Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/Indiana/Indianapolis
- 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Victorian Porcelain Ornament Workshop: Caroline Scott Harrison and China Painting
The porcelain ornament made at this workshop will not be ready to take home when the session ends: pieces are fired professionally afterward and picked up later at the Presidential Site.
An exhibit preview before the painting
The afternoon begins with an advance look at The Indiana State Parks Platter Project, a traveling exhibit created for America’s 250th anniversary. Its public opening is scheduled for Nov. 29, one day after the workshop.
A brief curator-led program then turns to First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison’s china painting and porcelain art in Victorian culture. That historical context gives the practical session a specific subject: participants will try a form of decoration associated with Harrison’s own artistic practice.
Further reading: Victorian Porcelain Ornament Workshop - Benjamin Harrison ↗
A first lesson in china painting
Instructors from Porcelain Art School of Indiana (PASI) lead the hands-on portion. Participants learn the basics of china painting and hand-paint a porcelain Christmas ornament. The event description outlines an introductory activity, but does not specify a prior-experience requirement, materials list or separate materials charge.
The listing describes the exhibit preview, curator program, workshop and refreshments; it does not advertise a guided tour of the Harrison home. The site notes that regular tour hours and format can change on special-event dates, so visitors should not count on a standard house tour as part of this workshop.
Further reading: Victorian Porcelain Ornament Workshop - Benjamin Harrison ↗ · Plan Your Visit to the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site ↗
A sequence from looking to making
The organizer sets out the order—exhibit preview, curator-led context, then hands-on painting—but gives no separate start times for those parts. The listed 1:30–4 p.m. window is for the event as a whole.
Saturday, November 28, 2026 · Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
- Workshop begins; guests get an advance look at The Indiana State Parks Platter Project, before its public opening November 29.
- A curator-led program covers Caroline Scott Harrison’s china painting and porcelain art in Victorian culture.
- Instructors from Porcelain Art School of Indiana lead a hands-on session in china-painting basics; participants hand-paint a porcelain Christmas ornament.
- Light holiday refreshments include coffee, tea, hot chocolate and seasonal charcuterie.
Details for planning
Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026
The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site lists the workshop from 1:30 to 4 p.m. EST. A Destination Indy listing gives a conflicting date and time—Dec. 11, 6 to 8 p.m.—so confirm the schedule with the site before setting out.
Victorian Porcelain Ornament Workshop - Benjamin Harrison ↗ · Events - Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site ↗ · Victorian Porcelain Ornament Workshop - Destination Indy ↗
Ticket details to check
The event is promoted with a ticket-purchase link, but the listed event details do not state the price, a booking deadline, age or experience requirements, or whether any materials charge is separate. Check the ticket terms before purchasing.
Victorian Porcelain Ornament Workshop - Benjamin Harrison ↗ · Victorian Porcelain Ornament Workshop - Destination Indy ↗
The finished piece comes later
The ornaments are professionally fired after the workshop and collected later at the Presidential Site. The event page does not give a pickup date.
Included during the event
Light holiday refreshments are offered throughout the event: coffee, tea, hot chocolate and seasonal charcuterie.
Getting to the Presidential Site
Address and arrival
The event is at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 North Delaware Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202. The site’s accessibility information lists accessible parking in the lot at the northwest corner of the grounds and along North Delaware Street; the closest accessible drop-off is about 50 feet from the entrance.
The official information captured for this event does not give transit routes or general parking directions. Use the map links to calculate directions from your starting point.
Victorian Porcelain Ornament Workshop - Benjamin Harrison ↗ · Accessibility - Benjamin Harrison ↗ · Plan Your Visit to the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site ↗
Access information
The museum describes itself as wheelchair accessible, with ramps at entrances, an elevator serving all four levels, and doorways and hallways that accommodate mobility aids. A wheelchair is available on request. Accessible restrooms are on site, and seating is available throughout the museum on request.
For visitors with visual impairments, the site says staff can provide verbal descriptions and assistance; it also describes 3D-printed objects and touch baskets in its rooms. Written tour scripts are available on request for visitors with hearing impairments. ASL interpreters are available with at least two weeks’ notice for groups of 10 or more. Sensory accommodations may include moving to another room or arranging private tour times. These are general museum provisions, not confirmed workshop-specific arrangements. For access questions, contact Daniel Bennett, Director of Museum Experience.
Before you make a plan
What will participants paint?
A porcelain Christmas ornament. PASI instructors lead a session on china-painting basics.
Can I take the ornament home at the end?
No. It is professionally fired after the workshop and picked up later at the Presidential Site; the pickup date is not listed.
Is a tour of the Harrison home included?
The workshop description does not list a house tour. The site says regular tour hours and format can change on special-event dates.
Victorian Porcelain Ornament Workshop - Benjamin Harrison ↗ · Plan Your Visit to the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site ↗
What refreshments are included?
Light refreshments throughout the event include coffee, tea, hot chocolate and seasonal charcuterie.
Location & Google Maps
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
1230 North Delaware Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.