Children to Campaign for President

Have you ever wanted to launch your own presidential campaign? Think you can come up with a better slogan than McCain or Obama? On Saturday, March 7th from 1:00-5:00 p.m. you can put your ambitions to the test. The Elkhart County Historical Museum invites children and families to try out their campaign skills by participating in a children’s activity day full of presidential campaigning.

Presidential campaigns have been very creative throughout the years not only with their messages, but also with their means of communication. “Candidates have utilized everything from coins and dolls to cigarettes and neckties to promote their campaigns,” says Curator of Education Rebecca Oestreich. “We wanted to give children the opportunity to explore many of these different campaigning techniques”. For example, children will create a slogan and put it on a button or ribbon. Additionally, they will design their own campaign symbol and make an arm band to take home.

Children will also have the opportunity to paint a parade lantern. “Torch light parades in support of presidential candidates were popular from about the mid to late 1800’s, especially in rural communities,” says Oestreich. “Goshen held several of these large parades which featured banners and hand-painted paper lanterns. Often communities would compete with each other over who would have the most elaborate parade.”

The children’s activity day coincides with the opening of the museum’s latest temporary exhibit Campaigning for President. Within the exhibit, children will have the opportunity to see over 100 campaign artifacts spanning nearly two centuries. They will also complete a scavenger hunt and recreate the face of Glover Cleveland from a sketch of four pigs.

Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their best patriotic red, white, and blue outfit. Prizes will be awarded for the most patriotic costumes. They should also bring a wallet sized photo of themselves for use in one of the crafts.

For more information, please contact Oestreich at 574-848-4322 or rebecca@elkhartcountyparks.org.