Warren G. Harding Presidential Center

The Warren G. Harding Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library of Warren G. Harding, the 29th president of the United States (1921–1923). It was scheduled to open on September 4, 2020; followed by a formal dedication ceremony later on September 18, 2020.[2] However, the opening was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3][4] The library was officially opened to the public May 12, 2021.[5]

Warren G. Harding Presidential Center
The Warren G. Harding Presidential Center in 2022
General information
Town or cityMarion, Ohio
Coordinates40°35′14.1″N 83°7′19″W
Named forPresident Warren G. Harding
GroundbreakingMarch 2019[1]
OpenedMarch 12, 2021
Website
hardingpresidentialsites.org/harding-presidential-library/
This article is part of
a series about
Warren G. Harding
Political rise
29th President of the United States
Presidential campaigns
Controversies

Warren G. Harding's signature

Seal of the President of the United States

It is located in Marion, Ohio, adjacent to the Harding Home, the historic house museum of the former president.[6] The 2020 scheduled completion date was set to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Warren G. Harding's win in the 1920 presidential election.[6]

The $7.5 million project was announced on April 12, 2016, by Harding 2020, a collaboration between the Harding Home, Marion Technical College, and the Ohio History Connection. Both of Ohio's U.S. Senators, Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, are honorary co-chairs of the project.[7]

Plans included the construction of the 15,000-square-foot center and museum.[2] The center has interactive exhibits of the former president,[7] as well as meeting space.[8] The center houses artifacts and memorabilia that were once owned by the former president and his wife Florence Harding.[6] In addition, the center houses Harding's presidential papers, which were previously stored at the Ohio History Connection's headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, since 1963.[2][6]

About $1.3 million will also be spent to restore the Harding Home and its grounds to reflect how they appeared in 1920.[7]

Sherry Hall, manager of the Harding Home, told The Plain Dealer that the center will help inform visitors about Harding's presidency beyond the single paragraph found in most textbooks. "Quite frankly, this president deserves for his story to be told," stated Hall.[7]

References
  1. "Harding Presidential Library – Harding Presidential Sites". Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  2. Carter, Andrew (August 9, 2019). "Walls rising at Harding Presidential Center in Marion". The Marion Star.
  3. Carter, Andrew. "Harding presidential museum opening indefinitely postponed amid COVID-19". The Marion Star. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  4. "Waiting on Harding: Pandemic delays opening of presidential center - Galion Inquirer". www.galioninquirer.com. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  5. Walker, Micah. "'After so long, it's very rewarding to see them enjoying the site.' Harding Presidential Sites open after one-year delay". The Marion Star. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  6. Carter, Andrew (April 12, 2016). "7.3M Harding Presidential Center opens in 2020". The Marion Star.
  7. Glaser, Susan (April 12, 2016). "$7 million Harding Presidential Center proposed for Marion, Ohio". The Plain Dealer.
  8. "Efforts begin to restore President Harding's home in Ohio". Associated Press. Toledo Blade. April 12, 2016.
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