Chester Alan Arthur and Theodore Roosevelt in New York

Two US Presidents born in October

With Francis Morrone

America’s 21st and 26th presidents were New Yorkers. Chester Alan Arthur served a single term, from 1881 to 1885. As vice president he was thrust into the top job following the assassination of President James A. Garfield. Owing in part to his ethically checkered pre-presidential career, and to one unfortunate piece of legislation–the Chinese Exclusion Act–that came out of his administration, he has been rated by historians among our worst presidents. Your guide wishes to make the case that he is one of our most interesting and underrated presidents. T.R. also became president because of assassination (that of William McKinley), and served from 1901 to 1909. He ran again and lost in a 3-way race in 1912, just as he had lost a 3-way race for the New York mayoralty in 1885. Your guide wishes to make the case that the case can be made that he was our greatest president. Also featured on the tour will be Roscoe Conkling, the powerful senator from New York, who represents one of the several lines that connect Arthur to Roosevelt.

Sunday, October 7
2:00 PM — 4:00 PM

Tickets:
Member: $20
Non-member: $30