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Warren G. Harding Symposium presents Taft, Wilson and Harding: First Ladies of Consequence
Warren G. Harding Symposium presents Taft, Wilson and Harding: First Ladies of Consequence
July 20, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
$50 – $150
Pictured left to right: Helen Herron “Nellie” Taft, Florence Harding, Ellen Wilson, and Edith Galt Wilson
Taft, Wilson and Harding: First Ladies of Consequence
July 19-20, 2024
Join us as the Warren G. Harding Symposium presents Taft, Wilson, and Harding: First Ladies of Consequence on July 19-20, 2024 in Marion, Ohio. This exciting event will feature outstanding scholars and historians focusing on a remarkable group of American First Ladies, each of whom faced difficult challenges and were able to leave an indelible mark on a fascinating era in the United States presidency.
Helen Herron “Nellie” Taft was one of her husband’s most astute and trusted advisors and was influential in many presidential decisions. She also gave the Taft administration a particular social brilliance. Ellen Wilson, the first wife of President Woodrow Wilson, played a major role in his career. She significantly changed the traditional role of the First Lady through her efforts to improve housing conditions for African Americans in Washington, D.C. Edith Galt Wilson was the president’s second wife. When her husband suffered a severe stroke, she functionally ran the Executive Branch of the government for the remainder of his presidency. Florence Harding was strong-willed and popular and had a major impact on her husband’s business and political careers. As First Lady, she opened the White House and grounds to the public and advocated for the rights of women and veterans.
The Warren G. Harding Symposium is a joint venture of The Ohio State University at Marion, the Ohio History Connection, and the Harding Presidential Sites.
Friday, July 19th:
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Tours of the Warren G. Harding Presidential Library and Museum & Harding Home
Warren G. Harding Presidential Library and Museum
380 Mount Vernon Avenue
Marion, OH 43302
For more information on tours, please contact the Harding Presidential Sites at 800-600-6894 or Sherry Hall at [email protected].
Friday, July 19th:
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Opening Reception
Warren G. Harding Presidential Library and Museum
380 Mount Vernon Avenue
Marion, OH 43302
The opening reception of the 2023 Warren G. Harding Symposium will be held at the Warren G. Harding Presidential Library and Museum in Marion, Ohio. This state-of-the-art facility opened in 2021 in Marion, Ohio. Along with refreshments and tours of that amazing facility, the evening will offer a meet and greet with our featured presenters and a panel discussion featuring descendants of Presidents Taft, Wilson, and Harding.
Saturday, July 20th:
10 a.m. – Presidential Wreath-laying Ceremony
The Harding Memorial
898 Delaware Avenue
Marion, Ohio 43302
The Harding Memorial is the final resting place of President and Mrs. Warren G. Harding. It is widely regarded as the most impressive presidential monument outside of Washington, D.C. Dedicated by President Herbert Hoover in 1931, the massive white marble structure is 103 feet in diameter and 53 feet high. On behalf of the White House, the United States Army will conduct the annual wreath-laying ceremony honoring President Harding.
Saturday, July 20th:
1 p.m. – Afternoon Workshop Sessions
The Ohio State University at Marion
Morrill Hall Auditorium, Room 100
1465 Mount Vernon Avenue
Marion, OH 43302
1 to 1:15 p.m. – Introduction
Sherry Hall
Author, researcher, and Harding Presidential Sites Manager
1:15 to 2:30 p.m. – Taft Session with Q & A
Dr. Rafaele Fierro
Author of “Helen Herron Taft: Forgotten Im-pact of a Memorable First Lady.”
2:45 to 4 p.m. – Wilson Session with Q & A
Rebecca Boggs Roberts
Author of Untold Power: The Fascinating Rise and Complex Legacy of First Lady Edith Galt Wilson.
4:14 to 5:30 p.m. – Harding Session with Q & A
Jonathan Andersen
Florence Harding researcher and historian
5:30 p.m. – Concluding Remarks
Saturday, July 20th:
6 to 8 p.m. – Gala Dinner
The Ohio State University at Marion
Maynard Hall, Room 220, Guthery Community Room
1465 Mount Vernon Avenue
Marion, OH 43302
Author, researcher, and Harding Presidential Sites Manager Sherry Hall will be the keynote speaker.