Nelson Price | Hoosier Revolutionary War Ties (NP)

As we advance toward America 250, join us for an exploration of the links – several of them little-known – between an array of notable Hoosiers and the country’s birth. The great-grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, the only U.S. president elected from Indiana, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison helped found the DAR – and, in doing so, became the very first First Lady to deliver a public speech. Unlikely as it may seem, George Washington’s drummer boy is buried in a cemetery in Indianapolis. And the legendary Shawnee chief Tecumseh fought with the British during the War of 1812 near the end of his life. The presentation will also explore wilderness characters on the Indiana frontier, such as Johnny Appleseed. A display of photos and illustrations will accompany the presentation.

Nelson Price is an Indianapolis-based author, journalist, and historian known for his engaging writing on Indiana people and places. His books include Indiana Legends, The Quiet Hero: A Life of Ryan White, and Legendary Hoosiers, and he co-authored Indianapolis Then and Now with Joan Hostetler. He hosts WICR-FM’s weekly call-in program “Hoosier History Live!” (on the air since 2008), and as a former Indianapolis Star columnist he frequently teaches, speaks around the state, and leads history tours. He has been named a Sagamore of the Wabash and serves on several civic and media boards.