Warren G. Harding Symposium

Brown Bag Luncheon Program
12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Warren G. Harding Presidential Library and Museum
380 Mount Vernon Avenue
Marion, OH  43302

The compelling image of a smoke-filled room, a “place of political intrigue and chicanery where candidates were selected by party bosses in a cigar chewing session,” as described by William Safire, arose during the 1920 Republican convention.  Harding historian Jon Andersen will present the true story of Warren Harding’s nomination to the office of President of the United States, What About the Smoke-Filled Room?

NOTE: This event is free for members of Friends Warren G. Harding and symposium attendees.  Advance registration is required.  The Warren G. Harding Presidential Library & Museum will be open on Friday, July 18, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  Tours of the Harding Home will be available on the hour at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12 Noon, 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. To secure a spot on a tour, go to “Tickets” at www.hardingpresidentialsites.org.

Opening Reception 
6:00 to 8:30 p.m.                    

Warren G. Harding Presidential Library and Museum
380 Mount Vernon Avenue
Marion, OH  43302

The opening reception of the 2025 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.  Along with refreshments which will bring to mind the 1920 Harding campaign, and tours of the amazing Harding library and the newly-restored Harding Home, the evening will offer an immersion experience featuring re-enactors of key Harding campaign participants offering their views of the “ongoing” 1920 presidential campaign. 

Presidential Wreath-laying Ceremony     
10:30 a.m.

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’s service to our nation.  The service takes place in the interior of the Harding Memorial with members of the Harding family and other dignitaries in attendance.  This is a free event and open to the public.

 Afternoon Workshop Sessions  
 Beginning at 1:00 p.m.                               

The Ohio State University at Marion  
Morrill Hall Auditorium  
1465 Mount Vernon Avenue  
Marion, OH  43302

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.                   

Alan Gephardt has served as a park ranger at James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor, Ohio since 2009.  A native of Maryland, he earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Towson University and a master’s degree in history from the University of Maryland.  Gephardt has worked in the museum field since 1990 and became an employee of the National Park Service in 2007.  He has held postings at the Hampton National Historic Site in Towson, Maryland and at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore.  His lifelong interest in United States history and presidential history drew him to his current post.  There his principal duties are to interpret the life and career of James A. Garfield to the public and conduct tours of the Garfield home.  He has conducted extensive research in the Garfield papers at the Library of Congress.  He regularly speaks to a wide variety of audiences and writes scholarly articles relating to Garfield’s life and times.  

2:10 – 3:10 p.m.                    

 Jennifer Capps is a graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis where she majored in history and anthropology.  She has worked at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site for more than 30 years and currently serves as Vice President of Curatorship and Exhibition.  In that position she works with the Collections and Exhibitions Committee and the Building and Grounds Committee to oversee the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site collections and maintain the home of the nation’s 23^rd president.  Jennifer has served on the board of the Association of Indiana Museums, the Hoosier Chapter of the Victorian Society in America, and has been a member of several other professional organizations.   She currently serves as the Regent of the Caroline Scott Harrison Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.  Jennifer lives in a historic Indianapolis neighborhood where she enjoys gardening and spending time with her family and pets.

3:20 – 4:20 p.m.                   

  Kimberly Kenney was named curator at the McKinley Presidential Library and Museum in 2001 and became executive director of the site in 2019. She received a bachelor’s degree in American history and creative writing from Wells College in Aurora, NY. She also earned a master’s degree in history museum studies at the Cooperstown Graduate Program.  She is the author of nine books, including Exploring the American Presidency through 50 Historic Treasures, Stark County Food: From Early Farming to Modern Meals and Murder in Stark County. Her works have appeared in a number of professional and literary publications, and her program “The 1918 Influenza Pandemic” was featured on the C-SPAN network series American History TV.  She is a board member of the Ohio Local History Alliance and Friends of Canton City Parks & Recreation and serves on the City Landmark Commission for the City of Canton.

4:30 – 5:30 p.m.                   

Sheryl (Sherry) Smart Hall is a native of Marion, Ohio and graduated from Heidelberg University with majors in both English and American Studies. She began her career in journalism as a reporter for The Marion Star, serving as city hall and police reporter, as well as the Sunday edition editor.  She later served as an editor at The Alliance Review and bureau chief at The (Canton) Repository.  Sherry has been site manager of the Harding Presidential Sites in Marion, Ohio since 2009.  Prior to that, she managed the education programs for the site for nine years. She is an historian who specializes in the lives and times of Warren and Florence Harding.  She is the author of the 2014 book, Warren G. Harding and The Marion Daily Star: How Newspapering Shaped a President. She also authored a video script about the Hardings, designed education programs about the Harding era for schoolchildren and adults, and has written numerous newspaper and magazine articles. 

Concluding Remarks  
5:30 p.m.  

Gala Dinner and Panel Discussion  
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.                  

The Ohio State University at Marion  
The Guthery Room – Maynard Hall  
1465 Mount Vernon Avenue  
Marion, OH  43302

The concluding dinner of the 2025 Warren G. Harding Symposium will be hosted in the Guthrey Room in Maynard Hall.  Our featured presenters will participate in a panel discussion to summarize their sessions and answer questions from the audience.