===Original Incarnation (1971-1993) <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8NeVAQUuaU </ref>===
In the The first Incarnation of the Hall of Presidents began with guests entering the theater, and hearing various Americans speaking lines from the Declaration of Independence. The attraction’s narrator would then begin to tell guests the story of America, as the curtains opened and the film started.
The Hall of President’s film began with the Constitutional Convention in 1787. George Washington (the president of the Convention) and Benjamin Franklin were heard trying to persuade their fellow delegates to sign the Constitution. Although the founders admit that the Constitution is not perfect, all but three eventually sign the document, and the states agree to ratify it.
Leaving the Constitutional Convention, the story moved forward to the Whiskey Rebellion in 1789. Here, newly elected President George Washington faced one of his first challenges as President, as Pennsylvanian farmers had begun to riot over federal taxes. Washington and Pennsylvania Governor Thomas Mifflin could then be heard arguing over whether or not Washington had the power to use armed forces to stop the rebels. Washington then said that the Supreme Court affirms his authority, and he was then shown on horseback, leading federal troops towards to Pennsylvania. Fortunately, the narrator informed guests that the riots ended without bloodshed, and Washington was able to show Americans that the President would use force in order "ensure domestic tranquility".
Following the Whiskey Rebellion, the scene once again shifted. Guests now found themselves in South Carolina some 40 years later. The Nullification Crisis was featured, and an angry crowd was being addressed by a speaker. The speaker informed the mob that, "The Federal Government's Tariff Acts are hereby declared null, void, and no law in the State of South Carolina." The speaker then went on to warn that any use of force by the government would lead to the secession of South Carolina. Following his speech, an image of President Andrew Jackson was shown on the screen, and he declared that he was determined to keep the union together. The narrator then informed guests that with the support of Congress, Jackson was able to end the Nullification Crisis without any bloodshed. It was apparent however that the “union of the states” was in danger.
Once again moving forward in history, guests next found themselves listening in on the 1858 debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. During the debate, Lincoln declared that he knew slavery was wrong, and that "this government cannot endure permanently half-slave and half-free. A house divided against itself cannot stand". Although he was being heckled by the crowd, Lincoln continued on, saying that if the people did not believe in the words of the Deceleration of Independence, then they should go and destroy it. Reluctantly, the crowd admitted that he was right, and although the narrator told guests that Lincoln lost (that) election, his words were not forgotten.
Following Lincoln’s speech, the scene once again cut. Guests then saw (the now) President Abraham Lincoln in the White House. He was alone, contemplating his responsibility to protect the union. Lincoln claimed that he knew there was a God, and that that God hated slavery. He then resolved that with God’s help, he would end slavery and win the war. At this point, images of the American Civil War flashed on the screen, and the narrator said:
{{Quotation|"After four weary and wounding years, the conflict ended. The Union was saved. The Constitution had survived the fiery ordeal. America was one nation, finally and forevermore."}}
{{Quotation| This government must be preserved in spite of the acts of any man or set of men. Nowhere in the world has presented a government of so much liberty and equality. To the humblest and poorest among us are held the highest privileges and positions. What constitutes the bulwark of our liberty and independence? It is not the frowning battlements, or bristling seacoast, our army and navy. These are not our reliance against tyranny. Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in us. Our defense is in the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism at your own doors. At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic giant to step the ocean and crush us at a blow? Never. All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa combined could not, by force, take a drink from the Ohio or make a track on the Blue Ridge. At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up among us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we ourselves, must be its author and its finisher. As a nation of free men, we must live through all time, or die by suicide. Surely God would not have created such a being as man, with an ability to grasp the infinite to exist only for a day. No. No. Man was made for immortality.}}
Following Lincoln’s speech, the Battle Hymn of the Republic played, as the curtain closed and guests left the theater.
From 1971 until 1993, the only major change to the Hall of Presidents were the additions of newly elected Presidents: Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush.