INDIANAPOLIS — It was the home of the 23rd president of the United States, Benjamin Harrison. Now, it’s a National Historic Landmark about to get a $6 million transformation.
The Old Glory, New Vision capital campaign will be enhancing more than two acres outside the Benjamin Harrison Presidential site, and making renovations to Harrison’s home to give the community better access and education to its history.
“So, with these enhancements it will allow us to better connect within our neighborhood, to allow better walkability and bikeability, and to better imbue the property with educational elements,” said Charles A. Hyde, President and CEO of Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.
Key additions to the site include:
- The Johnson-Floyd Family Presidential Commons: An entry way into Citizenship Plaza, which will feature viewing cases with America’s founding documents
- The Stan & Sandy Hurt Presidential Promenade: A way to guide visitors to the home of Harrison, allowing them to follow the “footsteps of the founders.”
- A new neighborway: Connecting Pennsylvania and Delaware Streets for enhanced walkability and bikeability
- New signature signage: Highlighting the Presidential Site’s presence to thousands of cars driving up Delaware Street daily
- Residence enhancements: Enhancements to the first, second and third floors to make the museum more engaging for students, visitors and scholars.
Old Glory, New Vision broke ground on Tuesday, and people will slowly begin to see the transformation take place.
Hyde said at first the changes will come gradually, but hopefully a majority of the outdoor work will be completed this year. By 2022 the inside will hopefully be completed, with the full project coming to an end around 2023.
“All of these spaces are designed specifically to help us better educate the more than 17,000 school children that come through the museum each year,” said Hyde. “And give them a better understanding not just of America’s Hoosier President, Benjamin Harrison, but the American presidency at large.”
The site gets about 30,000 visitors each year.
To learn more or to make a gift in support, visit PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org or OldGloryNewVision.org.
