A resurgence of interest in the often maligned presidency of Ohio’s native son, President Warren G. Harding, is being driven by revelations and a renewed outlook on the Harding administration, its accomplishments and impact on American history. With that resurgence, academia and historians plan to collaborate at the inaugural Harding Symposium in Marion.
Ohio’s flagship university is leading the drive for an annual public exchange of research and knowledge by authors, professors, and historians called, “The Warren G. Harding Symposium, The Man, the Myth, and the Legacy.” The symposium, in its inaugural year, will be held July 23rd & 24th in Harding’s hometown of Marion, Ohio.
The Friday and Saturday event will feature tours of the Harding Home, the Harding Memorial, and the Marion County Historical Society, seminars by Harding researcher and author James Robenalt, Warren G. Harding III (the president’s grandnephew), and local historians Gale Martin and Sherry Hall, each exploring different aspects of the mythology and legacy surrounding Warren G. Harding. Workshop sessions featuring noted authors and Harding researchers will be held on the Marion campus of The Ohio State University. The weekend-long event will be capped off with a Harding Gala Dinner in Maynard Hall’s Guthery Community Room featuring extensive exhibits of Harding memorabilia, period antique automobiles, and a panel discussion.
According to noted Harding author and expert James Robenalt, the time is right to get past the scandals that broke after Harding’s death in office and look at the substance of his presidency.
“I really think it is the time right now to take another look at Warren Harding. My research in writing this book led me to see pretty clearly that his reputation as a president was totally overwhelmed by scandals, innuendo, and mythology that grew up after his presidency,” explained Robenalt.
Those interested in learning more about the Harding Symposium can find registration information, pricing, a schedule of events, directions and more at: http://osumarion.osu.edu/harding or by calling Ohio State Marion at, 740-725-6340.
Those interested in taking part in any of the weekend events and lectures are encouraged to sign up before June 30, 2010, to take advantage of early bird registration discounts.
The Warren G. Harding Symposium is a collaborative effort between The Ohio State University at Marion, the Ohio Historical Society, Marion Technical College, the Harding Home & Memorial, and the Marion County Historical Society.
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