Who Is Caroline Scott Harrison? And Why Is Oct. 2 Her Day?

BY SARKIS NIGOLIAN
Miami University journalism student

Oxford is honoring former First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison by declaring October 2 as "Caroline Scott Harrison Day."

The idea to celebrate the life of Scott was the brainchild of Oxford resident and chairwoman of the Caroline Scott Harrison Committee, Kathleen S. Fox.

Fox was touring presidential homes in Virginia with her family when she discovered that Ohio has produced more presidents (having been born in or taken up residency) than any state besides Virginia.

After doing some research into the first families, Fox realized that Harrison was born, raised and married in her own hometown of Oxford.

Harrison was born in Oxford on October 1, 1842. She attended school and was married to the 23rd president of the United States, Benjamin Harrison in Oxford.

In her lifetime, Harrison was an advocate for women’s education, became the first president of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution in 1890, which she formed.

“Once I discovered Caroline Scott Harrison had basically been forgotten, I wanted to do something,” said Fox, 73.

Figuring out what that was came easy for Fox.

“I wanted a Caroline Scott Harrison statue,” she said.

In order to accomplish this, Fox put in a request for a grant from the state of Ohio to fund the project. But, there needed to be a buzz created about the idea in order to inform the people of Oxford and get local support.

Out of this came the first Caroline Scott Harrison Day three years ago. Although the date has changed from year to year, the day is becoming a mainstay of early October.

But the day didn't quite created the buzz to get the cash for the statute.

Instead of sitting back and waiting, Fox decided to take matters into her own hands.

“The money didn’t come, so I found the people who made the statue and got everything in order on my own,” said Fox.

With the help of Margery Bowers, whose biography on Harrison helped draw interest within the community for the project, and Robert Wicks, Director of Miami University’s Art Museum, the project received a grant from the state of Ohio in the amount of $75,000.

The money went toward erecting the statue behind the Oxford Community Arts Center.

After her effort, Fox wants Oxford residents and history enthusiasts across Ohio to get one simple take away from this day of remembrance.

“There has got to be some way for people know she was born, raised and married right here in Oxford,” Fox said. “When I toured the presidential homes in Virginia and saw how the local people supported them, I just wanted that for (Harrison).”

Mayor Kate Rousmaniere said she hopes honoring a figure who stood for equality and education will resonate with city residents and Miami University students alike.

“Oxford and Miami University have nurtured many significant leaders over our history, and I am especially pleased that the Oxford community is recognizing a notable women leader who played such a significant role in local and national culture and politics,” said Rousmaniere.

An Artists' Rendering of Caroline Scott Harris, who was born in Oxford in 1832 (Photo Courtesy: Jarrett Hawkins of Cincinnati, OH).