“Protect the Vote!”, opening Jan. 23 at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, will highlight how the United States voting process has changed over the years to become more secure. The exhibit explores the evolution of voting technology over time and the political instances which led to those changes.
With this new exhibit opening during a presidential election year, the Presidential Site hopes to inspire confidence in the electoral process by revealing the sustained efforts and advances made to protect and ensure a fair and free ballot.
Visitors will take a walk through time, learning how people once voted and why advancements have been made. It will include historical voting machines such as the direct recording voting system, the “hanging chad” and the glass ballot box. The exhibit will also feature more about President Benjamin Harrison’s role in protecting the voting process and his involvement with the Federal Elections Bill, which would have protected the African American right to vote had it been successful.
“Leveraging technological innovation to help ensure fair and free elections has been fundamental to our system of self-government over the past two centuries,” said Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site President and CEO Charles Hyde. “It goes hand-in-hand with expanding voting rights and inspiring public confidence in the mechanism by which they choose their public officials. These remarkable artifacts on display truly tell the story of where we’ve been, where we are – and what the future might hold for us – as a nation.”
“Protect the Vote!” is part of the New Century Curator Initiative, a partnership between the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site and IUPUI’s Museum Studies program. This partnership offers an innovative opportunity for Museum Studies students to assist in developing an exhibit for the Presidential Site. It’s a career-launching opportunity for a top-tier student to explore and interact with a nationally-significant collection. The 2019 Curatorial Fellow is IUPUI student Brianna Jackson.
“We hope “Protect the Vote!” provides a new perspective on a fundamental right,” said Jackson. “We live in a country where all citizens are unified by their right to vote. Please consider visiting to learn about the evolution of voting technology, notable political scandals and how the right to vote has changed throughout history in order to include the voices of all United States citizens.”
The exhibit grand opening is set for 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23 in the Welcome Center of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $6 per person and available at EventBrite. Members and IUPUI students, faculty and their guests receive free admission.
“Protect the Vote!” will run through Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020.
To experience the new exhibit, guests may purchase a daily ticket to the Presidential Site which includes a guided tour of the home and access to special exhibits. Tours run on the hour and half-hour, and last approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Hours are 10 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Sunday through Saturday. Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for active military, veterans and seniors, $7 for children age 5 to 17 and college students with ID, and free for members and children ages 4 and under. Tickets may be reserved at presidentbenjaminharrison.org.
For additional details visit presidentbenjaminharrison.org/visit.
About the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
Voted No. 5 Thing Do in Indianapolis by TripAdvisor in 2019, the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site celebrates the remarkable legacy of America’s Hoosier President. The museum is a national historic landmark situated within easy walking distance of downtown Indianapolis and the bustling 16th Street corridor. The 1875 Italianate mansion is exquisitely restored and has an exceptional collection of more than 10,000 artifacts. Daily tours of the property include a 75-minute guided tour through the Harrison house and private quarters. Highlights include an awe-inspiring collection of Gilded Age finery, paintings, furniture and personal presidential gifts and mementos. The privately operated, non-profit organization receives no direct tax support and is dedicated to sharing the life stories, arts and culture of an American President to increase public participation in the American system of self-government. Find out more at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org.