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 Updated: 4/20/2012 
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Indianapolis, Indiana
Description
Description

The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site (BHPS)--a not for profit, tax-exempt organization--is dedicated to maintaining and preserving the Harrison family home as a museum and memorial to the only President of the United States elected from the State of Indiana. Open to the public as an educational and historical service, the Site seeks to promote patriotism and citizenship through appropriate educational activities and by artfully exhibiting the Victorian time period as Harrison and his family might have experienced it.

Mission
Mission

The mission of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is to increase public understanding of, appreciation for, and participation in the American system of self-government through the life stories, arts and culture of an American President.

History
History

As a successful attorney, Benjamin Harrison purchased a double lot on the west side of North Delaware Street at auction in 1867. In 1874, be began construction of his 16-room Italianate style house, a carriage house, brick drive and landscaping. The cost was $24,818.67. Except for the periods 1881 to 1887, when Harrison was in the U.S. Senate and 1889 to 1893, the presidential years, Benjamin Harrison, his wife Caroline and their two children, Russell and Mary lived in the Delaware Street home.

After his presidency in 1893, Harrison returned to Indianapolis a widower. Caroline died in the White House in 1892. Harrison made several changes to the Delaware Street home including the addition of an English-Regency front porch, electricity and updated plumbing. In 1896 Harrison married his wife's niece, Mary Lord Dimmick. Mary Lord and Benjamin had a daughter, Elizabeth, in 1897. Harrison died in the home on March 13, 1901.

After Harrison's death, Mary and Elizabeth lived in the home until 1913 and then moved to New York. From 1913 to 1937, the house was rented to various families and eventually became a rooming house. In March of 1937, the Arthur Jordan Foundation purchased the house and furniture. The Arthur Jordan Foundation used the home as a dormitory for the female students in the Jordan Conservatory of Music housed in a readapted home on a south adjoining lot. The purchase of the home included a provision that the home would also be considered a memorial to Benjamin Harrison.

In 1951, the music school moved to Butler University where it continues to be known as Jordan College. As per their agreement with Mrs. Harrison the Arthur Jordan Foundation Trustees opened the Harrison home to the public. In 1964, the United States Department of Interior named the home a National Historic Landmark. In 1966, the Jordan Foundation created the President Benjamin Harrison Foundation (now the "Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, Inc.") to maintain and operate the home in accordance with the statement of purpose.

Artifact Collections
Artifact Collections

The collection is comprised of several sub-collections or archival categories. The main collection contains the artifacts recorded in the collect database and includes the textile, political, historic photograph, document, fine arts, and furniture collections. The library collection contains the archival and book materials recorded in the library databases. This includes the book, letter, newspaper, microfilm, audiotape, and pamphlet collections. The majority of the book collection was owned by the Harrison family and are designated reserved. Current publications are designated lending. The library collection also includes the DAR archives, 70th Regimental archives, BHPS archives, and the Fordham University returned items archives.

Research Collections
Research Collection

The Library at the BHPS features the largest collection of papers for President Benjamin Harrison than any other institution other than the Library of Congress. The collection of Harrison letters, pamphlets, newspapers, and books help tell the story of the Gilded Age and the Harrison family.

Programs
Education Programs

The educational programs offered by the BHPS are designed to confirm the commitment of the Harrison home and the life of the Harrison family as an educational and historical service. Every attempt is made to present material in as great a variety of skillful techniques as time and talent allow.

Our elementary school education program provides a forum to increase understanding of the American system of self-government and promote insight into the objectives of our nation's founding generation whose vision, confidence and sacrifice empowered our current political institutions. We offer a broad selection of age and grade appropriate programs and guided tours of the home itself, available for all elementary grades, which are specifically designed to coordinate with and enrich the State of Indiana's social studies curriculum, most specifically in the areas of history, civics and government. Educational programs such as "Settlers and Surveyors," "The Signing," "Native Americans of Indiana," "Wooden Soldiers," "Bustles to Ballots," "Through Minerva's Eyes," and "Wooden Soldiers" provide unforgettable enrichment opportunities for these children.

Please see our web site for more information and class prices as well as information about our robust volunteer/docent program: www.bhpsite.org.

Library

Access: Students, Scholars

Appointment required: True

Services
Gift Shop
Online Gift Shop
Event Rental
Group Tours
Street Address
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
1230 North Delaware Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Mailing Address
1230 North Delaware Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
phone: 317-631-1888
fax: 317-632-5488
e-mail: harrison@bhpsite.org
home page: www.bhpsite.org
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Hours of Operation
Tour Hours

Mondays - Saturdays 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
Sundays in June and July 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Tours are on the hour and half-hour and last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Admission

General Admission: $8
Seniors (over 65): $6
Youth (5-17): $3
Children under 5: Free

Museum Type(s)
History
Historic House
Specialized
Staff
DISCLAIMER
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