The 2025 Warren G. Harding Symposium

Warren G. Harding Symposium 2025
“Politics on the Doorstep: Presidential Front Porch Campaigns"

July 18-19, 2025

The ways that Presidential candidates have reached out to voters throughout U.S. history have changed dramatically. Today, successful candidates must reach out, communicate, and persuade voters that they deserve their votes in aggressive, expensive, and technology-driven campaigns. But during the Jeffersonian Era, candidates followed the maxim the founding fathers had subscribed to – the office seeks the man - not vice versa. 

The first presidential candidate to tour and give speeches to adoring throngs was William Henry Harrison during his successful presidential campaign in 1840. Between 1852 and 1872, the following four major party nominees that stumped lost. From this historical backdrop, 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 unique presidential campaigns. Featured presenters will include experts from all four presidential sites. 

Looking for Single Event Tickets for the Harding Symposium? Click Here!

Schedule of Events

Friday, July l8

• Harding Presidential Library is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.


• Tours of Harding Home are available on the hour, 10, 11, 12, 1, and 2 p.m.


• Brown Bag lunch and program: Jon Andersen, “What About the Smoke-Filled Room?” Free
  lunch for members of Friends of WG Harding; reduced price of $15 for Garfield, McKinley,
  Harrison members and symposium attendees: the regular price is $20. Registration required. 11:30-12:50


• The site closes at 3 p.m. to the public


• Symposium Opening Reception: 6-8:30 p.m. No charge for Symposium speakers. Attendees must register in advance.

Saturday, July 19

• Harding Presidential Library is open 9-5 p.m.


• Harding Home tours are available on the hour starting at 10 a.m. The last tour is at 4 p.m.


• Annual Presidential Wreath-laying Ceremony, 10:30-11 a.m. Free event.

Saturday, July 19

• 1 p.m. – Afternoon Workshop Sessions, The Ohio State University at Marion campus.


• 1-2 p.m.: Alan Gephardt, Garfield


• 2:10-3:10 p.m.: Jennifer Capper, B. Harrison


• 3:20-4:20 p.m.: Kimberly Kenney, McKinley


• 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Sherry Hall, Harding


• 5:30 p.m.: Concluding remarks, Gary Iams, Symposium Committee Chair

Saturday, July 19

• Gala Dinner and Panel Discussion, 6-8 p.m.

Symposium Pricing

Complete Symposium Package (Includes opening reception, workshops, and dinner):

• $150 (Brown Bag luncheon & program, Harding Home & Presidential Library tours are sold separately.)

Individual Event Pricing:

• Opening Reception: $40


• Workshop Sessions: $75


• Dinner: $50

*Brown Bag Lunch & program at Harding Library & Museum, 11:30-12:50 p.m. FREE for Friends
of WG Harding; $15.00 for Garfield, McKinley, and Harrison presidential sites members; $20 for
non-members. Registration is required by July 13. To purchase an annual Harding membership
via phone, please call 800-600-6894.