It was a typical Presidents’ Day in Michigan, cold with slight flurries. During my 5 Hour drive to Indianapolis the flurries became a deep winter storm. Arriving at the Harrison home in time for the 12 O'clock tour I was one of the few brave souls who had walked through the large wooden doors that day. Presidents’ Day is one of six occasions when re-enactors representing the Harrison family and staff warm the hearts and hearths of guests to bring life back to the historic home.I had planned to stay for only two hours at best, but with the slow pace of the day and my interest in presidential homes and museums each of the actors “broke character” with me to talk about their passion for history.
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States of America. He was son to John Scott Harrison a congressman from Ohio, grandson to William Henry Harrison the ninth president president of the United States of America, and great-grandson to Benjamin Harrison the fifth person to sign the declaration of independence in his role representing Virginia.
Benjamin Harrison was a one term president bookended by Grover Cleveland, the only president to win two non-consecutive terms. The Harrison story always begins with Cleveland’s wife telling White House staff that they will be returning, then ends as Cleveland, his wife and the famous baby Ruth triumphantly return. Harrison is lightly sprinkled in between.
The story that I learned about Harrison was his great love for his first wife Caroline. They met as teenagers, introduced by his professor which happened to be her father. From this time on they were great companions who loved each other very much. Like most couples they filled each others gaps. He was shy and “glacial” in making decisions, she was bright and engaging in many social circles.
The First Lady graduated from college studying art and music. He went to Miami of Ohio and passed the bar without formally going to law school, instead studying under great legal minds of his time.
Their home is filled with lovely art she created. Watercolors primarily and carefully crafted plates. Caroline created China Room for the White House to display all of the patterns from past Presidents. She was the first leader of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
He took great pride as a general during the Civil War raising troops and training them to become one of the most disciplined divisions that fought. Harrison was a supporter of President Lincoln and continuously spoke of giving former slaves the right to vote. He also served as a senator from Indiana.In October of 1892 Caroline Harrison died of tuberculosis. During the months building up to this Benjamin Harrison was by her side filled with grief and despair as she wasted away. He had accepted the Republican Party nomination to run for a second term but did not have the heart to run the campaign, it was broken at Caroline’s bedside.
During the years of mourning President Harrison returned to Indianapolis. He kept in touch with Caroline’s personal assistance and nice Mary Scott Lord. Mary lived in New York and would have dinner with the President when he was in town. She was a few month younger than the Presidents daughter.
Mary and Benjamin had a great much in common and eventually married. This caused a divid in the family between. Benjamin and Caroline’s children were not happy with the speed in which the two married. They were not pleased with the great gap in age.
Harrison and his second wife had a daughter. His remaining years were in Indianapolis home. The family never reconciled before his death.
One of the most interesting artifacts on display at the Harrison home is a handwritten note to the president in regards to his ill wife from Helen Keller. It has been authenticated that Helen wrote it herself.
My drive home was delayed due to all the time spent at the Harrison home. I made it to my second destination, The Dan Quayle Vice Presidential Museum just in time for the 4:30 pm closing.
It was either there at the corner or the rough Indiana back roads where my rear tire picked up a bit of metal. My tire pressure dropped. At a garage in the middle of nothing I attempted to change my flat only to find that the key to the tire lock is no longer in my car. The trip was much longer as I had to stop every 30 minutes to fill the tire at a gas station only to race on for the next 30 minutes before the sensor light came back on.The extended evening allowed my mind to drift through the lives of the First Family of the 23rd President. You don’t plan to be married multiple times or push your children away with your choices - but you are grateful to find someone to share life with. You may have the best intentions to adopt the McKinley Act - raising tariffs and switching to a gold/silver standard for the US economy. It seems like a good idea at the time, but you’re setting yourself up for failure.
