The Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation and The Society of Presidential Descendants partner to present “Presidential Families Weekend and Forum”

Photo, top row, left to right: Clifton Truman Daniel, Susan Ford Bales, Mary Jean Eisenhower; second row, left to right: Massee McKinley, Patricia Taft, Dr. Kurt Graham.

The Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation, in partnership with The Society of Presidential Descendants, is set to present a series of special events in celebration of Presidents’ Day Weekend, Sat., Feb. 18 through Mon., Feb. 20, 2023.

Centerpiece of the programming is a Sat., February 18, moderated forum featuring five notable presidential descendants who will share perspectives on the topic of “American Bipartisanship: Working Across the Aisle.” Moderated by Dr. Kurt Graham, director of Independence, Missouri’s Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, participating descendants are: Susan Ford Bales, daughter of President Gerald Ford; Clifton Truman Daniel, grandson of Harry S. Truman; Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of General Dwight D. Eisenhower; Massee McKinley, great-great grandson Grover Cleveland, and great-great nephew of William McKinley; and Patricia Taft, great-granddaughter of William Howard Taft.

Forum tickets are $40 each for Harry S. Truman Foundation members, $60 for non-members. The Forum begins at 4:30pm, with doors and cash bar opening at 4:00pm. Following the Forum, winners of the inaugural Monroe County student essay competition will be announced, after which attendees can mingle and enjoy cocktails on the lawn.

On Mon., Feb. 20, Clifton Truman Daniel, grandson of Harry S. Truman, will take the stage in a live performance of the long-running and highly acclaimed stage production, ‘Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!’, a dynamic one-man-show that celebrates the unique persona and presidency of 33rd U.S. President Truman. Truman Daniel, a professional actor, humanitarian, news writer and editor, is the first direct descendant to portray a presidential ancestor in a stage production of this kind.

At press time, limited tickets were still available for the 5:00pm Monday performance; Sunday evening’s scheduled performance is sold out. ‘Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!’ seating is arranged at 2-top and 4-top bistro tables: 2-tops are $80 for Society members, $120 for non-members; 4-tops $160 for members, $240 for non-members. The performance begins at 5:00pm, with doors and cash bar opening at 4:15pm.

Daytime on Monday, February 20, the Little White House grounds will provide the setting for a family-friendly Presidents’ Day cookout with hamburgers, veggie burgers, and hotdogs available for purchase. A cash bar will also be available, and attendees are welcome to bring a picnic blanket for the lunchtime event.

The annual “Presidential Families Weekend and Forum” is the largest Presidents’ Day Weekend gathering of presidential descendants in the country. All events are to take place on the grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House, 111 Front Street, Key West, Florida. Other weekend offerings include guided tours of the Historic Little White House, self-guided botanical lawn tours, and ancillary cocktail parties. The “Presidential Families Weekend and Forum” is presented with the support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For tickets and information visit www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.org/foundation/events/; questions, email [email protected].

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