The play Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground offers a deeply personal and nuanced portrayal of Dwight D. Eisenhower, reflecting on his life, leadership, and legacy during his post-presidency years.
"The back of the Eisenhower House was a popular gathering spot for friend and families." Source: NPS.
Set against the backdrop of his farm in Gettysburg, the one-man show by Richard Hellesen and masterfully played by John Rubinstein, reveals Eisenhower’s inner reflections on war, peace, and the immense responsibility that comes with leadership. Through his own voice, the play brings audiences closer to the man behind the legendary general and president, shedding light on the pivotal moments that shaped his worldview.
"Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground" merchandise on display. Courtesy of Olney Theatre.
One such moment referenced in the play is Eisenhower’s participation in the 1919 Transcontinental Motor Convoy. This grueling military expedition, undertaken to test the viability of moving troops and equipment across the United States, took a young Lieutenant Colonel Eisenhower from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco, navigating treacherous and unpaved roads.
Mechanical difficulties plagued the caravan from the moment they left Washington. These men had an enforced rest while the boiling radiator of their truck cooled down. The caravan was halted west of Marshalltown, Iowa. The crawler tractors were used time and again to extricate trucks from mud, deep sand, or collapsed bridge floors. Source: National Archives.
The convoy encountered numerous setbacks, including mechanical failures and delays, experiences that would later influence Eisenhower’s push for the development of the Interstate Highway System during his presidency.
Gregory Maassen, Director and Producer of After Ike, and his wife Janet Katz standing next to Ike and Mamie. Courtesy of Olney Theatre.
Importantly, the play successfully makes the accurate distinction that Eisenhower did not lead the convoy. Although he was a key participant, he served under the command of others, observing and learning from the trials along the way.
Through this reference, Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground artfully connects the dots between his formative military years and his later impact on the nation’s infrastructure, creating a portrait of a man whose early lessons continued to inform his leadership throughout his life.