Spiegel Grove features trees planted by various dignitaries and fellow presidents, including William McKinley and William Howard Taft.
The property contains a 'footpath' laid out by Rutherford B. Hayes himself, which was designed to accommodate his horse-drawn carriage.
The site houses over 100,000 volumes and 500,000 manuscripts, focusing on American history from 1860 to 1900.
President Hayes's original office desk, used during his time in the White House, is displayed in the home.
The estate was named Spiegel Grove by Hayes's uncle, with 'Spiegel' being the German word for mirror, referencing the pools of water that formed in the woods after rain.
The museum holds a significant collection of items related to Lucy Webb Hayes, the first First Lady to be college-educated.
The site includes a commemorative gate dedicated to President Hayes that was originally installed at the White House.
The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is the nation's first presidential library, founded in 1916. It is located on Spiegel Grove, the 25-acre wooded estate where President Hayes lived after his presidency. The site includes the Hayes Home, which contains original family furnishings and artifacts. The museum galleries feature exhibits on 19th-century American life, the Civil War, and the disputed election of 1876. Visitors can view the presidential tomb located on the grounds. The research library houses extensive documents related to the Gilded Age and local history. The site remains an active research center for historians and scholars. It is managed by the Hayes Presidential Center, a private non-profit organization in partnership with the Ohio History Connection.
The front porch of the Hayes Home looking out into the expansive Spiegel Grove canopy.
Wear comfortable walking shoes to explore the extensive wooded trails on the estate grounds.
Check the official website calendar for special seasonal living history events before arrival.
Plan to visit the Hayes Home tour first, as it has limited capacity and is the highlight of the property.
Do not skip the grounds tour, as the arboretum and the presidential tomb are integral to the experience.
The site is generally closed on major federal holidays and may have reduced operations during winter months.
Photography is restricted inside the historic home; follow staff instructions regarding flash usage in the museum galleries.
