THE STATESMAN
|
MEET
SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2026
THE
FUTURE PRESIDENTS
A P U B L I C AT 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
Robert Altice, Chair Morgan Snyder, Vice Chair Jeremy Davis, Treasurer Erin Dorsey, Secretary Latoya Botteron, At Large Donna Oklak, Past Chair
Thomas P. Ewbank George Geib Brian Hewitt Eric J. Holcomb Stan C. Hurt Jamia Jasper Jacobsen Thomas King John Krauss Kimball Harrison Morsman Andrea Neal Susanne S. Ridlen David G. Sease Michael Wells
Milan Ball Teresa Bennett Robert Biggs Lisa Boncosky Christina Hale Ellis Hall Carrie K. Houston Kenneth M. Jastrow, II Will Lonnemann Konye Ori Lucille Pittard Blake Roebuck Rod Taylor
ADVISORY CABINET
Carolyn Anker Susan Brooks William A. Browne, Jr. Lloyd Crowe Rosemary Dorsa Whitney Ebmeyer Daniel F. Evans Howard “HJ” Lacy IV Elizabeth Mann Jenry Morsman Peter Rusthoven Ed Simcox James Wallis Robin Winston
EX-OFFICIO
John Teskey, Volunteer Association President PRESIDENT & CEO
Charles A. Hyde
HONORARY DIRECTORS
Robert H. Everitt
S TA F F
MOLLY BEAUSIR Russell and Penny Fortune Project POTUS Presidential Fellow
ASHTON GIANAKOS Gracia Johnson Floyd Presidential Fellow
LINDSEY BECKLEY Director of Special Events & Marketing
HALLIE GEISS Presidential Aide
GARY LARREATEGUI Weekend Supervisor
DANIEL BENNETT Director of Museum Experiences
BETHANY GOSEWEHR VP of Advancement
AUSTIN THURSTON Weekend Supervisor
JENNY BRAUN Director of Finance & Operations
ROGER HARDIG VP of Education
TIFFANY SPEARS Special Events & Social Media Coordinator
JENNIFER CAPPS VP of Curatorship & Exhibition
LAURA HENN Morsman Family Presidential Fellow for Advancement
CHRIS STENFTENAGEL Volunteer & Relationship Manager
CHARLES A. HYDE President & CEO
JULIO ZEPEDA Facilities Manager
Special thanks to the more than 150 volunteers who make our work possible!
FROM THE
President
"If I were to select a watchword that I would have every young man write above his door and on his heart, it would be that good word 'Fidelity.' I know of no better.” — PRESIDENT BENJAMIN HARRISON
Celebrating America250
In this semiquincentennial year, there has been an emphasis on July 4, 1776. But it was the actions that were taken in the subsequent years of the Revolutionary War and adoption of the Constitution that truly gave that document its credibility.
Much in the same way, Benjamin Harrison - like so many presidents before and after him - had a fluency and expressiveness in his commitment to the Declaration, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. But it was in his actions in living up to the meaning of those founding promises that merits our attention to this day. During my closing remarks to our 2026 cohort of Future Presidents of America in June, I shared testimonies from two witnesses of Benjamin Harrison’s leadership - his commanding officer in the Civil War, and one of his enlisted men: Colonel Harrison first joined me in command of a brigade of Ward's division in Lookout Valley preparative to entering upon what is called the Campaign of Atlanta. My attention was first attracted to this young officer by the superior excellence of his brigade in discipline and instruction, the result of his labor, skill and devotion. With more foresight than I have witnessed in any officer of his experience, he seemed "...it was in to act upon the principle that success depended upon his actions in the thorough preparation in discipline and esprit of living up to his command for conflict, more than on any influence that could be exerted on the field itself, and when the meaning of collision came his command vindicated his wisdom as those founding much as his valor. - JOSEPH HOOKER, Major-General Commanding. promises that I remember that during one of the cold nights I was on merits our picket, and I saw a man approaching from the direction of the officers' quarters. I halted him, and when he gave attention to the countersign and advanced, I saw it was General this day." (then Colonel) Harrison. He had a large can filled with hot coffee, and when I asked him what he was doing, he said he was afraid that some of the pickets would freeze to death, and he knew some hot coffee would help the men to keep alive. He was the most welcome visitor I ever met, for I really believe I would have frozen before morning had not the coffee been brought. After leaving me, the General passed on to all the other pickets to cheer them up with the beverage. His act was one of kindness. The men on duty were nearly all from his regiment, and his personal friendship for them induced him to get up out of his comfortable quarters at dead of night, prepare that coffee and bring it to us. - Richard M. Smock quoted in Life of Ben Harrison by Gen. Lew Wallace (pg. 168) These examples of profound personal leadership continue to have relevance and resonance today. They show Harrison from “neighborhood to nation”, not only as valiant on the battlefield, but also dutiful in the quiet, unobserved hours that matter most. Very sincerely yours,
Charles A. Hyde, President & CEO Cover Image: Future Presidents of America alumna Kushi Chandra greets a new citizen at the Naturalization ceremony on July 2, 2026.
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PLAN YOUR
Calendar
V isit
SEPTEMBER 2026 COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 · 8:30AM–9:00AM CONSTITUTION DAY ROSES PLACEMENT THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 · 8:30AM–9:00AM OCTOBER 2026 COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 · 8:30AM–9:00AM MURDER AT MILLFIELDS* PRESENTED BY CANDLELIGHT THEATRE OCTOBER 9-10, 16-17, 24-25 · PERFORMANCES AT 6PM, 8PM FRIDAYS, 2 PM AND 4 PM SUNDAYS NOVEMBER 2026 LIVE! ELECTION DAY (VOTING CENTER OPEN 6AM-6PM) TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 · 10:00AM–3:00PM COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 · 8:30AM–9:00AM TAPS: A MUSICAL SALUTE WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 · 5:30PM · ONSITE AND FACEBOOK LIVE PRESIDENTIAL SPEAKER SERIES* THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 · 6PM-9PM · INDIANA ROOF BALLROOM
* Reservations required.
DECEMBER 2026 COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 · 8:30AM–9:00AM LIVE! FAMILY CHRISTMAS* SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 · 10:00AM - 3:00PM A DICKENS CHRISTMAS* PRESENTED BY CANDLELIGHT THEATRE DECEMBER 11-13 · PERFORMANCES START AT 6 PM FRI-SAT, 2 PM ON SUNDAYS
Coffee with the Curator
OFFICIAL PARTNERS:
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: . Sept. 4 The Harrisons and the Constitution (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live) . Oct. 2 Benjamin Harrison + Protecting the Vote (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live) . Nov. 6 Harrison's Six States (onsite event & simulcast on Facebook Live) . Dec. 4 A Revolutionary 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.
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HARRISON STILL
in the News
I N D I A N A CA PI TA L C H R O N I C L E
THE INDIANA CITIZEN
Dozens become US citizens in Indianapolis as ‘birthday gift’ for America’s 250th
Transformative Gift: $2M Endowment Supports Tomorrow's Leaders In BHPS' Future Presidents of America Program
By: Jack Forrest, Indiana Capital Chronicle
By: Marilyn Odendahl, The Indiana Citizen
Thirty-five years led to one moment for Jose Benavides. On Thursday morning, under a large tent outside Indianapolis’ Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, Benavides became a citizen of the United States. He sported a red-andwhite tie under a blue suit. He said it wasn’t intentional; a lot of what he owns is patriotic. A truck and bus driver originally from El Salvador, Benavides previously stayed under different temporary programs since arriving in the United States more than three decades ago. His children were born in the country, and his mother, who attended Thursday’s ceremony, is also naturalized. His family is here. His life is here. “And I’m going to die here, I guess,” he joked. He and 75 others from nearly 30 countries were naturalized Thursday. Some also wore suits or patriotic clothing. Others donned jeans, polo shirts, dresses, turbans, hijabs and a sunhat.
At a special ceremony on Thursday, which honored the current class and alumni of its Future Presidents of America program, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site announced a new endowment that will ensure the initiative continues to teach leadership skills and foster civic engagement for generations to come. The $2 million Gracia Johnson Floyd Family Endowment of support was announced during the Future Presidents of America Alumni Evening and Presidential Mentor Pinning Ceremony at the historic Harrison home in Indianapolis. Students currently enrolled in the program as well as alumni, friends and family were assembled on the lawn under the big white tent that just a few hours before had hosted a naturalization ceremony for 75 new U.S. citizens... Read the full article at TheIndianaCitizen.org.
And wielding miniature American flags and foldable fans to combat an extreme heat warning, they together raised their right hands and vowed to support, defend and bear allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the culmination of their path to citizenship... Read the full article at IndianaCapitalChronicle.com
Gracia-Jean Darling, pictured with Presidential Site President and CEO Charlie Hyde.
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MEET THE FUTURE PRESIDENTS
Future Presidents of America TM is a week-long youth leadership camp created to engage the next generation of community leaders. It develops confidence, civic literary, 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:
Royal Aramide
Harper Bender
Kushi Chandra
Lucian DiNun
Gabriella Hountz
Eli Hwang
Lucy Ko
Christ Kossa
Franklin Central High School
Crown Wise Academy Middle School
Park Tudor High School
Homeschool (TX)
William Henry Harrison High School
Paige O'Hara
Hamilton Southeastern High School PAG E 6 | T H E STAT E S M A N
Lawren High S
Sycamore School Middle School
Annabeth Riley
Homeschool (IN)
Homes (IN)
Colin Siegmann
Immaculate Heart of Mary Middle School
Future Presidents of America is made possible through the generosity of the Gracia Johnson Floyd Family Endowment and the following sponsors:
Gracia E. Johnson Foundation
Nicholas H. Noyes Jr. Memorial Foundation
NINA MASON PULLIAM CHARITABLE TRUST
na nzio
Meyer Goldsmith
Rebecca Golomb
Chloe Hoskins
tian ack
Maya Ledbetter
Brooks Martin
Hannah Martin
nce North School
North Central High School
school
William Henry Harrison High School
Theodore Singleton
St. Richard's Middle School
International School
Hamilton Heights High School
Noblesville East Middle School
Everett Stemerick
Center Grove Middle School
Pike High School
Jude Troxell
Fishers High School T H E STAT E S M A N | PAG E 7
HARRISON IN HIS
O wn Words
SPEECH AT THE MARQUETTE CLUB OF DETROIT MARCH 1888
Early in 1888, ex-Senator Benjamin Harrison spoke frequently on national and international affairs, marking him as a presidential candidate of increasing stature:
“My countrymen, this Government is that which I love to think of as my country; for not acres, or railroads, or farm products, or bulk meats, or Wall Street, or all combined, are the country that I love. It is the institution, the form of government, the frame of civil society, for which that flag stands, and which we love to-day.”
DID YOU
Know?
Recognized as one of the world's outstanding monuments, the Soldiers & Sailors Monument has come to symbolize both the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. The structure is Indiana's official memorial to the Hoosiers that served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, the Frontier Wars, and the Spanish-American War. It stands 284 feet, 6 inches high, only 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty. It cost $598,318 to build, and was dedicated in 1902. The Cornerstone Laying Ceremony for the Monument was held in Indianapolis on August 22, 1889, and President Benjamin Harrison was present to make some brief remarks, including: I have felt lifted up by this occasion. It seems to me that our spirits have been borne up to meet those of the dead and glorified, and that from this place we shall go to our homes more resolutely set in our purpose as citizens to conserve the peace and welfare of our neighborhoods, to hold up the dignity and honor of our free institutions, and to see that no harm shall come to our country, whether from internal dissensions or from the aggressions of a foreign foe. Image: Indiana State Library
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A MOMENT
in Time
Presidents and Military Service Only a handful of American presidents have assumed two of the nation's most consequential commands: that of a wartime general and that of Commander in Chief. From leading troops on the battlefield to leading the nation from the White House, these ten men brought firsthand experience with war, leadership, and sacrifice to the presidency. Benjamin Harrison occupies a unique place in this distinguished group as the last Civil War general to serve as president, marking the end of an era.
GEORGE WASHINGTON General and Commander in Chief
ULYSSES S. GRANT General of the Armies of the United States
Image: White House Historical Association
Image: Library of Congress
ANDREW JACKSON Major General
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES Brevet Major General
American Revolutionary War President, 1789-1797
War of 1812 President, 1829-1837 Image: White House Historical Association
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON Major General
American Civil War President, 1869-1877
American Civil War President, 1877-1881
JAMES A. GARFIELD Major General American Civil War President, 1881
War of 1812 President, 1841
Image: Library of Congress
ZACHARY TAYLOR Major General
BENJAMIN HARRISON Brevet Brigadier General
Image: White House Historical Association
Image: Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
FRANKLIN PIERCE Brigadier General
DWIGHT EISENHOWER General of the Army and Supreme Allied Commander
Mexican-American War President, 1849-1850
Mexican-American War President, 1853-1857 Image: White House Historical Association
Note: Chester A. Arthur served as a brigadier general in the New York State Militia during the Civil War but did not hold a field command.
American Civil War President, 1889-1893
World War II President, 1953-1961
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Commemorating 250 years of American Independence at the Presidential Site As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is not only celebrating where America has been, but also inviting visitors to consider where we are going and the the role each of us plays in getting there. That idea is at the heart of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s Summer Civic Series. Throughout this milestone summer, we are bringing people together through history, culture, conversation, and shared experiences that remind us civic life happens in many places and in many ways. It happens when we learn together, serve our neighbors, exchange ideas, and choose to participate in the life of our community. America 250 gives us a chance to look back with both pride and perspective. For 250 years, Americans have inherited the extraordinary promise of selfgovernment - and the responsibility that comes with it. Benjamin Harrison understood that democracy depends upon citizens who are informed, engaged, and willing to contribute to something larger than themselves. That principle remains as relevant today as it was in his time. Our Summer Civic Series puts that legacy into action. By welcoming people to the Presidential Site to gather, learn, celebrate, and connect, we hope to make civic engagement feel less like an abstract concept and more like what it truly is: an everyday practice. Benjamin Harrison famously said, “I do not mistrust the future.” As we celebrate America at 250, we are also placing our trust in the future. But the future of our democracy is not something we simply inherit - it is something we create together. Special thanks to our Summer Civic Series Sponsors:
E D U CAT I O N
S potlight
Greetings from Franklin Central High School, a large suburban high school on the southeast side of Indianapolis, where we have had the pleasure of hosting President Benjamin Harrison at our preAmerica 250 Celebration in January 2026!
LISA LAKER English Teacher Franklin Central High School Franklin Township
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.
I have been a proud Flashes' English educator since 1995, and I have enjoyed developing the course curriculum for a theme literature class called "Hoosier Hysteria¨ (Indiana literature). In January, four classes of Hoosiers connected with the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site for a Zoom tour. Roger, Molly, and staff made connecting easy and accessible! This was a first-time tour of a presidential home for most of my students, and they were delighted to see the Centennial Walking Stick, the cribs of both President William Henry Harrison and President Benjamin Harrison, and the front porch where he campaigned. To follow up the virtual home tour, I organized and hosted a pre-America 250 event-week for our school community that was inspired by my attendance at Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site's October event to preview Ken Burns’ Revolutionary War documentary. My colleagues served as reenactors of American historical icons— Principal Tschiniak transformed into George Washington! With over twelve interactive stations hosted in our large Media Center such as notable American writers, American Immigrants, We the People, Pose-like-a-Painting, Yankee DOODLE-r, Presidential selfie-stations, and many more, over 1,200 students participated over the course of five days. Our keynote celebration was the biggest hit, with the 23rd president himself delivering a rousing speech that encouraged students to participate in their government and do their civic duty. I believe at one point of President Harrison's speech, he received roaring applause from the packed crowd of students, faculty, administrators, school board members, and community members! Students clamored to get their picture with President Harrison—it was a total celebrity moment! Thank you to the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site and gracious reenactors Charles N. Braun, II and his lovely wife, Elizabeth. I hope our professional friendship continues, as you have touched the lives of so many in the Franklin Central High School community by bringing our INDIANA HISTORY ALIVE!
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FROM THE
C ollection
Benjamin Harrison and the Civil War When the Civil War began, Benjamin Harrison was a successful Indianapolis attorney with a young family and no obligation to enlist. Instead, he answered Governor Oliver P. Morton's request to help recruitment efforts by enlisting a full regiment of 1,000 Indiana volunteers. Harrison not only organized the effort—he volunteered to serve alongside the men he recruited. Commissioned as colonel of the 70th Indiana Infantry in 1862, Harrison quickly earned a reputation as a disciplined, capable, and deeply respected leader. He led his regiment through some of the war's most significant campaigns, sharing the hardships of military life with his soldiers and refusing opportunities to leave the field for political advancement. By the war's end, Harrison's courage and leadership had been widely recognized. In 1865, he was promoted to the rank of brevet brigadier general for "ability and manifest energy" in service to the Union. The experience shaped Harrison's lifelong commitment to public service, and veterans remembered him not simply as a future president, but as a commander who had earned their trust on the battlefield.
Canteen cup owned by Harrison during the Civil War.
On January 23, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln signed this commission for Harrison to be promoted to brevet brigadier general.
Harrison’s officer’s sword is decorated with shields and eagles. After the war, Harrison kept his sword in the library. It can be seen in the "There at the Founding" exhibit through November 1. T HSTAT E STAT ES | PAG E 13 THE ESM AM NA N | PAG E 13
VOLUNTEER BY CHRIS STENFTENAGEL Volunteer and Relationship Manager
Report
Through the first half of 2026, volunteer participation at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site exceeded all expectations with 142 volunteers providing more than 4,000 hours of their time! We are grateful for our Tour Docents, Welcome Center Ambassadors, gardeners, Candlelight Theater actors, research assistants, Project POTUS judges, enactors, and special events supporters for enabling the Presidential Site to host a variety of events and experiences. For example, our spring Candlelight Theater production, Choose Your Murder, was held in our historic residence over 8 days thanks to our volunteer actors and directors dedicating 575 hours of their time rehearsing and performing. The spring theater production raised nearly $10,000 for the Presidential Site. Candlelight Theater actors/directors Donna Wing, Mavis Washington and Jill Whelan were recognized as the April Volunteers of the Month in appreciation for their efforts in producing another success. Other volunteers recently recognized as Volunteers of the Month include Talha Kahf, Mary Ann Lear, and Cathy Husman. Talha is a tour docent and recent IU-Indianapolis graduate and will be starting law school there in the fall. Mary Ann has been an Arbutus Gardener at the Presidential Site since 2004. Cathy is a long-time docent here each Wednesday morning leading tours. On July 27 the volunteer association held their annual meeting with 36 volunteers in attendance. The meeting included remarks from President & CEO Charlie Hyde and Board of Directors Vice Chair Morgan Snyder. The following volunteers were selected to serve on the Volunteer Association board this coming year: John Teskey, President; Jim Gidley, Vice President; Bruce Bowman, Secretary; Jim Smith and Sherry Nagel-Smith, At-Large Representatives. John, Jim, and Bruce served on the board this past year while Jim, Tour Docent, and Sherry, Welcome Center Ambassador, are new additions. Cathy Robinson and Jennifer McAvoy ended their terms on the board. The volunteer association raised over $3,000 this past year and contributed nearly $1,000 to the Presidential Site for exhibit improvements. Many thanks to our board members for all of their hard work and dedication to the volunteer association. Our most recent volunteer outings included an architectural theme. In May a group of volunteers went on a behind the scenes tour of the Indiana State Library. This tour allowed a peak into the staff-only areas of the library and included a discussion of its neoclassical revival style architecture with art deco influences. In June the volunteers traveled to West Lafayette to explore the Frank Lloyd Wright designed home called Samara. The Samara home, named for winged seeds found in pine cones, was completed in 1956 near the end of Wright’s career and owned by Purdue professor Dr. John Christian and his wife Catherine. After the home tour the volunteers visited the Tippecanoe Battlefield Park and Museum located on the site of the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe. Looking to get involved at one of the top presidential sites in the country with the best volunteers? Email me at cstenftenagel@bhpsite.org. PAG E 1 4 | T H E STAT E S M A N
SPECIAL
Thanks
2026 DAYS OF GIVING AMERICA 250: RECOMMITTING TO OUR DEMOCRACY
2x
Every gift will be matched, dollar for dollar.
$25 $100 $250
$50 $200 $500
WHY CIVIC ENGAGEMENT?
The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is one of Indiana’s most significant links to the founding of American democracy, connecting visitors to the Declaration of Independence and three generations of Harrison family leadership. Through nonpartisan programs and events, we explore the people and ideas that shaped self-government while connecting their
legacy to the present. We believe an educated, engaged citizenry is essential to preserving and strengthening democracy, and we inspire Americans to discover their own role in community and government. Please partner with us to support our 2026 campaign, from National Civics Day, October 27, to Giving Tuesday, December 1.
T H R E E WAY S T O J O I N I N
GIVE
FOLLOW
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Make a donation today and double your impact.
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OUR : G OA L
$25,250
F O R C I V I C E D U CAT I O N School programs Project POTUS Future Presidents of America #23 in the 21st And More! T H E STAT E S M A N | PAG E 1 5
The Making of a Soldier President:
Benjamin Harrison and the Civil War Veterans' Movement By Dr. Robin M. Bates, Elaine Kops-Bedel and Eric Bedel Presidential Research Fellow, Rothermere American Institute, University of Oxford When President Benjamin Harrison stood at the United States Capitol to make his inaugural address in March 1889, he emphasized the debt that he and his government owed to the nation’s soldiers. “Such occasions as this,” he noted, “should remind us that we owe everything to their valor and sacrifice.” The new President knew much about the sacrifices that such men had made. As an officer in the Union Army, Harrison had shared with his men the innumerable trials that confronted them on the battlefield, on the march, and around the campfire, in the process of which he established a relationship that would continue for the rest of his life. Writing to his wife Caroline during the war, Harrison had often expressed his concern for, and identification with, the men under his command. In December 1862, Harrison had written from Gallatin, Tennessee to share his anxieties about his men’s health, noting the hardship entailed in hard marching and lamenting the rapidity with which sickness had spread through the ranks. “Gallatin is one vast Hospital,” he explained, and many of the hospitals in which his men were treated were “said to be very filthy and poorly provided.” As the war went on, Harrison frequently had cause to describe the difficulties of military life as his men were laid up by illnesses or struck down by sunstroke. Nor did Harrison himself escape the hardships of war. Writing to Caroline from outside Atlanta in August 1863, Harrison explained that a recent bout of illness had left him feeling “run down,” and that his skin was covered in sores. Marching through Georgia the following year brought additional problems. “My skin is all broken out in blotches and small sores resulting from insect bites,” he complained. Despite these hardships, Harrison’s concern for the men under his command ensured that he was an admired and popular presence. From Gallatin in 1862, Harrison told Caroline of a fourteen-mile round trip he had made to visit some of the men under his command, including some of those who were confined in the city’s hospitals. “The boys seemed glad to see me,” he informed her, explaining that he had had some “familiar talks with them that they seemed to like.” There seemed to be a “capital feeling towards me in the regiment,” he added. The day before, Harrison continued, he had visited a hospital where several of his men were convalescing, and they had been delighted to see him. “One young fellow started right up in bed when he saw me, and with tears in his eyes seized me with both hands and held on to me for five minutes,” he wrote. “All seemed delighted and cheered to see me.” Such was Harrison’s esteem for his men, in fact, that he was unwilling to leave them… Read the full article online at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org.
The Elaine Kops-Bedel and Eric Bedel Presidential Research Fellow is a prestigious annual research fellowship with the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in partnership with the Rothermere Institute at the University of Oxford. This specialized research draws from primary sources in the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s extensive original collection, as well as other prominent state and national research archives. PAG E 1 6 | T H E STAT E S M A N
From Neighborhood to Nation:
Inspiring Civic Engagement Through Shared History 2026 – 2030 Strategic Plan As America commemorates its 250th anniversary, communities are seeking trusted, nonpartisan places to better understand democracy, citizenship, and the responsibilities we share. The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is stepping forward to meet this moment, using presidential history to strengthen civic understanding and inspire participation in our American system of self-government. Informed by 40+ thought leader conversations, 250+ survey responses, and months of intensive consideration, our ambitious 2026-2030 Strategic Plan outlines how the Presidential Site will fulfill its vision for 2030. We will endeavor to be a national model for civic learning - rooted in Indianapolis, relevant to the nation, and known for meaningful and engaging experiences that connect history to civic life today. In brief, this twenty page document includes:
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G OA L 3
Advance Civic Learning Through History
Preserve and Amplify the Presidential Site Experience
Strenthen Community Belonging
Strengthen the Presidential Site's civic education role by expanding programs that help people undrstand how democracy works through the lens of Harrison's era and presidential leadership.
Protect what makes the Presidential Site distinctive while broadening reach, deepening relevance, and enhancing interpretive experiences for all audiences.
Deepen connection and civic participation through programs and partnerships that honor shared ideals and position the Presidential Site as a trusted, nonpartisan gathering place.
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G OA L 4 Build the Foundation for Enduring Impact Fortifying the organization's people, systems, and resources to ensure longterm excellence and support all other goals.
Want to learn more about the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site's 2026-2030 Strategic Plan and how you can help? Email Vice-President of Advancement, Bethany Gosewehr, at bgosewehr@bhpsite.org.
T H E STAT E S M A N | PAG E 1 7
COMING
S oon
Special Events PRESIDENTIAL SPEAKER SERIES
MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE MARY TUCKER JASPER ENDOWMENT FUND THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 | 6:00-9:00 PM | INDIANA ROOF BALLROOM | RESERVATIONS REQUIRED Join the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site for dinner and a conversation with Presidential Site President and CEO Charlie Hyde and Anita McBride, co-author of Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women. Drawing on fascinating stories from more than two centuries of American history as well as her own experience serving in three presidential administrations, McBride will illuminate how First Ladies have shaped the presidency, influenced public life, championed important causes, and etched indelible marks on our nation. This lively conversation will invite us to look beyond familiar portraits and traditions to discover the personalities, partnerships, challenges, and accomplishments that reveal the First Ladies as the consequential figures they are in the American story. The Presidential Speaker Series proceeds help the Presidential Site share innovative civic education and outreach programs with more than 30,000 children and adults each year. Taking place shortly after 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 Advancement, at bgosewehr@bhpsite.org or 317-631-1888.
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COMING
S oon
Special Events MURDER AT MILLFIELDS PRESENTED BY CANDLELIGHT THEATRE OCTOBER 9-10, 16-17, 24 | 6:00 AND 8:00 PM OCTOBER 25 | 2:00 AND 4:00 PM
Let us set the (fictional) scene: You are invited to spend a spa and fitness weekend at Millfields, an exclusive residential hotel built in 1875 and known for its elegant clientele, modern comforts, and fashionable atmosphere. For this interactive performance presented by Candlelight Theatre, the National Historic Landmark residence of President Benjamin Harrison becomes the setting for Millfields, where guests have gathered for a relaxing and refined getaway. But shortly after your arrival, the peaceful mood is shattered by the discovery of a death in the hotel bar. With the local police department short on staff, those in attendance must work together to uncover the truth. Guests will be assigned small teams and will be guided through the Harrison residence during the performance, questioning suspects, gathering clues, and piecing together the events of the evening. Performances will sell out! Reservations are required. Purchase your tickets today at CandlelightTheatre.org.
A DICKENS CHRISTMAS PRESENTED BY CANDLELIGHT THEATRE WRITTEN BY JAMES TROFATTER DECEMBER 11-12 | PERFORMANCES BEGIN AT 6:00PM AND RUN EVERY HALF HOUR UNTIL 8:30PM DECEMBER 13 | PERFORMANCES BEGIN AT 2:00PM AND RUN EVERY HALF HOUR UNTIL 4:30PM
Celebrate the season with Candlelight Theatre! Adapted for the stage by Resident Playwright James Trofatter, A Dickens Christmas brings classic tales by Charles Dickens to life throughout the beautiful Victorian home of President Benjamin Harrison and First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison. Journey from room to room as familiar characters, heartwarming stories, and timeless holiday classic lessons unfold. Filled with humor, wonder, and the spirit of Christmas, each scene invites audiences into the rich storytelling tradition that has made Dickens a holiday favorite for generations – in fact, several of Dickens’ works can be found among the nearly 3,000 books collection of the 23rd president! Performances will sell out. Reservations are required. Purchase your tickets today at CandlelightTheatre.org. T H E STAT E S M A N | PAG E 1 9
VOLUME 52, ISSUE 3
1230 N O RT H D E L AWA R E S T R E E T, I N D I A N A P O L I S , I N 46202