Museum program to examine 1912 presidential election Sept. 13

The Milford Museum American History Series will present Lew Miller speaking on “The Presidential Election of 1912: Theodore Roosevelt and the Rise of the Bull Moose Party,” at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13, at Milford Public Library, 11 SE Front St., Milford.

The 1912 election was a contest among four nominees, but the program will focus on two of them: Theodore Roosevelt, a former president and the nominee of the Progressive Party, also called the Bull Moose Party; and Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat who was then serving as governor of New Jersey. It has been called the first ‘modern’ presidential election, since several states held primary elections to choose their candidates. Several of the campaign issues may sound familiar: tariffs, immigration, inflation and inequality. The election outcome determined the direction of the two main parties over the 20th century: The Republican Party became more conservative, and the Democratic Party became more liberal.

Lew Miller worked in public education for 47 years. He taught U.S. and world history, then served as a district administrator, finishing as Caesar Rodney School District director of instruction. He has been a speaker at both state and national education conferences. He also co-founded a consulting business, Educationally Speaking LLC. Currently, he helps conduct legal research for a law firm.

Sponsored by the Milford Museum, these monthly programs focus on a variety of topics concerning local, state and national history. For more information, contact the museum at 302-424-1080 or email tom@milfordDEmuseum.org. The programs are offered through a generous grant from the Delaware Heritage Commission.