The Statesman | May-August 2023

Forging Bonds of Prosperity & Peace

Brian Hewitt, Chair

Donna Oklak, Vice Chair

Jeremy Davis, Treasurer

Morgan Snyder, Secretary

Carolyn E. Anker, Past Chair

Robert Altice

Teresa A. Bennett

Lisa Boncosky

Latoya Botteron

Lloyd Crowe

Rosemary Dorsa

Erin Dorsey

Eric J. Holcomb

Will Lonnemann

Konye Ori

Rod Taylor

EX-OFFICIO

Ellis Hall, 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

James Kirsch

James Morris

Kimball Harrison Morsman

Susanne S. Ridlen

ADVISORY CABINET

William A. Browne, Jr.

Whitney Ebmeyer

Daniel F. Evans

J. Scott Keller

John L. Krauss

Howard “HJ” Lacy IV

Elizabeth Mann

Jenry Morsman

Andrea Neal

Peter Rusthoven

David Sease

Kameelah Shaheed-Diallo

Ed Simcox

James Wallis

Michael W. Wells

JENNIFER CAPPS VP of Curatorship & Exhibition

IFEOMA AKOBI Morsman Family Presidential Fellow for Advancement

DANIEL BENNETT Experience Manager

BETHANY GOSEWEHR VP of Development

MOLLY BEAUSIR Russell and Penny Fortune Project POTUS Presidential Fellow

ROGER HARDIG VP of Education

JENNIFER HODGE Gracia Johnson Floyd Presidential Fellow

JAYNE HOFFMAN Weekend Supervisor

LINDSEY BECKLEY Special Events & Marketing Manager

CARCHELLE BETHEL Director of Finance and Operations

SHANÉT WALLACE Special Events Coordinator

ALEXIS PRICE Social Media & Content Coordinator

JULIO ZEPEDA Facilities Manager

GARY LARREATEGUI Weekend Supervisor

JAMIE MITTMAN Volunteer & Relationship Coordinator

CHARLES A. HYDE President & CEO

Promoting an Intelligent Patriotism

On May 18th of this year, many of you will join us in marking the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s “Grand Inaugural Celebration,” a special dedication of the more than $6 million in capital campaign improvements we’ve made to the National Historic Landmark property and grounds over the past two years. However, I hope you will see—as we do—that while this concludes major construction, it represents a new beginning.

It would be fair to ask, “A new beginning of what?” As the Harrison residence approaches its 150th anniversary in 2024, we are focused on the century to come, building from the capital campaign’s newly laid foundations and amplifying our outreach initiatives. While we are already well known as one the signature field trips in Indiana for 3rd and 4th grade students, our aspirations are greater yet in scope, scale, and measurable impact.

Think of the Johnson-Floyd Family Presidential Commons as more than a point of entry, as it is situated at the very crossroads of civic literacy. The Sarah Evans Barker Citizenship Plaza is a place of reflection calling upon us all to celebrate our rights as citizens but also harkening to our obligations. The Stan & Sandy Hurt Presidential Promenade traces step by step nearly 250 years of American history, and gives cause for pause and reflection as to our triumphs and shortcomings as a nation—with space set aside for the next century of presidential leadership.

It would be easy to rest upon these laurels, but we recognize there is much work yet to accomplish. Did you know that federal investment in government and civics education is equivalent to $0.05 per year, compared to $50 per student per year for STEM? While STEM education is needed, we are doing ourselves a disservice if we do not invest in helping the rising generations understand and appreciate what is best about our country, and how they can take an active part in shaping its future. Surely, we must give as much forethought to the architecture of perpetuating civil society as the civil engineer does to the infrastructure of bridges and buildings.

To borrow from Benjamin Harrison’s assertion in his book, “This Country of Ours,” these efforts “may also tend to promote an intelligent patriotism and a faithful discharge of the duties of citizenship.” You will find in the coming months, years, and decades that this will be our unrelenting aim. We are helping impart the knowledge and perspective between generations for our American system of self-government to continue to thrive beyond May 18th and for many years to come.

We thank each of you for being part of that effort. Now let’s really get started!

Charles A. Hyde, President & CEO

Cover image courtesy of Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site

MAY 2023

COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR

FRIDAY, MAY 5 8:30AM–9:00AM

GRAND INAUGURAL RE-OPENING CELEBRATION

THURSDAY, MAY 18 3:30PM–5:00PM

PRESIDENTIAL PORCH PARTY

THURSDAY, MAY 18 5:00PM–7:00PM

JUNE 2023

COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR

FRIDAY, JUNE 2 8:30AM–9:00AM

JUNETEENTH FOODWAYS FESTIVAL

FRIDAY, JUNE 16 3:30PM–8:00PM*

NATURALIZATION CEREMONY

FRIDAY, JUNE 30 10:00AM –11:00AM

JULY 2023

INDEPENDENCE DAY SOCIAL

TUESDAY, JULY 4 . 11:00AM–2:00PM

COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR

FRIDAY, JULY 7 . 8:30AM–9:00AM

AUGUST 2023

COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4 . 8:30AM–9:00AM

WICKET WORLD OF CROQUET

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12 10:00AM–4:30PM*

LIVE! PRESIDENT HARRISON’S BIRTHDAY

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 11:00AM–3:00PM*

OFF THE RECORD: CONGRESS CONFIDENTIAL

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23 . 9:00AM–11:00AM*

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:

May 5 Presidents and Cars (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live)

. June 2 Caroline Scott Harrison Art (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live)

July 7 On the March: John Phillip Sousa and Harrison (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live)

August 4 Harrison’s Birthday: The Big 1-9-0 (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.

New Exhibit to Showcase Home of Hoosier President Harrison

Marilyn Odendahl

“Shortly after Benjamin Harrison received word in June of 1888 that he had been nominated for the presidency, he stepped outside to speak to the crowd of 8,000 people who had converged on his lawn and told them that his home would remain a welcoming place.

“My house will always open its doors gladly to any of you when you may desire to see me,” Harrison said.

Harrison’s home in the Old Northside Neighborhood of Indianapolis is now the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, and it will be put into the spotlight as part of a new exhibit. “Residential to Presidential: 150 Years with the Harrisons” will explore the history of the structure as a home, a dormitory for music students and, finally, a memorial to the 23rd president.

The presidential site boasts that 75% to 80% of the artifacts that visitors see when they tour the house are original to Harrison and his family. One of the artifacts that will be part of the exhibit is the guestbook from the late 1930s that was signed by some of the most prominent Hoosiers of the day, including the governor, mayors and judges.”

Read the full article at InsideIndiana Business.com

CIRCLE CITY TALK

Indianapolis and the Death of President Benjamin Harrison

Chris Wakefield

“Only 28 cities have had the misfortune of being the location of United States presidential deaths. Some are more famous than others. The throngs of unsuspecting onlookers in Dallas, Texas, who watched the brutal assassination of a young and ambitious John F Kennedy. The citizens in Wilton, New York were among the first to learn that former President and Civil War hero Ulysses S. Grant had lost his year-long battle with throat cancer. And lest we forget the city of Washington DC watching the last desperate and shallow breaths of Abraham Lincoln in the middle of what would have otherwise been a typical warm spring evening.

But what happened when the eyes of the world were focused on Indianapolis during the death and funeral of the 23rd United States President, Benjamin Harrison? From what we can tell, it was anything but ordinary.”

Read the full article on circlecitytalk.com.

Benjamin Harrison and the INTERAMERICAN CONFERENCE OF 1889–1890

Few have noticed that in the realm of foreign policy and international relations, Benjamin Harrison made history as President of the United States. He articulated a vision of the world and America’s role in the world that served as a model for American policymakers in the 20th and 21st centuries. Until now, in the exhibit “Pan American,” that achievement has been under-appreciated.

The assumption of most historians, scholars, and commentators is that the primary driving force of foreign policy in the Harrison Administration was Secretary of State James G. Blaine. The standard interpretation is that Harrison chose the more charismatic and expressive Blaine as Secretary of State in order to prevent him from seeking the presidency on his own. As a result, Harrison chose Blaine and then stepped to the side as the Maine Republican crafted foreign policy in the late 1880s and early 1890s.

The actual record shows that Harrison was an insightful president, a shrewd politician, and above all, a visionary leader.

Harrison consulted with one of his closest advisors, Murat Halstead, before making Blaine Secretary of State in early 1889. Halstead observed that Lincoln had also chosen a personal and political rival of his own—William Seward—to be Secretary of State. Halstead added a crucial point: Lincoln sent Seward a frank, candid private letter outlining his expectations for Seward’s conduct at the State Department. Harrison liked the technique.

Harrison embraced Lincoln’s approach and then went one important step further. Before sending the completed private letter to Blaine, Harrison poured over a draft original copy. He wrote and reflected, edited and analyzed, re-wrote and finalized, an exhaustive process that produced the precisely-worded letter that he ultimately dispatched to Blaine. Harrison amplified Lincoln’s approach, implementing a “Lincoln-Plus” model of leadership. It’s a lesson that can serve leaders today who are faced with selecting vital members of their teams.

But there is more to be learned from Harrison’s letter to Blaine. The letter suggests a different dimension of Harrison’s leadership and his historic work as president in foreign policy.

WRITTEN BY DANIEL T. MILLER, PHD, HISTORICAL SOLUTIONS LLC

Harrison’s strenuous approach to the Blaine letter showed that he had a unique vision for America’s role in the world. Harrison was emphatic in asserting that Blaine had to focus on relations with Central America and South America. Harrison believed that the United States had a special

Harrison identified a theme of American western hemispheric relations that predated him in the Monroe Doctrine of the 1820s as well as his predecessor, Grover Cleveland. Cleveland had acted to organize an “Inter-American” meeting before he left the White House. Harrison seized upon the event and made this “Inter-American Conference” his first step to improved American relations in Central and South America. Harrison also knew Blaine agreed with the western hemispheric policy, but interestingly, he nevertheless repeated the importance of it in his private letter to his new Secretary of State. Harrison was taking no chances of any misunderstanding on the point.

Harrison led the effort to form the American delegation to the Inter-American Conference. He included men who were leaders in the private sector and the public sector, from all regions of the nation, and from both the Democratic and Republican parties. The group, including Andrew Carnegie in his first major international service, was a set of intelligent, serious, and duty-minded men. The group was a driving force at the Conference.

Months later, during his unprecedented tour of the American nation, Harrison returned again and again to Central and South America as the basis of American foreign policy. In his numerous speeches in cities and towns across the United States, Harrison spoke eloquently on the need for peaceful American conduct predicated on shared economic prosperity, mutual respect, and widespread individual freedom. He looked to new naval developments as critical to maintaining order and security necessary for that vision. And he rooted American global success in a healthy, vibrant, and engaged American republic at home. Harrison embodied a bold and vigorous view of American foreign policy and international relations.

Benjamin Harrison peered into the century ahead and saw his vision of an American future.

“I AM ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF OUR RELATIONS WITH THE CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN STATES. WE MUST WIN THEIR CONFIDENCE BY DESERVING IT. IT WILL NOT COME UPON DEMAND.”

1888 In the first recording of an American president, this was the voice of Benjamin Harrison. His speech begins,

[Listen to the recording]

DID YOU

Know?

FROM PAN-AMERICAN TO PAN AM GAMES:

Almost exactly one century after President Benjamin Harrison inaugurated the Pan-American Conference, his hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana would host the 1987 Pan-American Games. In many ways, it was a comingof-age experience for the city, demonstrating the success of the amateur sports strategy it had employed, and helping bring Indianapolis to greater prominence on a national and international stage. Over 4,300 athletes competed, representing 38 countries, and bringing around $175 million to Indianapolis’s economy.

SEE FOR YOURSELF! Special Exhibit “Pan American: Forging Bonds of Prosperity and Peace” opens on May 18, 2023 and is included in general admission.

“As president of the United States, I was present at the first Pan-American Congress in Washington, D.C. I fully believe that with God’s help, our two countries shall continue to live side by side in peace and prosperity.”

Admission to the Union is provided by the Admissions Clause of the United States Constitution, which went into effect on June 21, 1788 in the nine states that had ratified it, and the U.S. federal government began operations under it on March 4, 1789, when it was in effect in 11 out of the 13 states. Since then, 37 states have been admitted into the Union.

ORIGINAL 13 STATES: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island

George Washington (1789-1797) admitted: Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee

Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809) admitted: Ohio

James Madison (1809-1817) admitted: Louisiana and Indiana

James Monroe (1817-1825) admitted: Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Maine, and Missouri

Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) admitted: Arkansas and Michigan

John Tyler (1841-1845) admitted: Florida

James K. Polk (1845-1849) admitted: Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin

Millard Fillmore (1850-1853) admitted: California

James Buchanan (1857-1861) admitted: Minnesota, Oregon, and Kansas

Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) admitted: West Virginia and Nevada

Andrew Johnson (1865-1869) admitted: Nebraska

Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877) admitted: Colorado

Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893) admitted: North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming

Grover Cleveland (1893-1897) admitted: Utah

Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) admitted: Oklahoma

William Howard Taft (1909-1913) admitted: New Mexico and Arizona

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961) admitted: Alaska and Hawaii

The first blossom on the “Autumnalis” cherry tree in Sarah Evans Barker Citizenship Plaza bloomed during the 8th annual Presidential Egg Roll on April 1, 2023. Over 200 children and adults braved a bright but blustery day and enjoyed a fun morning on the south lawn.

Want to learn more about educational programs for the students in your life? Go to bhpsite.org/ learn/education/ to find out more today!

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.

Hello! My name is Sarah Stark. I am a fourth grade teacher at Saint Maria Goretti in Westfield, IN. I live in Noblesville, IN with my husband and 3-year-old son. I have been in education for 19 years, and have spent the majority of my teaching career in fourth grade. In my opinion, fourth grade is one of the most exciting years to teach Social Studies. To be able to travel to places that we learn about in our lessons is so valuable.

Many organizations around Indiana provide amazing resources for fourth grade students and teachers. The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is one of these organizations. This year was my 12th (missed a year due to the pandemic) visit to the Presidential Site. I would highly recommend this trip to any Hoosier (old or young!). My students and I look forward to this visit each year. His house is well taken care of; the students really enjoy seeing what things looked like or would have looked like in Benjamin’s home. Going on the tour of the house offers many lessons on what life was like in the early days for Hoosiers. Our tour guides have always been well educated on the Harrison family and this time in history. My students have always felt comfortable asking questions throughout our visit. Even with visiting so many times, I find myself learning a new fact or two each time.

Besides touring the house to learn about the Harrison family, my students attend the Settlers and Surveyors program. This program uses a hands-on approach to teach the students what life was like for settlers as they moved to the open area of Indiana, how to set up a town, and why they chose to do things the way they did. We especially enjoy working with Mr. Roger Hardig. He is full of knowledge of our state and country and adds some humor to his lessons as well. The students and parent chaperones enjoy listening to him. My class discusses what we have learned during this program through our year in Social Studies.

We are so thankful for this opportunity to visit the Presidential Site each year!

SARAH STARK

SAINT MARIA GORETTI FOURTH GRADE WESTFIELD, INDIANA

Benjamin Harrison personally kept track of the of the house’s construction during 1874 and 1875 in this book. This “Perpetual Diary” contains records of architects, consultants, and building contractors. It is an invaluable source of information about not only the building of the house, but also of the companies conducting business in Indianapolis at the time.

The first page from the very first visitor register. It is dated June 25, 1938, the 50th anniversary of Benjamin Harrison’s presidential nomination and the opening date of the Memorial. Do you see any names that you recognize? The first signature is Matthias L. Haines (1850-1941), Pastor Emeritus from the First Presbyterian Church a post he held for over 50 years. On the back (page2) are signature of Harrison family members: dated October 15, 1938 – Mary Lord Harrison (Mrs. Benjamin Harrison), Elizabeth Harrison Walker (daughter), and – no date J. R. McKee (son-in-law).

Other names of note: James E. Watson, former House of Representatives and Senator from Indiana, Lewis Ludlow “Member of Congress,” and Herman B. Wells, President of Indiana University.

TOUR TICKETS

Early tour tickets made similar to Victorian calling cards state that “Visiting Hours” are 10am to 4pm. On the back written in pencil is a note stating “Open at 12:00 Today.”

BENJAMIN HARRISON’S PERPETUAL DIARY 1874–1875

In the last month, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site was deeply saddened by the loss of two exceptional veteran volunteers, Jim Johnson and Martha Buehner. We treasure every volunteer who chooses to give their time and talents to our organization, but the impact Jim and Martha left on the museum will be felt for years to come.

From portraying our beloved butler “Charles” on live reenactment days, inspiring students with his tours around the museum, and giving his vocal talents to provide voice-overs for promotional materials, there wasn’t an area of the Presidential Site that Jim didn’t have a stake in. In addition to leading tours at the Presidential Site, he volunteered as a tour guide with the Indiana State Capitol to educate the public about his beloved state. After his passing, Jim was honored as a Sagamore of the Wabash recipient for his service to the state of Indiana. Jim was a great man who will be missed dearly by his natural family and his family at the Presidential Site.

Martha was an education superstar. After over 40 years teaching first graders, she brought her unique skills to the Presidential Site and inspired countless adults and students during her many years of service here. Martha served as a weekly docent and worked with our Future Presidents of America program every year. The first Future Presidents of America program began in 2015, and Martha had been there for every single one. She worked primarily as a mentor for the students and loved each of them dearly.

A unique educational program offered at the Presidential Site was named after Martha’s unique way of teaching her first-grade students about the Pledge of Allegiance. Martha explained the pledge as a promise you make to be a good student, a good citizen, and to help in your community. The program was named A Pledge is a Promise and teaches students about adopting the Pledge of Allegiance and the civic responsibility of American citizens.

We will continue to share the spirit of Jim and Martha in hopes they will inspire future generations of visitors at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site as they over many years.

Among the many improvements made through the recent capital campaign, further restoration of the Harrison’s residence across three floors of the residence has been a priority. This builds upon the work of many years, most recently in 2008–2009 as the front parlor, back parlor, and library were meticulously restored, and corresponding window treatments added, with period lace curtains funded through a generous grant made by THE QUESTERS.

THE QUESTERS is an entirely volunteer organization dedicated to the study, conservation and preservation for today’s historical objects. With their local chapter in Lockerbie Square, we are pleased to share that they recently awarded the Presidential Site a grant in order to restore the remaining window treatments to 1880s period appropriate lace.

During the Harrison period, most of the house’s windows appear to have been provided with roller shades hung between the sash and the inside blinds and most appear to have been screened with lace sheer curtains beyond the interior face of the blinds. In 2022 and 2023, rooms and halls have been restored with historic paint colors discovered in the recent paint analysis along with reproduction wallpapers hand drawn to match what is seen in original 1888 photographs. However, the front stairway window and many of the rooms still had lace from the 1970’s restoration. THE QUESTERS gift will complement and complete this important transformation of the first floor and entry hall leading up to the front stairway window once installed later this summer. We thank them for their generous support!

We would also like to thank Presidential Site volunteers Sherri Nagel-Smith and James Douglas Smith for their gift in support of the purchasing historic lace.

Above left: Current treatments in the Harrison master bedroom.

Left: THE QUESTERS presented a check to the Presidential Site on April 13, 2023.

Thank You To Our Supporters

As we near the concluding celebration for our Old Glory, New Vision capital campaign (May 18th at 3:30PM –see you there!), we are honored to thank the many supporters that helped us make this campaign such an overwhelming success.

This campaign marked a milestone in our 50+ year history undertaking our first-ever capital campaign. Our initial financial goal was to raise $6 million to make significant improvements to the residence and create a stunning gateway public space on the south lawn designed to overcome long-time challenges of visibility and perceived lack of access. Additionally, plans were made to make high use of the I-65 construction to be able to create a beautiful Neighborway reconnecting the Old Northside to the rest of downtown.

At the successful conclusion of the campaign, $6.86 million was raised from 535 unique donors. Exceeding the goal allowed us to make even more improvements to the residence including new wallpaper, new carpeting, repairs to the slate roof, installation of copper gutters, improving accessibility on grounds, and increasing elevator access to the museum.

We are grateful for this vibrant community of support, and are excited to invite you on grounds to see the realization of our ambitious goals. See for yourself on your next visit or go online to OldGloryNewVision.org.

Want to join the festivities on May 18? RSVP today to Vice President of Development, Bethany Gosewehr at bgosewehr@bhpsite.org.

Judge Sarah Evans Barker, Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, and Kenneth Barker join President & CEO Charlie Hyde for the dedication of the Sarah Evans Barker Citizenship Plaza.

Planning For The Future?

Our ability to meet our mission is dependent on the generosity of friends and supporters. An increased endowment is imperative in providing lasting sustainability.

ENDOW BENJAMIN HARRISON PRESIDENTIAL SITE WITH THE STROKE OF A PEN. Through a charitable bequest in your will or living trust, you can ensure that the Presidential Site will continue to share the life stories, arts and culture of an American President to increase public participation in the American system of self-government. This thoughtful act, which has little or no current financial impact on you, may result in the largest and most lasting one-time gift you ever make to the Presidential Site.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU NOW. Our 1888 Legacy Society provides lifetime recognition to donors who have included the Presidential Site in their estate plan. All you need to do is tell the Presidential Site that your plan is in place and that you have no objection to being publicly listed in the 1888 Legacy Society honor roll.

If you have questions or would like more information on giving options contact Bethany Gosewehr, Vice President of Development at (317) 631-1888 or bgosewehr@bhpsite.org.

Above left: New Neighborway connecting Pennsylvania and Talbott Streets.

Left: Portico in the Johnson-Floyd Family Presidential Commons.

Special Events

JUNETEENTH FOODWAYS FESTIVAL: MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF ELI LILLY AND COMPANY FOUNDATION

JUNE 16, 2023

3:30–4:30 PM EARLY ACCESS PASS

4:30–8:00 PM FREE GENERAL ADMISSION

Come see, taste, celebrate and experience for yourself how Black cuisine adds flavor to America’s favorite foods.

Join us as we help celebrate the many ways in which Black culinary traditions have influenced American culture by exploring the story of White House chef Dolly Johnson and promoting local Black-owned businesses. The public is invited to join us at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site for this FREE event where they can enjoy the delectable offerings of our food partners, browse with our retail partners, and learn about Dolly Johnson, the White House Chef hired by President Benjamin Harrison.

Dolly Johnson is brought to life through an reenactment in partnership with Freetown Village.

With a wide array of some of Indianapolis’ most delectably diverse food offerings, this event will incorporate Black restaurants and entrepreneurship through Black cuisine and program partnerships with historically Black non-profit partners, and shares the importance of Juneteenth.

Want to get ahead of the crowd? Get your “Early Access Pass” for only $20 and join us from 3:30-4:30 PM!

Registration is required. Reserve your space or purchase your Early Access Pass at PresidentBenjaminHarrion.org.

If you have questions about this event, please contact Lindsey Beckley, Special Events and Marketing Manager at events@bhpsite.org or 317-631-1888.

Special Events

WICKET WORLD OF CROQUET

PRESENTED BY THE LACY FOUNDATION

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12

10:00 AM—4:30 PM

Looking for a wicketly good time?

Join us for the 29th annual Wicket World of Croquet! Don your dress whites and prepare for one of the most unique events in Indy! Whether you’re looking to test your skills on the croquet court or enjoy a day filled with food, drinks, music, and more, there is something for everyone at the Wicket World of Croquet.

Want to sit back and watch the show? Join the Porch Party to enjoy delectable offerings from your favorite Indy food and drink partners while you cheer on your favorite team and enjoy the beautifully renovated Presidential Site grounds.

Please note: this is a rain or shine event. Advanced registration is required and this event will sell out, so find your tickets today at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org

If you have questions about this event, please contact Lindsey Beckley, Special Events and Marketing Manager at events@bhpsite.org or 317-631-1888.

OFF THE RECORD: CONGRESS CONFIDENTIAL

INDIANA ROOF BALLROOM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23

9:00 AM—11:00 AM

Schoolhouse Rock taught us how a bill becomes a law but the legislative branch is more complicated than “Bill” may have led us to believe! Join us as we seek to understand the steps taken that are not covered in the song.

Panelists include: Bill Moreau, former chief of staff for Senator Evan Bayh and current president of the Indiana Citizen Education Foundation; Mel Raines, former chief of staff for Representative Susan Brooks and current president & COO of the Indiana Pacers; and Vanessa Sinders, founder of Green Sinders Consulting and former Senior Vice President for Government Affairs at Charter Spectrum.

Moderating this illustrious panel will be Robin Winston, co-founder and principal of the Winston/Terrell Group and frequent guest on Inside Indiana Business.

If you have questions about this event, please contact Bethany Gosewehr, Vice President of Development at bgosewehr@bhpsite.org or 317-631-1888.