2024/Program/Crawl/Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Take a tour of this beautiful 10,000 sq.ft. Italianate Victorian family home of President Benjamin Harrison – the 23rd US president (1889-1893) and Indiana’s only president. Built in 1875, the home is beautifully furnished with many of Harrison’s paintings, furniture, and other artifacts including political memorabilia. The dining room features presidential china, and Harrison’s study is filled with personal belongings from his White House years and his oval office desk. The majority of the house furnishings—which give an accurate view of the Victorian era—are original to the Harrison family, including stunningly recreated original wallpaper designs in the parlors and library. While not the most famous president, there were several notable achievements during Harrison's administration. Harrison signed the Sherman Antitrust Act, the first federal law to combat monopolies and promote fair competition in business. Harrison also signed the McKinley Tariff, which raised duties to protect domestic industries, and supported veterans by increasing pensions for Civil War soldiers. Additionally, six new states were admitted to the Union under his leadership. For his time, Harrison was known as a strong advocate for civil rights, pushing for federal protection of African American voting rights, though his efforts were blocked in Congress. He also modernized the U.S. Navy, making it a more formidable force. The current special exhibit, Life in the White House, showcases rarely seen photographs, memorabilia, letters, and personal effects belonging to various members of the Harrison family while living in the White House, to highlight how the Harrison family navigated private and public life while living in the "people’s house."
Address: 200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204 |
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11:00am – 11:45am
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1:00pm – 1:45pm
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