Events

Who Stole the Naughty and Nice List: An Interactive Mystery Play

Something strange is afoot at the North Pole… Santa’s Naughty and Nice List has vanished—and without it, Christmas could be canceled! Now it’s up to you to crack the case. Join us at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site for this one-of-a-kind interactive mystery, where groups of 10 guests will journey through the historic residence together, interview classic Christmas characters, and uncover clues to find out who’s behind the list’s disappearance.

Dress in your most festive elf attire, bring your curiosity, and prepare to laugh, sleuth, and celebrate the season. Perfect for children and adults alike, this playful adventure blends holiday cheer with a dash of mystery—and your help is the key to saving Christmas!

There at the Founding Exhibit Grand Opening

The Harrison family helped lay the foundations of freedom in America. From participating in the Continental Congresses to leading territorial governments and the nation, Harrisons have played a crucial role in establishing the political norms and traditions of a young republic. Be among the first to explore a new special exhibit examining the thoughts and actions of three generations of Harrison men at the grand opening of There at the Founding.

Join us on January 22 to enjoy light refreshments and chat with the Presidential Site exhibits team during this open-house style exhibit opening.

Tickets for this exhibit opening are free for Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site members and $6 for nonmembers.

Romance & Remembrance

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an evening that blends romance, artistry, and history inside one of Indianapolis’s most enchanting settings.

LIVE! Presidents’ Day

Celebrate Presidents’ Day at the President’s home!  Live enactors engage with you and your guests as if it were 1891 and the Harrisons are home from the White House for a brief trip.

Presidential Egg Roll Presented by HATCH + The Indiana Poultry Association

Mark your calendar and join us for our annual Presidential Egg Roll – the only egg roll in Indy!

Enjoy a morning filled with crafts, games, prizes, and delicious food as we celebrate the season together.

Choose Your Murder

Step inside a world of suspense at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s latest theater experience. Choose your path – Night Watch or a duo of thrilling short plays – and choose your fate.

Victorian Floriography Workshop

Step into a world where every bloom has something to say. As our historic peonies burst into peak color, we’ll explore the Victorian art of sending secret messages through flowers.

After a tour through our historic gardens, you’ll learn how blossoms once served as coded language—and then create your own arrangement that speaks straight from the heart. Sip wine, snack on charcuterie, and enjoy a hands-on floral experience that blends history, beauty, and imagination.

Garden Party

Celebrate the beauty of spring at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s Garden Party on May 16!

Juneteenth Foodways Festival

Juneteenth Foodways Festival, made possible through the generosity of Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, features an interactive food experience highlighting the hidden history of diverse Hoosiers from the 1860s-1890s from the perspective of African-Americans. It shares Black foodways contributions to American culture with a focus on Dolly Johnson, the White House Chef hired by President Harrison.

Independence Day Social

Try your hand at vintage yard games on the scenic south lawn, enjoy a free first floor tour of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site and cool off with some ice cream while listening to music!

LIVE! President Harrison’s Birthday

Join us in celebrating Benjamin Harrison’s 193rd Birthday with free first floor tours and complimentary birthday treats.

LIVE! Election Day

Get a glimpse of the Harrison family as they eagerly await results from the 1888 presidential election and learn if they’ll be the newest occupants of the white house. Is General Harrison ready to become President? What does his wife, Caroline, think of the over 80 speeches he gave to more than 80,000 people from their front porch during the campaign?

Learn the answers to all of these questions and more at our LIVE! Election Day Event!