayo r G r e g B a l l a r d , D e p u t y M ayo r J e f f B e n n e t t, C I C F ’ s B r i a n Pay n e a n d Pa m e l a R o s s , o u r ow n b oa r d c h a i r A n d r e a N e a l , Ci t y C FO Fa dy Qa d d o u r a , a n d H a r r i s o n d e s c e n da n t s J e n ry M o r s m a n a n d A b by M o r s m a n .

Meet the Future Presidents of America

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We were at full capacity

for the 2019 Future Presidents of America youth leadership program, a fun and innovative one-week summer event for smart, engaged young adults that builds individual conf idence, civic literacy and good citizenship. The June program included interactive sessions, conversations with preeminent civic leaders and statesmen, up-close experiences with historic artifacts and thought-provoking discussions!

Destin Gentillion

Speedway High School

Ella Bennett

Perry Meridian High School

Jaidyn Brooks

Warren Central High School

Jonah Maple

Lindsey Nickel

Lissania Perez Diaz

Michaela Ingram

Abigail Miller

Andrew Galvez

Lawrence North High School

Decatur Middle School

International High School

Ben Davis High School

Riverside High School

Beech Grove High School

T h ese youn g lea ders we re spe c i a l l y se l e c te d as “ S u p e ri n te n d e n t ’s Sch o la rs” by th e Supe ri n te n de n t s o f t h e e l eve n di s t ri c t s i n M ari on Cou n ty.

We are ver y excite d to we l co m e so m e o f t h e be st an d b ri g h te s t s t u d e n t s t h a t o ur community ha s to o f fe r !

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Volunteer Spotlight

Makyiah Hails

Angel Guerrero

Sarah Simcox

Emily Mertz

Kyndal Smith

Tyler Monday

Jamiyah Ball

Janna Guevarra

C. J. Price

Lawrence North High School

Southport High School

Tindley Accel. High School

North Central High School

Pike High School

Decatur Middle School

Herron High School

Franklin Central High School

Belzer Middle School

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2020 You can apply for 2020 Future Presidents of America Youth Leadership Program, June 29th - July 3rd!

Limited to 20 young leaders (ages 12 to 16), this event focueses on the qualities that make for great presidents--yesterday, today and tomorrow.

All selected participants receive full scholarships ($400 value). Registration is now open, and the early admission deadline is December 2nd, 2019.

Questions? Please contact VP of Education, Roger Hardig, at rhardig@ bhpsite.org or call (317)631-1888.

Special hanks to the Summer Youth Program Fund, Precision Rings Incorporated, Gracia E. Johnson Foundation, Wing Arts and Humanities Fund, and individual sponsors for their generous support.

Special Thanks to our Partners

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The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s Future Presidents of America program was created in 2015 to deploy our public outreach to promote patriotism and citizenship through educational activities and hands-on encounters with U.S. culture and history. It is designed to help young people grow into leaders who exercise their citizen responsibility by actively participating in civil society.

We strongly believe that this initiative’s greatest impact is as an effective model that can be reproduced nationally.

Through generous partners, we have begun a comprehensive benchmarking initiative, and were able to begin a pilot program this summer.

Thank you to all of our Future Presidents funders including Gracia E. Johnson Foundation, Precision Rings Inc., Summer Youth Program Fund and Wing Arts & Humanities Fund. Thank you also to our Gracia Johnson Floyd Presidential Fellow, Jennifer Hodge, for her hard work in making the national initiative a success!

Now you can support our work through your IRA Our ability to meet our mission is dependent on the generosity of f riends and supporters. Please consider an additional year-end gift to Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. Giving f rom an IRA can reduce or eliminate your need to take the hated required minimum distribution.

In 2015, Congress made permanent a tax law on qualified charitable distributions that allows individuals 70 ½ or older to give directly f rom their IRAs rather than having to take a distribution that would trigger an income-tax bill. If you make a direct transfer from your IRA to a charity, you get to count that money toward your required minimum distributions (RMD)— but because it’s not actually distributed to you, it won’t increase your adjusted gross income.

So, how do you make the transfer? To gift your RMD, contact both your IRA account administrator and the Presidential Site to find out the correct protocol. If you have check-writing privileges for your IRA, you can write a check to us yourself. If not, you may need to direct the IRA administrator cut a check f rom your account. If you have questions or would like more information on giving options, please contact the Bethany Gosewehr, VP of Development, at (317) 631-1888 or bgosewehr@bhpsite.org.

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From the Collection

Oil Portrait, Benjamin Harrison T. C. STEELE (1847-1926) T. C. Steele painted four known portraits of Benjamin Harrison. The one hanging in the front parlor, which has had a remarkable journey through the years, is signed in the lower right Corner “T. C. Steele / 1901.” It was made for John Wanamaker to present to the Union Club in New York City, but instead it hung in his office in Philadelphia for many years. His grandson sold the painting to the museum in 1938. Another original version once hung in the home, but Mary Lord Harrison took it to her New York City apartment. Later, the family gave her copy to Purdue University and it was loaned to the National Portrait Gallery. The other two T. C. Steele paintings of Benjamin Harrison are owned by the University Club of Indianapolis and the US Army.

Seascape S. MILTON (no dates known) The seascape, currently in the nursery, is signed “S. Milton” in the lower right corner. While no information is provided for S. Milton, the style of painting used in this seascape is consistent with the technique popularized during the time in which it was allegedly painted (1898). The use of nature to reflect an overall mood or feeling was very common, and this depiction can very easily be described as colorfully vibrant and emotional. On paper glued to the back, Benjamin Harrison wrote, “…I give as a …gift to my dear little daughter Elizabeth Feb. 21st 1898.” This was, therefore, a present for her first birthday.

Oil Portrait, Anna Symmes Harrison CORNELIA STUART CASSIDY DAVIS (1870-1920) Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Davis studied at the Cincinnati Art Academy under Frank Duveneck, and was a member of the Cincinnati Women’s Art Club. She exhibited and won at the Osborne Competition in NYC in 1906 and created an Ohio suffrage poster in 1912. Her work can also be found in both the Westminster Hall in London and in El Tovar Gallery in the Grand Canyon. The portrait of Anna Symmes Harrison is dated 1893. This is one of the very few known images of Benjamin Harrison’s grandmother, the wife of William Henry Harrison. Davis made this version from an original owned by Mrs. Lewis in Chicago. In our collection, we have four letters from Davis to Benjamin Harrison. In 1895, she states that the painting was made for the Woman’s Building at the World’s Fair (Columbian Exposition), and that she would sell it for $95. Apparently, Harrison held-off, and in 1897 she sent the painting for his inspection at a price of $50. It can be seen on the wall of the back parlor in a 1911 photograph of Mary Lord Harrison, where it still hangs today.

Volunteer and Staff News

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Envisioning a New Volunteer Experience Volunteer Management at the Presidential Site has been reorganized under two positions, beginning in August. This restructuring will assure efficiency while providing daily support for the volunteer corps. Volunteer Manager and Education Specialist David Pleiss oversees the volunteers on a daily basis, schedules them for daily tours and events, records their hours, and acts as the bridge between VP of Education Roger Hardig and the group tour operations in the historic home. New Experience Manager Daniel Bennett evaluates and quantifies volunteer hours while leading the recruitment effort. He also works to enhance education group visitation.

The Volunteer team will also be responsible for keeping the volunteer base actively involved and supported in special events.

WELCOME!

Meet the two newest members of the Presidential Site Team Special Events and Marketing Manager Whitney Ball joined our team in July and is native to Indianapolis with a passion for her hometown. Prior to this position, she worked at the Indiana Convention Center, a pharmaceutical meeting planning company and a charter school.

It has been a dream of Whitney’s to use her expertise in a museum setting.

With over 10 years of corporate event experience she is excited to draw in more clientele and help the community learn more about the Presidential Site.

Daniel Bennett, an Indianapolis native, is our new Experience Manager! Daniel attended an Alaskan Field School for two months as a Museum Studies student through IUPUI. More recently, he was an associate for visitor experiences for six years at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum.

He joined our team on July 8th, and he is excited to combine his love of history with his 6 years of experience in non-profits in ways that will help our volunteer team grow and represent the site to the public and the city of Indianapolis.

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Coming Soon

14TH ANNUAL MARY TUCKER JASPER SPEAKER SERIES and ADVANCING AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AWARD

A LEGACY OF HONOR & SERVICE

BENEFITTING BENJAMIN HARRISON PRESIDENTIAL SITE Monday, November 11 . 6:00 – 9:00 PM Columbia Club, Indianapolis, IN On Veteran’s Day, join us at the Columbia Club to celebrate our military and their legacy of honor, courage and commitment. Plus – be one of the first to enjoy a new, spectacular Monument Circle activation that you won’t want to miss!

The keynote speaker of A Legacy of Honor & Service will be Brian Lamb, Navy veteran, retired founder of CSPAN, and American journalist.

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Coming Soon

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S easonal E xperiences This is the perfect time of year to introduce your family and f riends to the beauty and splendor of the Presidential Site, while the mansion is decked in holiday f inery!

E L ECT I O N DAY L IVE !

N ove m b e r 5 . 1 0 a m - 3 : 3 0 p m

C IVI L WA R D I N N E R * N ove m b e r 6 . 6 p m - 9 p m

It’s 1888 and Indiana’s own Benjamin Harrison is campaigning for the presidency! Come to our polling site to vote and stay to meet the family and staff in the historic mansion. Join the conversation!

In time for Thanksgiving, share a table with our General Benjamin Harrison enactor and his aide de camp while enjoying a delicious candlelit dinner.

The General discusses his wartime experiences and answers your questions.

‘ TWA S T H E N I G H T B E FO R E . . .

Presented by Candlelight Theatre* December 12-15 Performances at 6pm, 2pm Sundays

L IVE ! FA M I LY C H R I ST M A S D e ce m b e r 7 . 1 0 a m - 3 : 3 0 p m It’s 1888 and Indiana’s own Benjamin Harrison has won the presidency!

Come home for the holidays to help the new f irst family celebrate their last Christmas in Indiana before the big move. Join the conversation!

Gather your family close and join us in creating new holiday memories at a special Candlelight Theatre event! “Twas the Night Before…,” written by James Trofatter, offers a heartwarming interactive theatre experience for all ages in the historic Harrison mansion. Meet traditional f igures f rom folklore and make new jolly f riends.

Performances begin every half-hour and last 60-75 minutes.

*Reservations required. For more information, visit PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org or email events@bhpsite.org.

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Coming Soon

NEW! A nnouncing the 2019 - 2020 C andlelight T heatre S eason After 16 years of partnership, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site and Candlelight Theatre are proud to announce the 2019-2020 theatre season!

GHOST TALES OF THE CIVIL WAR October 11 & 12 I 18 & 19 I 26 & 27, 2019 Performances begin at 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2pm on Sunday, with show times every half hour The season begins in October with Ghost Tales of the Civil War by resident playwright, James Trofatter. The stage will encompass most of the mansion, with every scene taking a new twist and turn through historic rooms. It’s perfect for an eerily fun Halloween outing!

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE… December 12 - 15, 2019 Performances begin at 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2pm on Sunday, with show times every half hour The company’s popular holiday tradition by James Trofatter will show in December 2019. This popular production will include beloved characters f rom holiday lore and introduce new festive f riends. With the mansion f rosted in all its holiday f inery, it’s the perfect way to get in the spirit of the season!

THREE COMEDIES OF ERROR April 17 & 18 I 24 & 25 I 26; May 1 & 2, 2020 Performances begin at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2pm on Sunday The company’s spring show, the April 2020 performances will include a trilogy of one-act comedies, rotating through the Presidential mansion, complete with candlelight, historical artifacts and the rich ambiance of President Harrison’s original furnishings.

MURDER AT THE MANOR July 10 - 12 I 17 - 19, 2020 Performances begin at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2pm on Sunday The season will conclude in the Summer of 2020 with Murder at the Manor

by Jo Smedley, an interactive murder mystery play, where the audience will help solve the crime.

Candlelight Theatre 2019-2020 season tickets are now on sale. Please direct questions to the Special Events and Marketing Manager: (317) 631-1888 or email events@bhpsite.org.

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