FEATURE/The William Howard Taft Birthplace in Cincinnati Opened to the Public.

     Feature Editors
     FEATURE...

     CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Jan. 17, 2000--There are
very few political dynasties in American history. The Adamses, Lodges,
and Kennedys come to mind. But not to be left out are the Tafts of
Ohio. For over 160 years they have felt it their duty to serve their
city, state, nation, and the world.
     Recently the new Taft Education Center, located on the grounds of
The William Howard Taft Birthplace in Cincinnati, was opened to the
public. The William Howard Taft Birthplace has been restored since
1988 to educate and inform the public about our 27th president
(1909-1913) and 10th justice of the Supreme Court (1921-1930). The new
Taft Education Center, however, has exhibits and programs to provide
greater understanding of the role other Tafts have played to help mold
public life.
     Through the lobby area and into Gallery I, the visitor will see a
life-size animatronic figure of Charles P. Taft II, son of William
Howard Taft. Charlie will talk to visitors about what he called "quite
a family." As visitors enter Gallery I, Charlie will hail them,
briefly introduce himself as someone who loved to get away from it all
and fish. He will then offer to tell them a story or two about his
family.
     To illustrate the remark "quite a family" ...
     Robert A. Taft, known as "Mr. Republican," was considered one of
the most informed and persuasive members of the U.S. Senate.
     His son, Robert Taft, Jr., served in the Ohio legislature, the
United States House of Representatives and the Senate.
     Robert, Jr.'s son, Bob, was a state representative, Hamilton
County Commissioner, and Ohio Secretary of State before being elected
Governor of Ohio.
     Another son of Robert A. Taft, William Howard Taft III, held
various assignments in the U.S. State Department, including
ambassadorships of Ireland and Mozambique.
     Helen Taft Manning, William Howard's daughter, became Dean of
Bryn Mawr College.
     The president's wife, Nellie, was responsible for the planning of
the Japanese cherry trees around the tidal basin which today draw
millions of visitors to Washington, DC each spring to see the
blossoms. She also helped found the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
after the city's men failed four times.
     Charles P. Taft, William Howard's brother, ran the Cincinnati
Times-Star. He and his wife, Anna Sinton Taft, assembled a great
collection of art and turned it and their house over to the people of
Cincinnati. Anna saved the Cincinnati Zoo along with Mary Emery, and
founded the Cincinnati Summer Opera at the Zoo.
     Another brother of William Howard, Horace, founded and
established the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut.
     Hulbert Taft, William Howard's nephew, founded WKRC radio and
WKRC-TV, the flagship stations of what became Taft Broadcasting.
     Hulbert's son, Hub, and grandson Dudley built Kings Island and
Riverbend.
     William Howard's son Charles P. Taft II served as Hamilton County
Prosecutor, Cincinnati City Council member, Mayor of Cincinnati, and a
founder of the Charter Party.
     Also in Gallery I is an exhibit entitled "The Taft Legacy" which
consists of displays of the various Tafts. Proceeding to Gallery II,
visitors will find an interactive computer station, which will allow
them to explore the Taft Legacy in greater depth at their own pace.
Gallery II is designed to be a flexible space that can accommodate
special exhibits developed by the local staff, traveling exhibits,
meetings, educational activities, and special events. The wallpaper in
this room incorporates images of all five generations of Tafts, and
well-known structures and events directly associated with Taft family
members.
     The Taft Education Center in Cincinnati is open daily except
Christmas and New Years. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tours are
free.

     Contact:   Joyce Foley
                Telephone:  [phone], Fax: [phone]

     Spokesperson:  Kurt Topham, Superintendent, or
                    Ray Henderson, Chief of Interpretation
                    William Howard Taft National Historic Site
                    2038 Auburn Avenue, Cincinnati, OH  45219
                    Telephone:  [phone], Fax: [phone]

     --30--djl/clv*

     CONTACT:  William Howard Taft National Historic Site
               Joyce Foley, 606/525-2451
               Fax: [phone]

     KEYWORD:  OHIO
     INDUSTRY KEYWORD:  EDUCATION ENTERTAINMENT TRAVEL GOVERNMENT