William Henry Harrison and the Power of Presidential Storytelling

About the event:

Beloved civic educator Sharon McMahon examines the short but symbolically powerful presidency of William Henry Harrison. Through engaging stories and myth-busting insights, she explores how Harrison’s campaign transformed political messaging and how presidential narratives—true or not—shape public memory. An ideal program for audiences who enjoy accessible, energetic history.

Sharon McMahon is a Number One New York Times–bestselling author, award-winning educator, and founder known for turning confusion into clarity and helping audiences take meaningful action. A longtime government and law educator dubbed “America’s Government Teacher,” she built a national following by explaining complex civic issues with accuracy, humor, and hope; her debut book The Small and the Mighty became a bestseller and her publication The Preamble reaches millions. Through her teaching and philanthropic work, she has raised millions for causes ranging from disaster relief to classroom grants, inspiring people to create change through small, consistent actions.

Dr. Colleen Shogan served as the 11th Archivist of the United States, becoming the first woman confirmed by the Senate to lead the National Archives and Records Administration. A political scientist, author, and civic leader, she has held senior roles at the White House Historical Association, the Library of Congress, and the U.S. Senate, and is widely recognized for her commitment to expanding public access to history and strengthening civic education. She currently works with More Perfect, Stand Together, and Georgetown University and is the recipient of the American Political Science Association’s Hubert Humphrey Award for outstanding public service.

This program is made possible in part through partnership with The Leach Foundation and InPursuit an Initiative of More Perfect.