For those who think the current presidential election is a strange one, join HSP as we take a look back at the 1856 contest, perhaps the most consequential election in our nation’s history. There were two new parties: the Republicans and the Know-Nothings. The Republicans nominated a celebrity involved in land development with no elective experience, while the Know-Nothings had as their major party plank stopping immigration and even sending some immigrants back to their home country. The third party, the Democrats, nominated an old face with vast governmental experience.

“What came out of that," says Robert Strauss, author of Worst. President. Ever., "is the most devastating presidential term in American history and, ultimately, the Civil War."

Robert Strauss is the author of Worst. President. Ever., a biography of James Buchanan. He is a former reporter for Sports Illustrated, a feature writer for the Philadelphia Daily News and a news and sports producer for KYW-TV. Since 1999, he has taught non-fiction writing at Penn and has been a freelance writer, with his major client being The New York Times, where he has had more than 1,000 bylines. He lives in Haddonfield, NJ.

HSP is proud to have The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks, The Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL), and The Library Company of Philadelphia as promotional partners for the program. 

Members of HSP, Landmarks, and staffers at PACSCL member institutions will receive FREE admission. Registration is required.