Volume 41, Issue 2
April - June 2015
It’s easy to see why Caroline Harrison enjoyed painting blossoms of an Indiana spring. Like a coat of many colors, the campus of the Presidential Site shines brightly in the heart of our city. Yellow daffodils and red tulips compliment the white vintage lilacs. It’s the perfect backdrop for school picnics, the annual croquet tournament, and our first annual Presidential Egg Roll. The prime time to experience the gardens is late April to early May, although buds will be opening throughout the spring and summer, under the supervision of our expert volunteer gardeners. Such manicured gardens don’t come easily or quickly. The landscape has been made possible by the diligence of our amazing volunteers and partners. It’s been planned, planted, and groomed as if the Harrison family was still here caring for it. Visit the president’s mansion this year and picnic on the grounds. Enjoy your tour, both inside and outside, of this National Historic Landmark. There are ten different vibrant sections in our gardens, but here are three highlights!
-- Ken and Georgia Hottell, David Pleiss
Remembering a Friend
The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site recently lost a great friend and volunteer. Steven Neal was part of the team of gardeners who share their time and talents with the Presidential Site. A talented Master Gardener, Steve faithfully tended our historic gardens every week and helped to make them the beautiful community gathering place that they are today. Memorial gifts in honor of Steve Neal are being committed to the Presidential Site gardens to continue to preserve and transform these beautiful public spaces for the future. -- Ashleigh Graves-Roesler
From the President On April 13, 1897, Benjamin Harrison made a speech to the Indianapolis Commercial Club (now known as the Chamber of Commerce). In it, he boldly asserted that Indianapolis is “no mean city”, carrying forward the crucial idea that a great community must actively invest in itself:
The Benjamin Harrison Presidential “But the ideal city must have other excellences. It must Site be a city where people diligently mind their own business 1230 N. Delaware St. Indianapolis, IN 46202 317.631.1888
of no mean city” was first chiseled into the cornerstone of City Hall—and ever since, into the hearts of our community. The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site carries forward this great civic legacy today. With over 10,000 items in our collection, we are blessed with an abundance of cultural treasures. You know that preserving the home of our 23rd president is about both saving a landmark and, by extension, the greater memory of an age.
and the public business, and do both with a decent regard to the judgment and rights of other men… a city whose citizens are brave and Looking Back, But it’s also about progress. Even true and generous, and who care for their own…a city whose people Thinking Forward as we’re looking back, we’re thinking forward. As 2015 unfolds, live in homes, where there is room we will share some of the new ways that for a morning glory or a sweet pea; where fresh air is not delivered in pint cups; where the children we will become the most civically engaged presidential can every day feel the spring of Nature’s green carpet… site in the country—from Future Presidents of America where brains and manners, and not bank balances, give youth leadership camp (learn more on page 6) to ratings to men; where there is neither flaunting wealth innovative special exhibits and partnerships. We are in nor envious poverty; where life is comfortable and toil a dynamic age, and for those with vision, passion, and a honorable; where municipal reformers are not hysterical, greater sense of purpose there are unlimited opportunities but have the habit of keeping cool…where the commerce to affect positive growth and change. in goods is great, but not greater than the exchanges of thought and of neighborly kindness. We have not realized The Presidential Site is pulsing with energy and all these things. We count not ourselves to have attained, expectation of great things to come. This is “no mean city”…and no mean museum! but we follow after.”
A decade later, Indianapolis mayor Charles Bookwalter echoed this theme. His cri de coeur, “I am myself a citizen Charles A. Hyde, President & CEO
Presidential Site Team
Our mission is to increase public understanding of, appreciation for, and participation in the American system of selfgovernment through the life stories, arts and culture of an American President.
Charles A. Hyde President & CEO
Margaret Sallee Director of Operations
Jennifer Capps VP of Curatorship & Exhibition
Ashleigh Graves-Roesler VP of Development
Roger Hardig VP of Education
David Pleiss Director of Learning Resources
Stacy Clark Events Specialist
Julio Zepeda Facilities Manager
Gary Larreategui Weekend Supervisor
Ann A. Homrighous Volunteer Manager
Volume 41, Issue 2
PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org
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Photo courtesy of Jason Lavengood.
Plan Your Year April 4 Presidential Egg Roll
July 4 Independence Day Social
April 17-18, 24-26 and May 1-2 Good-Night, Caroline presented by Candlelight Theatre
August 20 Civil War Dinner
July 2 Naturalization Ceremony
October 9-10 and 16-18 Hoosier Haunts presented by Candlelight Theatre
The
December 5 ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and LIVE: Family Christmas December 16 A Candlelight Evening on Delaware Street
MARY TUCKER JASPER Speaker Series Volume 41, Issue 2
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William Henry Harrison (1773-1841)
Letitia Tyler (1790-1842)
Zachary Taylor (1784-1850)
James Garfield (1831-1881)
Ellen Wilson (1860-1914)
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
William McKinley (1843-1901)
Warren G. Harding (1865-1923)
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945)
John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)
The Harrison Family In Mourning
The Harrison White House was always bustling with energy, but it was also touched by tragedy. In the winter of 1891-1892, First Lady Caroline Harrison was ill with bouts of bronchial infection. In March, she developed catarrhal pneumonia, followed by hemorrhages of the lungs. She was taken by train to Loon Lake in the Adirondack Mountains in July in hopes that the mountain air would help her condition. Caroline’s condition deteriorated. The medical diagnosis was announced as tuberculosis, with little hope of recovery. Surgery was performed to drain the fluids from the pleural cavity of the right lung. On September 20, she was brought back to the White House, where she died after an uncomplaining struggle on Tuesday, October 25, 1892. Funeral services were held in the East Room, followed by a private family service the morning of October 27th. Find out more by visiting the new exhibit. Caroline Scott Harrison (1832-1892) --- Jennifer Capps
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Ike Hoover was White House Usher during the Harrison Administration. He detailed the daily lives of the family in his book 42 Years in the White House. He noted that the president always kept a calm demeanor, and took long strolls into the neighborhood after lunch. He also played billiards in the basement with his younger family members. First Lady Caroline Harrison took a very active role in managing the home. The kitchen was torn-out and modernized, flooring replaced, new bathrooms installed, and greenhouses built outside. Son Russell and daughter Mary brought their families and stayed for long periods of time---sometimes bringing so many that other housing had to be found nearby. The close-knit Harrison family enjoyed the White House. There are many newspaper stories of President Harrison and the grandchildren: Baby McKee stirring the spittoon with important state papers or having story time with grandpa. The children had many pets to play with, including two dogs and two opossums. A goat named “Old Whiskers” pulled them around the lawn on a cart. One day, the goat ran out of the gate, the kids still in-tow. The president pursued on foot and finally caught up to the runaway party on Pennsylvania Avenue. Learn more at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org. --- Jennifer Capps
The president’s son Russell and granddaughter Marthena on the left; grandchildren “Baby” McKee with his sister Mary Lodge McKee on the right.
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Ann Homrighous joined the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s staff on February 23rd. A graduate of Indiana State University and Indiana University-Indianapolis, Ann comes to the Presidential Site with experience and background in volunteer management and community outreach. Ann has previously worked for Indiana University Hospital, Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, and Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. ”It’s a privilege to work with such exceptional volunteers. The Presidential Site has a great reputation for the the quality of its volunteer programming.” Ann’s office is next to the volunteer lounge. Stop by, introduce yourself, and don’t hesitate to sign up on the calendar to volunteer. Contact her at 317.631.1888 or at ahomrighous@bhpsite.org.
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A summer highlight at the Presidential Site is the patriotic ceremony held on the south lawn naturalizing nearly 100 new U.S. citizens. Viewing the ceremony and witnessing the oath taken by these new citizens is a powerful reminder of what it means to be a part of this great nation of ours. President Harrison was instrumental in the development of Ellis Island and the reformation of the immigration process. We continue his legacy by hosting of this important ceremony. We hope you will join us this year on Thursday, July 2, 10am-11am. This event is free and open to the public.
1230 N. Delaware Street, I
1230 N. Dela
Photos courtesy of Ryan Wing
ood-Night, Caroline
Photos courtesy of Ryan Wing
hilarity that ensues as the usual calm and quiet of night becomes chaotic, comedic and ridiculous in Good-Night, Caroline - a collection of three one-act vintage comedies at the Presidential Site this spring. Each play is performed in a different room of the Enjoy the hilarity that ensues as the usual calm and quiet of night becomes chaotic, comedic and mplete with candlelight the richinambiance of original Harrison furnishings. Good-Night, CarolinePresident - a collection of three one-act vintage comedies all-togetherand ridiculous
Good-Night, Caroline
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Photos courtesy of R
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OU TO OURTHANK SEASON YOUPARTNERS: TO OUR SEASON PARTNERS:
THANK YOU OUR SEASON PARTNERS: THANK TOTO OUR SEASON PARTNERS: THANK YOU TO OUR YOU SEASON PARTNERS:
This program has been made possible through a matching grant from Indiana Humanities in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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PRESIDENTIAL SITE HOURS Open For Tours Monday-Saturday, 10am-3:30pm. Offices Open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm.
Good-Night Caroline Three One-Act Chaotic Comedies Presented by Candlelight Theatre at the
BENJAMIN HARRISON PRESIDENTIAL SITE
April 17-18, 24-26, and May 1-2