The Statesman | September - December 2023

MEET THE FUTURE PRESIDENTS

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

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.

Lloyd Crowe

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 Director of Museum Experiences

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

CHARLES A. HYDE President & CEO

“Harrison’s History”

Hot off the press! The summer 2023 edition of Preservation magazine, published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, features a two-page spread on the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. This impartial recognition of the substantial improvements we’ve made (that is, that you’ve helped to make!) is a ringing endorsement of the national significance of our National Historic Landmark, and the continued relevancy of the 23rd president.

The Old Glory, New Vision capital campaign made that work all the more evident. We have long stewarded a nationally-significant collection of 10,000 artifacts that share special insight into the life stories, arts, and culture of an American president. But we are excited to officially announce that due to the generosity of Harrison family descendants, an additional 1,000 items—including personal effects, photographs, family history, and over 700 letters between the Harrisons and their inner circle—have been donated to the museum. These items—never before academically explored by a historian—are being fully catalogued, transcribed, digitized, and will soon be made available for scholarship to historians in the newly completed Harrison Family Presidential Research Library. Further complementing this is another historical trove of primary source observation, with the family of the Harrison’s seamstress sharing her personal daily journal with us for the first time, in which she describes her daily life with Caroline and Benjamin Harrison and their lives together in the White House. Transcription (and translation, in parts!) of this extensive diary is nearly completed, and we look forward to sharing more of that remarkable story as part of our two special exhibits in 2024.

We believe this all will be invaluable, and provide altogether new and unvarnished perspective into the lives of President Benjamin Harrison and First Lady Caroline Harrison, and the era they both experienced and helped to shape through their actions and initiative. These new collection additions represent unparalleled new content and materials for us to share and draw from in sharing the larger arc of American history.

As the 23rd President said, “We are citizens of one country, having one flag and one destiny.” This sentiment embodies respect for the past, while acknowledging that this one destiny represents our shared obligations to the present and the future as community members and citizens of the United States. We look forward to engaging you and providing new opportunities through our programs and events in the coming months to engage fully in advancing our shared system of self-government.

We are grateful for your support in helping us to do our part, both for this generation and for the future—it is a gift that in giving benefits us all.

Very sincerely yours,

Charles A. Hyde, President & CEO

Cover image by KK Sabo, Future Presidents of America alumna and 2023 Ambassador.

SEPTEMBER 2023

COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 8:30AM–9:00AM

NIGHT AT THE SITE: MEMBERS ONLY EVENT*

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 . 6:00PM–8:00PM

OCTOBER 2023

COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6 8:30AM–9:00AM

MURDER AT THE MANOR*

OCTOBER 13–14, 20–21, 28–29

PRESENTED BY CANDLELIGHT THEATRE*

PERFORMANCES START AT 6 PM AND 8 PM FRI–SAT, 2 PM AND 4 PM SUNDAYS

NOVEMBER 2023

COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR

FRIDAY, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 . 8:30AM–9:00AM

PRESIDENTIAL SPEAKER SERIES*

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9 6:00PM–9:00PM

INDIANA ROOF BALLROOM

TAPS: A MUSICAL SALUTE

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 6:00PM

ONSITE AND FACEBOOK LIVE

DECEMBER 2023

COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 8:30AM–9:00AM

LIVE! FAMILY CHRISTMAS*

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 . 10:00AM–3:00PM

‘TIS THE SEASON*

DECEMBER 15, 16, & 17 PRESENTED BY CANDLELIGHT THEATRE*

PERFORMANCES START AT 6 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:

. September 1 The Senator from Indiana

(onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live)

October 6 A First Lady of Firsts

(onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live)

. November 3 A Tale of Two Presidents

(onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live)

December 1 Family Christmas

(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.

Ohio-born President Benjamin Harrison’s remodeled Indiana home a treasure trove of history

Steve Stephens

“Ohio may be called “The Mother of Presidents,” but the state doesn’t really get credit for native son Benjamin Harrison, who moved to Indiana as a young man and considered himself a Hoosier for the rest of his life.

Raise Your Right Hand: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Naturalization Ceremony on the lawn of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

Kara Kavensky

“In 2003, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site (BHPS) partnered with the Federal Courts to begin what has become an annual tradition. Over the past two decades, over 1500+ individuals have been naturalized on the grounds of BHPS.

Buckeye history buffs, however, shouldn’t hold that indiscretion against Harrison, elected the 23rd U.S. president in 1888.

Earlier this year, the Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis unveiled a magnificent $6.8 million remodel, including $2 million in renovations on the 10,000 square-foot Italianate brick home Harrison and his wife Caroline built in 1875.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.

The drive to the site is less than three hours from Columbus, and well worth the time for anyone looking for a historycentered day trip or weekend getaway.

Harrison was born in North Bend, Ohio, near the farm of his grandfather and ninth president William Henry Harrison.

The younger Harrison attended Miami University before beginning his law career in Indianapolis, where he lived the rest of his life with the exception of the years he spent in Washington.

Read the full article at Cincinnati.com.

“It’s one of the most moving civic ceremonies,” shares Charles Hyde, President and CEO of BHPS. “It’s a renewal of vows, and it’s an honor and privilege to host such a meaningful event.”

Julio Zepeda, BHPS Facilities Manager, adds, “It’s great for us to host this event, as it aligns with our mission.” Their mission is: to promote patriotism and citizenship through appropriate educational activities.

Ninety-eight individuals representing thirty-nine countries took the oath to become U.S. citizens in a crowded tent on the south lawn of the home of President Benjamin Harrison.

The Honorable Sarah Evans Barker led the ceremony. Speakers included U.S. Attorney Zachary Myers of the Southern District of Indiana, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Kimball Harrison Morsman, great-great-grandson of our 23rd U.S. President Benjamin Harrison, and Rabbi Dennis Sasso.

Read the full article on IndianapolisRecorder.com

MEET THE FUTURE PRESIDENTS

Future Presidents of America is a week-long youth leadership camp created to engage the next generation of community leaders while developing confidence, civic literacy and good citizenship to reveal the exceptional character that makes for great presidents and great leaders yesterday, today and tomorrow. We want to highlight our remarkable students from this year’s cohort:

MAKOTO HOWELL BUROKU INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF INDIANA

JOURNI CROSSLEY NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

FAB GISAGARA BROWNSBURG WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL

TYTAN CAMPBELL WESTERN CENTER ACADEMY (CA)

AVA ERTEL SIDENER ACADEMY (IPS)

MAGNUS MCCALLISTER ST. RICHARDS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

GABRIELLE CARROLL CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL

RILEY ERTEL WESTFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL

ALLISON MEYER CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL

LOGAN

Want to learn more?

Please contact the VP of Education, Roger Hardig, at rhardig@bhpsite.org, call (317)631-1888, or visit FuturePresidents.us

Applications

Available For 2024

You can apply for 2024 Future Presidents of America Youth Leadership Program, June 24-June 28!

SAGE TOUSEY HERITAGE CHRISTIAN

FINNEGAN

SOPHIA MARINA ALLEN-MUÑOZ

DECATUR CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

TUCKER PERRY MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL

VALENTINE SIDENER ACADEMY (IPS)

EVAN TING SYCAMORE SCHOOL

EDEN RIDOUT LAWRENCE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

GABRIELLE VANCE HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN HIGH SCHOOL

LUKE SWARTZ FRANKLIN CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH

DANIEL STAUFFER ST. RICHARDS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

SPEECH IN WATERBURY, VERMONT AUGUST 26, 1891

In August 1891, President Harrison, on a trip through Vermont, spoke to approximately 10,000 people assembled to greet him in Waterbury, Vermont. In his speech, President Harrison stated:

DID YOU

EX-PRESIDENT AS POLICEMAN

On Sunday, January 15, 1899, the New York Times reported in a short article “Mr. Benjamin Harrison Gives Chase to Two Thieves, Catching One.” As President Harrison was taking his evening walk, a neighbor yelled to him that her house had been robbed. He ran after the burglars, even hailing a passing buggy to help, and caught one of the burglars himself!

Know?

“Every man called to public office is subject to the infirmities that belong to our nature—the capacity to make mistakes. He can be, if he is true, sure of one thing—that in all that he does he has it in his mind to do the best he can for all the people.”

Jimmy Carter

George H. W. Bush

Gerald Ford

Ronald Reagan

John Adams

Herbert Hoover

Harry S. Truman

James Madison

Thomas Jefferson

Richard Nixon

John Quincy Adams

Martin Van Buren

Joe Biden

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Andrew Jackson

James Buchanan

Donald Trump

George W. Bush

Bill Clinton

Millard Fillmore

James Monroe

William Howard Taft

AVERAGE**

John Tyler

Grover Cleveland

Rutherford B. Hayes

William Henry Harrison*

George Washington

Benjamin Harrison

Woodrow Wilson

Andrew Johnson

Zachary Taylor*

Franklin Pierce

Lyndon B. Johnson

Ulysses S. Grant

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Barack Obama

Calvin Coolidge

Theodore Roosevelt

William McKinley*

Warren G. Harding*

Chester A. Arthur

Abraham Lincoln*

James K. Polk

James A. Garfield*

John F. Kennedy*

Length of life and cause of death of United States Presidents from 1799 to 2023

Since 1789, the United States has had 45 different men serve as president; of which six are alive today (officially, there have been 46 presidents, as Grover Cleveland is counted twice). Eight presidents have died while in office, including four who were assassinated by gunshot, and four who died of natural causes. The longest living president in history is Jimmy Carter, who celebrated his 98th birthday in October 2022, and the youngest currently living president is Barack Obama, who turned 62 in August 2023. Benjamin Harrison died on March 13, 1901 of pneumonia at 67.

Heart attack, failure or cardiovascular disease

Stroke

Gunshot wound

Pneumonia/respiratory illness

Cancer Other

Still Living** Average

* Died while in office

** As of February 2023

United States : 1799 to 2023

Source

PresidentsUSA.net

© Statista 2023

Grand Inaugural Re-Opening Celebration

The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site held a special dedication ceremony on May 18, 2023 celebrating the culmination of the Old Glory, New Vision Capital Campaign. More than 450 guests attended the celebration including Future Presidents of America alumni, donors, supporters, public officials, civic leaders, staff, and community members. Pictured above, Future Presidents of America alumnae Paige Fleming, Mariam Jalloh, and Jayna Ndiaye join Gracia-Jean Darling from the Arthur Jordan Foundation, Liz Kaznak-Hall from Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, City County Council President Vop Osili, Deputy Mayor Judith Thomas, Capital Campaign Chair Mike Wells, First Lady Janet Holcomb, Harrison family representative Jenry Morsman, and Volunteer Association President Ellis Hall (with President & CEO Charlie Hyde at the podium in the background). Thank you to all that joined us to celebrate that day as well as the generous supporters that made the campaign an overwhelming success!

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 Paige Kidwell. I am a 6th grade Social Studies teacher at Edgewood Intermediate in Franklin Township. My husband and I live on the Southside of Indy. This will be my 5th year teaching and each year I fall more and more in love with my job. My love for children and history has run deep in my veins for as long as I can remember. Some people call me crazy but sixth graders are some of my favorite humans of all time to work and grow with.

The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site holds a very special place in my heart. Growing up, one of my favorite and most memorable field trips in school was to the Presidential Site in 4th grade. It became an obvious and easy choice after high school to work with the Presidential Site in college as I studied Secondary Education with a concentration in History and Political Science. I first started working with the Presidential Site in 2015 as an intern to Roger through the Work Study Program at Butler University. I quickly fell in love with the work done here and stayed an intern working closely with Roger, the staff, the volunteers, and school groups until I graduated in 2019. Whether it was assisting with the school programs and tours, curriculum development, or afterschool programs, anytime I could I would be at the Presidential Site.

Since graduation, I have stayed actively involved with the Presidential Site as much as I possibly can. I serve as a member on the Presidential Site’s Education committee and have had the pleasure to nominate several of my past students in our district for the Future Presidents of America program held every summer. Each year I continue to find so many incredible students who are challenging and changing the status quo. The next generation of future leaders is strong and has the potential to rock our worlds in the best way possible.

I am so incredibly thankful for Roger and the staff at the Presidential Site for all they do and the opportunities they bring to classrooms all over the state!

PAIGE KIDWELL

6TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES EDGEWOOD INTERMEDIATE FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

FRANCES BENJAMIN JOHNSTON

1874–1875

From the late 1880s to the 1910s, Frances Benjamin Johnston was the White House photographer, before the job officially existed. She photographed both the families and cabinets of Harrison, Cleveland, McKinley and T. Roosevelt. A loose familial connection to Mrs. Grover Cleveland and entrée from the Harrisons got her foot in the door, but she capitalized on the opportunity— a business trait that served her career well.

During the Harrison administration, Johnston shared with the nation the extensive renovations and redesigns of the mansion overseen by Caroline Harrison. Johnston’s eye for architectural and garden photography in this series foreshadows her later work documenting luxury gardens for the rich and southern architecture for the Carnegie Institute.

Mrs. J. Robert McKee (Mary Harrison McKee), Mary Lodge McKee, Marthena Saunders Harrison, Mrs. Russell Harrison (May Saunders Harrison), Benjamin Harrison “Baby” McKee (in rocking chair). Tea party for the grandchildren at the White House 1889.

Marthena Harrison, Russell Harrison, Baby McKee, Mary Lodge McKee, Jack the dog, Old Whiskers the goat, and cart.

Mary Lodge McKee and Mary Harrison McKee on White House lawn with pet.

The old kitchen in the White House basement with executive chef Dolly Johnson in 1891.

Each year the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site welcomes 20 studious middle and high school students to complete our annual Future Presidents of America summer camp. Future Presidents of America offers a unique opportunity for students to gain the resources and tools needed to prepare for their future. We focus on the qualities that make for great presidents – yesterday, today and tomorrow. Lucky for us, many of our devoted Future Presidents seek to continue their relationship with the program as alumni and dedicate their summers to assist the same students they once were.

Kathryn Sabo (KK) is an incoming junior at Brebeuf Jesuit and an avid supporter of the Future Presidents of America program. KK attended the summer camp in 2021 after her history teacher recommended her to the program. She spent the week absorbing knowledge from a diverse panel of community leaders and advocates while simultaneously gaining a new understanding her of role as a civically engaged member of American society. KK was deeply influenced by the program and joined the Presidential Site team this summer to give back to the very program that changed her perspective.

“I came back this summer to inspire civil discourse and encourage the new Future Presidents to have open and honest discussions while remaining open-minded and respectful to one another,” said KK. Open-mindedness is a major takeaway from the camp.

Incoming Pike Township senior, Jayna Ndiaye, first joined the Future Presidents line up after she was recommended by her school. Jayna thought to herself “why not?” and signed up for the 2021 session. “It felt very inclusive to me and I only wanted to contribute more. I noticed there were people out there who were working towards a better world and it made me realize I wanted to help people,” said Jayna.

Besides the Future Presidents of America camp, Jayna takes advantage of every opportunity to grow as in individual through the Presidential Site. You’ll often see her attending our annual Speaker Series with her peers as an opportunity to learn from some of our nation’s most influential people. Jayna stated “Everyone has been so impactful in helping me work towards my future.”

KK plans to use the skills she’s learned though Future President of America to take her all the way to the White House and Jayna is interested in entering politics after being inspired by the various speakers during her time in the camp. We thank not only KK and Jayna for their enthusiastic support this summer but thank all previous Future Presidents of America alumni who’ve left an incredible legacy with the Presidential Site.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Out of all the changes the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site has seen over the prior two years, our volunteer gardeners have provided us with a sense of stability through

their exquisite and often miracle-like skills in tending to our historic gardens. Led by Master Gardener, Ken Hottell, the Presidential Site has been transformed into a floral oasis right in the middle of a bustling city. Whether it be heavy machinery or invasive electrical work, our gardeners rose to the occasion and not only kept our existing gardens in shape, but took the opportunity to expand and introduce new life to our grounds. We implore you to visit the Presidential Site to experience our gardens yourself with our brand new gardens maps!

We want to thank our gardeners for their time and dedication. Thank you to Ken Hottell, Steve and Jan Thomas, Mary Ann Lear, Audrey Nelson, Pete Oren, Grace Fornefeld and Laurel Burns, and the many other volunteers who have beautified our grounds over many years including support from the Indianapolis Garden Club, Garfield Park Master Gardeners, Marion County Master Gardeners, and Arbutus.

Thank You To Our Supporters

The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s Future Presidents of America® program was created in 2015 to deploy our public outreach to promote public spirit and civic mindedness 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 civic responsibility by actively participating in civil society.

Thank you to all of our Future Presidents of America® funders including Gracia E. Johnson Foundation, The National Bank of Indianapolis and Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation. Additionally, thanks to Indy Summer Youth Programs supported by the Summer Youth Program Fund, a collaboration between The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate, and 10 funders in Marion County.

We are pleased to also thank our Gracia Johnson Floyd Presidential Fellow, Jennifer Hodge, and Future Presidents Ambassadors for 2023, Jayna Ndiaye and KK Sabo, for their enthusiasm, knowledge, and hard work. Other integral volunteers include Mike Back, Molly Beausir, Lisa Boncosky, Zoey Kryder and Sophie Liang.

Join us for

In 2022, we conducted a successful Giving Tuesday campaign to honor the vision for leadership, education and inspiration that the Presidential Site represents. This year we are celebrating the consistent growth and collaborative effort that supports the legacy of President Benjamin Harrison, and the FUTURE of the Presidential Site.

On Giving Tuesday, November 28, 2023, we are raising funds to expand opportunities for more children, youth and adults to engage with this legacy and enjoy our FUTURE accomplishments. Together, we are creating a FUTURE sustained by community partnerships, civic engagement, and leadership education and participation.

GIVE THE FUTURE. Today. Tomorrow. Together.

Give Today!

This spring, students from across the U.S. did just that during the second annual running of Project POTUS® – a Presidential video contest for students in middle school from the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. Over 300 students participated, and 80+ Project POTUS Citizen Jurors considered submissions for awards. Between students and the Citizen Jury, 18 states were represented during Project POTUS® 2023.

2023 participants delighted with their use of creativity; the contest received submissions with original songs (this merits a shout out to the students who wrote Presidential raps this year), hand-drawn illustrations, impressive animations, presidential puns galore, and much more.

The Presidential Award, given to the video voted best overall by the Citizen Jury per POTUS, was awarded to 38 student projects. Of these Presidential winners, five submissions received extra distinctions.

New to Project POTUS® in 2023, the distinguished Project POTUS® Grand Jury met to award top prizes. The Grand Jury selected Gregory from Indiana’s project on William Howard Taft as the 2023 Grand Prizewinner. Gregory’s portrayal tells the story of POTUS #27 in drawings, dispelling a familiar urban legend related to a bathtub at the White House, and highlighting Taft’s pride in becoming Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Spotlight Award Winners included Audrey from Indiana, who portrayed James Madison, Peter from Wisconsin’s project on Zachary Taylor, and Prudence from Indiana’s video about Calvin Coolidge. For the first time, the public had a chance to vote for their favorite of the top ten Project POTUS® videos. The inaugural Citizens’ Choice Award winner was Jack from Indiana with a project about John Adams. All winning projects from Project POTUS® 2023 are available to view at ProjectPOTUS.org.

Project POTUS® HQ thanks students and their families, teachers, Citizen and Grand Jurors, and others for participating in 2023, and especially thanks Russell and Penny Fortune, who have made Project POTUS® possible.

How do you tell the history of each American POTUS in only one minute?

2023 WINNERS:

• George Washington – Ethan H. (IN)

• John Adams – Jack T. (IN)

• Thomas Jefferson – Corrie T. & Ethan B. (VA)

• James Madison – Audrey C. (IN)

• James Monroe – Noah B. (IN)

• John Quincy Adams – Elizabeth W. (IN)

• Andrew Jackson – Noah G. (IN)

• Martin Van Buren – Scarlotte H. (IN)

• William Henry Harrison – Elia D. (IN)

• John Tyler – Bennett D. (IN)

• James Polk – Rose M. (IN)

• Zachary Taylor – Peter B. (WI)

• *Millard Fillmore

• Franklin Pierce – Alessandro S. & Isaac R. (IN)

• James Buchanan – Sloane M. (IN)

• Abraham Lincoln – Valery V. (NH)

• Andrew Johnson – Isiah Williams (IN)

• Ulysses S. Grant – Joshua G. (IN)

• *Rutherford B. Hayes

• *James Garfield

• Chester Arthur – Katie F. & Avery G. (IN)

• Grover Cleveland – Kate G. (IN)

• Benjamin Harrison – Henry M. (IN)

• William McKinley – Lillian W. (IN)

• Theodore Roosevelt – John C. (IN)

• William Howard Taft – Gregory W. (IN)

• *Woodrow Wilson

• Warren G. Harding – Bella A. (IN)

• Calvin Coolidge – Prudence P. (IN)

• Herbert Hoover – Solomone S. (IN)

• Franklin Delano Roosevelt – Nathan Z. (IN)

• *Harry Truman

• Dwight Eisenhower – Kaylee D. (IN)

• John F. Kennedy – Akhil J. (IN)

• *Lyndon B. Johnson

• Richard Nixon – Cooper K. (IN)

• Gerald Ford – Shani M. & Navya S. (IN)

• Jimmy Carter – Dominic G. (IN)

• Ronald Reagan – Thomas D. (IN)

• George H.W. Bush – Eva B. & Sophie S. (IN)

• Bill Clinton – Derek A. (IN)

• *George W. Bush

• Barack Obama – Annabelle D. & Hailey N. (IN)

• Donald Trump – Lincoln E. (IN)

• Joe Biden – Evan G. (IN)

For the first time in 2023, the Project POTUS® Grand Jury convened to select winners for top prizes. Distinguished members of the Grand Jury this year included Paula Kerger, Brian Lamb, Barbara Perry, Mo Rocca, and Christina Schutt. Thank you, Grand Jurors, for your help awarding excellent student scholarship in presidential history. Paula Kerger is the President and CEO of PBS and has served in this role for the longest of any president in the organization’s history.

Brian Lamb is the founder and now-retired CEO of CSPAN.

Barbara Perry is an author and presidential historian, and serves as the Director of Presidential Studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center.

Mo Rocca is a journalist and regular CBS News correspondent, also known as host of the Mobituaries Podcast, and host and creator of My Grandmother’s Ravioli on the Cooking Channel.

Christina Schutt is the President and CEO of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, IL.

The timeline of Project POTUS is moving up! Students can submit projects to the next annual contest starting November 5, 2023. Submissions will be accepted through Presidents Day, February 19, 2024. Teachers and families can pre-register to participate by emailing projectpotus@bhpsite.org, and will receive a limited edition gift from Project POTUS® if they register before January 1, 2024. To participate in the program as a student or Citizen Juror, find the operation details at ProjectPOTUS.org

The next mission begins on Election Day.

DECLASSIFIED:

Special Events

NIGHT AT THE SITE: MEMBERS ONLY EVENT

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

6:00—8:00 PM

We invite Presidential Site members to experience the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site after hours for a one-night-only unforgettable evening. This event will feature a glimpse into the home at night and fun artifacts related to some unexpected stories. Guest will get a rare look at artifacts that are not always presented on tour. Tours are free for members but this unique experience will sell out fast. Make your reservations today.

We recommend this tour for children age 10 and up due to the low light levels in the home and tour duration.

Reserve your tickets today at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org.

PRESIDENTIAL SPEAKER SERIES MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE MARY TUCKER JASPER ENDOWMENT FUND

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

INDIANA ROOF BALLROOM RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

“What I Saw Inside the Presidency” with Pete Souza

Join us for the 2023 Presidential Speaker Series as we hear from internationally renowned White House photographer Pete Souza and get a glimpse of his four decades of seeing the American presidency first hand through the lens of a camera. From intimate family portraits of the Reagans and Obamas to moments of earth-shattering international significance, Souza has seen some of the very best and worst moments of our collective American story with unparalleled access to our nation’s Commander-in-Chief.

The Presidential Speaker Series is made possible through the Mary Tucker Jasper Endowment Fund. This will be the Presidential Site’s 18th year celebrating American thought and leadership through this event. Taking place shortly before Veteran’s Day, we will carry on our tradition of also honoring men and women in the United States military, who—like President Harrison, himself a veteran—sacrificed so much in their service to our country, with special tributes throughout the evening.

Registration is required. Purchase your ticket at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org.

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

Special Events

MURDER AT THE MANOR*

OCTOBER 13, 14, 20, 21, 28

PERFORMANCES AT 6:00 PM AND 8:00 PM

OCTOBER 29

PERFORMANCES AT 2:00 PM AND 4:00 PM

Candlelight Theatre presents a thrilling interactive murder mystery staged in the home of President Benjamin Harrison - will your team be the ones to successfully solve the murder at Garrison Manor? In Indianapolis’s beautiful Old Northside, Garrison Manor is a fine example of traditional estate dwelling. Over the last few months, both the manor and its grounds have been lovingly restored and improved to create a unique leisure experience and will soon become a hotel.

Unfortunately, the evening’s opening night has been thrown into disarray by the discovery of the owner’s dead body on the manor grounds. Rather than lose business, the daughter of the deceased has put her grief aside and plans to use the murder to the hotel’s advantage. As the police are on strike, she is offering the guests the opportunity to engage in a real murder enquiry.

Guests will work in teams, interrogating suspects and gathering clues throughout the mansion to solve the crime. Who will be victorious?

‘TIS THE SEASON*

BY JAMES TROFATTER

DECEMBER 15 & 16

PERFORMANCES BEGIN AT 6:00 PM AND RUN

EVERY HALF HOUR

UNTIL 8:30 PM

DECEMBER 17

PERFORMANCES BEGIN

AT 2:00 PM AND RUN

EVERY HALF HOUR

UNTIL 4:30 PM

*RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Purchase your tickets today at CandlelightTheatre.org

Gather your family close and join us in creating new holiday memories at a special Candlelight Theatre production!

‘Tis the Season… written by James Trofatter, offers a heartwarming theatre experience for all ages. Sip hot cider, enjoy carolers, and meet holiday figures from tradition and folklore, as well as jolly new friends.

Guests will travel from room to room enjoying performances throughout the National Historic Landmark home of President Benjamin Harrison; including up and down narrow stairs (elevator assistance is available). Guests will view scenes standing (chairs available upon request).

Performances are approximately 60 minutes long; a new performance begins every half hour, with six shows each day.

Performances to both shows will sell out! Reservations are required. Please direct questions to the Special Events and Marketing Manager: (317) 631-1888 or email events@bhpsite.org