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A birthday celebration for Indiana’s only president

Sunday, Aug. 20 is Hoosier President Benjamin Harrison’s 190th birthday, so his former home turned living history museum is hosting tours to celebrate.

A tent set up outside the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

The Juneteenth Foodways Festival is back for its second year at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.

Photo by INDYtoday team

Table of Contents
Now

Did you know Benjamin Harrison is the only United States president elected from Indiana?

Then

Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd president (serving from 1889-1893) and he was also the centennial president — inaugurated 100 years after George Washington.

Here are just some of his accomplishments:

  • He facilitated the creation of the national forest reserves through an amendment to the Land Revision Act of 1891.
  • He helped introduce civil rights legislation + established relations with Central America — resulting in the Pan-American Games.
  • He helped to create a unified party that would win the White House in 1896.
Inside President Benjamin Harrison's house

How cool is this — you can walk through the home of a former US president right here in downtown Indianapolis.

Photo by INDYtoday team

Now

This Sunday, Aug. 20 is the president’s 190th birthday. To celebrate, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site located at 1230 N. Delaware St. will be giving free first-floor tours of his former home.

The 10,000-sqft Italianate Victorian family home of President Benjamin Harrison was built in 1875 + is beautifully furnished with many of his paintings, furniture, and other artifacts including political memorabilia.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. you can meet reenactors portraying President Harrison and his family for an authentic experience at the Hoosier president’s home. Join the celebration by singing “Happy Birthday” and enjoy complimentary birthday treats.

On Saturday, Aug. 19 there will also be a wreath laying ceremony where the president is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery — it is open to the public.

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