Six Degrees of Benjamin Harrison

(Part 2 of 2 of a special edition of Six Degrees of Benjamin Harrison)In the second half of a conversation about the Cold Spring Murders of 1868, Benjamin Harrison, and woman murder suspect Nancy Clem, Donna Wing, James Trofatter, Charlie Hyde, and host Molly Beausir explore the question of Clem's innocence or guilt. James Trofatter is the resident playwright of Candlelight Theatre, which has been partnering with the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site over 18 years - using the historic mansion of the Hoosier President as a backdrop for innovative theatre experiences. He's written and adapted a play inspired by the Cold Spring Murders and suspect Nancy Clem, which involves audience participation in determining her guilt or innocence. Donna Wing is Candlelight's Creative Director, and has taken on the role of Nancy Clem numerous times in Trofatter's play adaptation of the criminal case. Both have made up their minds and then changed it regarding the question of Clem's involvement in the murders, and on this episode, they share their thoughts on what really happened in the case of Cold Spring. Decide for yourself whether Clem is innocent or guilty, and attend James Trofatter's play "Not/Guilty' at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in summer 2021. The play is being reprised in honor of the Bicentennial of Indianapolis. Get tickets and event information now at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org . Episode hosted and produced by Russell and Penny Fortune Project POTUS Presidential Fellow Molly Beausir, with the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.

(Part 1 of a 2 segment edition of Six Degrees of Benjamin Harrison)In September 1868, a grisly double murder in Indianapolis quickly became a national sensation. With a woman suspect, a suspicious financial scheme happening behind the scenes, a future president prosecutor (Benjamin Harrison), and a seriously confusing mix of alibis and evidence, this still-unsolved case is a tricky one. Luckily, longtime partners of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site are here to help us work out what might have happened. Donna Wing, Creative Director with Candlelight Theatre, which has been partnering with the Presidential Site over 18 years, and James Trofatter, the theatre organization's resident playwright, join Charles Hyde, President and CEO of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, and host Molly Beausir to chat about this head-scratching criminal case. You won't want to miss this one. And you can experience the case live and in person this summer by attending Candlelight Theatre's production of James Trofatter's play "Not/Guilty" at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. The 23rd President's home will be used as the backdrop to this drama in which audience members play the role of jury to determine the guilt or innocence of murder suspect Nancy Clem. Tickets and event information can be found on our website under the 'Visit' tab, at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org .

Special guest Ted Grossnickle of Johnson and Grossnickle Associates joins President and CEO of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, Charles Hyde, and host and Russell and Penny Project POTUS Presidential Fellow, Molly Beausir, to chat about what the relationship between the Presidency and Philanthropy has been like in our nation's history. We also highlight President Benjamin Harrison's reaction to the aftermath of the catastrophic Johnstown Flood in 1889, and its impact on presidential response to disasters and crises in American History.To learn more about the 23rd President, visit PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org .

VP of Education with the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site Roger Hardig and 4th grade teacher out of West Lafayette, Indiana Patrick Roe join Molly Beausir, host and Russell and Penny Project POTUS Presidential Fellow, to talk about Harrison holiday traditions, school programs, and more! For information about educational opportunities including virtual and in-person field trips, free learning resources, and much more, visit the 'learn' tab at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org .

Benjamin Harrison received the Republican nomination to the presidency in the summer of 1888, and the reaction in Indianapolis on the day the decision was made can only be described as remarkable. To understand why one Indianapolis citizen at the time described the evening that ensued as "The Night Indianapolis Roared," listen to special guests Daniel Miller, author, historian, and founder of Indianapolis-based Historical Solutions, Alison Baker, the New Century Curatorial Fellow with the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, and our own VP of Curatorship and Exhibition Jennifer Capps tell the story of June 25th, 1888. The subject material in this segment is also the focus of the newest exhibit from the Presidential Site, "The Night Indianapolis Roared," on display now through November 2021. For exhibit information and more from the home of the Hoosier President, visit PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org .Hosted and produced by Russell and Penny Fortune Project POTUS Presidential Fellow, Molly Beausir.

How can we possibly relate the 23rd President to the modern day Coronavirus pandemic you ask? You'd be surprised! Listen now to hear guest Gary Larreategui, Saturday Supervisor at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site share his research about epidemics in Indianapolis history and the Harrison administration's run ins with disease in the White House. Guests include: Gary Larreategui, Weekend Supervisor, Charles Hyde, President and CEO, and Jennifer Capps, VP of Curatorship and Exhibition, all of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.

In the second episode of Six Degrees of Benjamin Harrison, we learn how Benjamin Harrison and his family ended up living in Indianapolis as a young and newly married Benjamin Harrison jumpstarted his career as a lawyer. The presidential site staff describes the home the Harrisons built in 1874 that is now the home of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in downtown Indianapolis. Guests include: Charlie Hyde, President and CEO of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site and Jennifer Capps, VP of Curatorship and Exhibition at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

During late July, we're usually getting ready to host our annual Naturalization Ceremony in partnership with the federal courts, like we have for the past 15+ years. This year, due to the ongoing public health issue, we can't celebrate in person, but we were honored to interview Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker of the United States District Court. Judge Barker has been the presiding judge over the ceremony we host for many years. She shared with us some of the history of the citizenship process in the United States, and reflected on the meaning of the Naturalization Ceremony and how it touches those who are becoming new citizens, those who preside over the ceremony, and those who are able to witness this unique celebration.(This is the second part of a two episode series about Naturalization, Citizenship, and Immigration History)Guests include: Charlie Hyde, President and Ceo of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, & Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker, who presides over the Southern District of Indiana as a judge of the United States District Court

In part one of a two part series about Immigration, the Citizenship Process, and how the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site fits in, staff of the site discuss the opening of Ellis Island during Harrison's administration, the Immigration Act of 1891, the Presidential Site's educational "Coming to America" program for elementary aged students, and unique Citizenship classes offered in partnership with the New York Historical Society at the Presidential Site. Guests on this episode, from the staff of the Presidential Site:Roger Hardig, VP of EducationJennifer Capps, VP of Curatorship and ExhibitionCharlie Hyde, President and CEOLearn more! Visit PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org