Smart Talk: PA and presidential history
Photo by Scott LaMar/WITF
The main house on the Eisenhower Farm
What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, February 16, 2015:
Even though only one Pennsylvanian — Jame Buchanan — has been elected President of the United States, Pennsylvania has played a significant role in presidential history.
Monday is President’s Day. On Monday’s Smart Talk, we’ll learn about the history of two presidents in Central Pennsylvania.
President Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House from 1953 to1961. After his term ended, Eisenhower and his wife Mamie moved to a farm just off the Gettysburg battlefield. Ike continued to entertain world leaders like former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on the farm.
Photo by Scott LaMar/WITF
The Eisenhower’s living room during the holiday season. The rug in front of the fire place was a gift from the Shah of Iran.
National Park Ranger Rick Lemmers appears on Smart Talk to discuss Eisenhower’s life, presidency, and time in Gettysburg.
Howard Parker and Rick Lemmers
Also, the very first national working party convention was held in Harrisburg when the Whigs nominated their candidate in December 1839.
William Henry Harrison, who would go on to be president, was nominated over statesman Henry Clay and military hero Winfield Scott. History remembers the ticket as “Tippycanoe and Tyler too.”
Photo by Scott LaMar/WITF
Zion Lutheran Church in Harrisburg where the Whig Party held their 1839 convention
The convention was held at Zion Lutheran Church, which still stands in downtown Harrisburg.
Howard Parker, with the Dauphin County Historical Society joins us on Smart Talk.
Mentioned on the show today: The Eisenhower Society
