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Gateway to the Heartland: Eisenhower and the Seaway
Celebrating America 250! Lunch & Learn Series
Guest speaker Amy Stark examines President Eisenhower’s leadership in creating a vital trade route connecting the Atlantic to America’s heartland.
ABILENE, Kan. — The next Eisenhower Presidential Library Lunch & Learn program (originally scheduled for October) has been moved to Nov. 19, 2026, at 12 p.m. CST. Guests attending in person are encouraged to arrive by 11:45 a.m. The Library will provide a light box-lunch on a first-come, first-served basis. This hybrid event will be held in person in the Library's indoor courtyard and streamed live via the Library's YouTube channel.
Guest speaker Amy Stark will virtually present "Gateway to the Heartland: Eisenhower and the Seaway." She will discuss President Eisenhower's role in establishing the St. Lawrence Seaway as a key trade route between the Atlantic and North America's industrial core. Stark will cover the project's history—from diplomatic challenges to the 1954 Wiley–Dondero Act and the 1959 opening. She will explain how Eisenhower viewed the Seaway as vital for peace, trade, and infrastructure. Finally, she will connect Eisenhower’s 1950s decisions to the Seaway's current economic impact.
Stark is the Director of Community Relations and the Seaway Visitor Center at the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. Under Stark’s leadership, the Seaway Visitor Center earned the Best Destination Marketing Award from the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce during its reopening year, reflecting its role as an educational and tourism hub.
The 2026 programming season celebrates America's 250th anniversary and examines President Eisenhower's top accomplishments in the continual pursuit of a more perfect Union. These programs complement the current 'Ike's Work' exhibit, which highlights Eisenhower’s engagement with citizens and his administration's accomplishments. These programs are made possible courtesy of The Eisenhower Foundation.
About the Eisenhower Presidential Library
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is one of 16 Presidential Libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Presidential Libraries play a vital role in preserving and providing access to historical materials, supporting research, and fostering a deeper understanding of the presidency and the American experience. Through interactive exhibits and public programs, they aim to educate and inspire. The Eisenhower Presidential Library's public programs and exhibits receive generous funding and support from The Eisenhower Foundation.