On this episode of 'Inspired by History,' Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection, about the original, signed reading copy of President Benjamin Harrison’s inaugural address. Raab discovered and acquired the historical manuscript over a decade ago. Now Raab is loaning it to Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis, where it will be on exhibit alongside other presidential documents and memorabilia, now through August. This episode also highlights Harrison's contributions as the 23rd President of the United States and discusses the value and rarity of historical presidential documents. The discussion underscores how such artifacts bring history to life and their importance in understanding presidential legacies.
00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History
00:34 Exploring the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
01:11 The Discovery of Harrison's Inaugural Address
01:38 Acquisition and Journey of the Historical Documents
02:34 Putting the Address on Exhibit at the Presidential Site
03:13 Significance of Historical Presidential Documents
06:11 Benjamin Harrison's Legacy and Accomplishments
08:15 The Role of Inaugural Addresses in American History
09:00 Conclusion and Podcast Information
Further Resources:
To learn more about this piece of American history: https://www.raabcollection.com/presidential-autographs/harrison-original-inaugural-manuscript
To see other historical documents related to Benjamin Harrison: https://www.raabcollection.com/presidents-autographs/benjamin-harrison-autograph
To visit the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site: https://bhpsite.org/
To check out Nathan Raab’s book, “The Hunt for History”: https://www.raabcollection.com/the-hunt-for-history