The ways that Presidential candidates have reached out to voters over the course of U.S. history have changed dramatically. Today, successful candidates must reach out, communicate and persuade voters that they deserve their votes in campaigns that are aggressive, expensive and driven by technology. But during the Jeffersonian Era, candidates followed the maxim that the founding fathers had subscribed to – the office seeks the man - not the other way around.
The first presidential candidate to tour and give speeches to adoring throngs was William Henry Harrison during his successful presidential campaign in 1840. But between 1852 and 1872, the next four major party nominees that stumped … lost. It was from this historic backdrop that James Garfield had to figure out how to campaign for the presidency in 1880. Inviting voters to his home to hear him give speeches, meet his family, and take some food from his farm as a gift, he struck a middle ground between stumping and being too quiet. And with that, the presidential Front Porch Campaign was born!
In the next forty years, three more successful presidential front porch campaigns were conducted: Benjamin Harrison in 1888, William McKinley in 1896 and Warren Harding in 1920. The 2025 Warren G. Harding Symposium will take an in-depth look at all four of these unique presidential campaigns. Featured presenters will include experts from all four presidential sites. Mark your calendars now!
Symposium Prices
Full package (opening reception, workshops, and dinner) $150
Opening reception only $40
Workshop sessions only $75
Dinner only $50