Feeling Presidential in the Hoosier State

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In an effort to minimize the summer brain drain for my teenagers and orchestrate a fun outing with their grandparents, I took my family on a tour of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.

Whether you live in the Indianapolis area (like we do) or are planning a trip to the Hoosier state, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site makes for an ideal outing for the entire family.

Located on the near north side of downtown Indianapolis, you will find the former home of Indiana’s one and only president.

Designated as a national historic landmark, the home is situated in a primarily residential area. The property also includes a welcome center and gift shop behind the home as well as sprawling gardens.

Before our tour, I’ll admit we were all a bit foggy on the details of our 23rd president. But by the time we left the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, we were armed with many new facts about the only U.S. president to hale from Indiana. And it piqued our interest to learn even more.

Touring the Home

Tickets can be purchased in the Welcome Center (the red barn in the back) and include a guided tour of the 3 story home. Tours last approximately 75 minutes and start on the hour and half hour with a well-informed docent leading the way.

Gary was our knowledgeable guide, and it was clear that he had a passion for history. As we meandered through each room, Gary shared interesting facts and amusing anecdotes about the former president and his family.

In traditional museums, everything is under lock and key, and visitors are expected to keep their distance. But this is no ordinary museum.

With the goal of humanizing a president, visitors can get up close and personal to many of the actual possessions of the former Commander in Chief.

Due to careful planning by the presidents’ heirs and many thoughtful historians, over 75% of the items you will see on the tour actually belonged to President Harrison and just a small portion are period pieces from that era.

On the first floor, we got to view the impressive living room and parlor, the president’s office, the fancy dining room, and the state-of-the-art (for that time) kitchen.

A magnificent winding stairwell took us to the 2nd floor to view the more private life of the president and his family. The 2nd floor includes several bedrooms, the sewing room, and plenty of interesting artifacts.

The 3rd floor, originally a ballroom where stately parties were held back in the day, now serves as a space for temporary exhibits. Currently, it houses the Glitz and Glamour exhibit, which features lavish gifts given to various presidents and first ladies over the years as well as some of their cutting edge fashion from days gone by.

Fun Facts

We learned so many unique nuggets of presidential history during our tour. These are just some of the interesting facts that left an impression on our crew.

• Benjamin Harrison’s grandfather was also a U.S. President. As the 9th president, William Henry Harrison served the shortest presidential stint, dying of pneumonia just 31 days after his inauguration. It probably wasn’t wise to not wear a hat or coat while giving his 2-hour inaugural speech in the freezing cold!
• Political aspirations went even further back in Benjamin Harrison’s family. Both of his great grandfathers served as founding fathers of our country.
• President Benjamin Harrison was the first president to have a decorated Christmas tree in the White House. Many of his family members, including his children and grandchildren lived in the White House during his only term in office, and he wanted them to experience a family Christmas complete with a beautiful tree.
• This forward-thinking president was responsible for bringing electricity to the White House.
• First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison was a skilled artist and many of her original artwork is displayed in the home. She even designed the presidential china used during her husband’s presidency.

• Caroline Scott Harrison is also credited with founding the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
• After his first wife died, and much to the dismay of his son and daughter, Benjamin Harrison married his great niece.  They were not blood-related…but she was younger than his grandchildren.
• The master bedroom at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site houses the original bed of the former president. In that room and in that very bed his youngest daughter, Elizabeth, was born and that is where Benjamin Harrison passed away in 1901.

After a visit to the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site you will be well prepared to compete in a game of presidential trivia with your newfound knowledge!

Beyond the Tour

History buffs of all ages can learn even more about the Hoosier President by going beyond the tour of the former president’s Indiana home.

For the wee ones, grab a copy of  Old Whiskers Escapes!: A True White House Tale (A Grandpa President Adventure) This picture book comically describes the time President Benjamin Harrison chased the family goat down Pennsylvania Avenue after it escaped from the White House!

Teens looking to build their leadership skills or those with White House aspirations will want to look into the Future Presidents of America Youth Leadership Camp.

College students interested in a career in the museum industry should ask about the new eCurator initiative.

Anyone can delve into the new 3D eCollection allowing online visitors free access to print 2D and 3D replicas of over 10,000 presidential artifacts.

If presidential humor is your thing, don’t miss the temporary exhibit in the Welcome Center, which highlights hilarious quotes, photos, and tchotchke from our country’s leaders over the years.

Special events and various live theater performances can also be experienced at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.

Still craving more presidential insights? Be sure to check out the PBS award-winning documentary “Benjamin Harrison: President at the Crossroads” for even more behind the scenes info on the esteemed 23rd President of the United States.

Time to Plan Your Visit

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
1230 N. Delaware Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 631-1888
www.pbhsite.org

Monday-Saturday 10-3:30, Sunday 12-3:30
Adults $12, Children $7
Become a member ($45) to visit as often as you like and take advantage of many other benefits and discounts.

Have a fun presidential fact to share or a favorite historical site I should visit? Comment below!

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

I’d like to extend a HUGE thank you to the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site for hosting our visit!  As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

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