Welcome to the official page of James A. Garfield National Historic Site, a unit of the Nat James A. The home is accessible only by guided tour.
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Garfield National Historic Site was authorized as a unit of the National Park System by an Act of Congress on December 28, 1980. It consists of 7.82 acres and contains the home owned by James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States, and his wife, Lucretia Rudolph Garfield. The property now consists of the home, visitor center, and several outbuildings. Currently, masks are required inside all park buildings at James A. Garfield NHS.
Overheard every morning it’s still dark outside and we have to go into the Garfield home to open: “The Garfield home is not haunted the Garfield home is not haunted HOW DO I INADVERTENTLY TURN MY PHONE’S FLASHLIGHT ON NINE TIMES A DAY BUT CAN’T GET IT TO COME ON WHEN I NEED IT?”
MUSEUM MONDAY
"Spider" Side Table
Maker: A. and H. Lejambre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Style: Anglo- Japanesque
Date: c. 1880
Materials: Rosewood (wood), pewter, copper, mother-of-pearl (inlay), brass (feet)
Location: James A. Garfield National Historic Site, Memorial Library
We saved this popular collection item for Halloween week! This truly exquisite table features a delicate inlaid spider, web, and fly on the tabletop. the design reflects the ornament favored by furnituremakers who looked to the arts of Japan. The table attracts a lot of oohs and aahs from our visitors.
Today, October 30th, is National Candy Corn Day!
Did you know that candy corn has been around for over 130 years?
Candy corn was invented by a candy-maker named George Renninger who worked at the Wunderlee Candy Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the late 1880s. However, the Goelitz Candy Company — now the Jelly Belly Candy Company — popularized the candy in 1898 when they picked up the recipe and began marketing the sugary kernals as “Chicken Feed."
Today candy corn makes both Halloween's most popular and most hated candy lists! Do you find this Victorian candy a trick or a treat?
Image: Vintage packaging design for Goelitz Candy Corn featuring a crowing rooster against a candy corn background (Jelly Belly Candy Company)
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/john-adams/
Presidential birthday today: John Adams, second President of the United States, was born in the British colony of Massachusetts 288 years ago-October 30, 1735. Adams was the nation's first Vice President (under President George Washington) and then became the second President of the United States, serving 1797-1801.
To learn more about President Adams, read his official White House biography and go see National Park Service colleagues at National Historical Park near Boston.
John Adams, a remarkable political philosopher, served as the second President of the United States (1797-1801), after serving as the first Vice President under President George Washington.
From presidential candidate James A. Garfield's diary, October 30, 1880:
"At 4 P.M. about 1,500 members of Clubs came from all the towns of Lake Co. and from several towns of Ashtabula, Geauga and Cuyahoga. Shortly after noon it began to rain, and the storm grew in violence into the night. But the clubs, cavalry and foot, paraded in the field south of the road until after dark."
The 1880 "front porch" campaign on James A. Garfield's Mentor, Ohio property was drawing to a close. The presidential election was just three days away, on November 2. But as this diary entry indicates, people and organizations were still coming to Mentor to see Garfield and spend time on his property. That property is now James A. Garfield National Historic Site.
Image: A red oil-cloth cape worn by a young Republican during a late-night, torch-lit campaign march ahead of the 1880 presidential election. (Smithsonian Collections)
More autumn beauty at James A. Garfield NHS, this time framed by the Garfield home’s porte-cochere.
Photo taken last Monday, Oct. 23 at about 12:30 p.m.
From Congressman James A. Garfield's diary, October 29, 1878:
"Spent the forenoon driving with Gen. Leavenworth, late M.C., and in making calls. The speech of last night seems to have made a good impression. Lunch at Hiscock's, and at 1 P.M. took train via Corland to Ithaca, where I was met by Pres. A. D. White of Cornell University and driven to his house. After tea, he drove me to the hotel in the city, where many citizens called. On the way to the hall i Met Brown, my Sand Valley Scout, whom I had not seen for years. Hall very much crowded. Spoke two hours and a half. Extravagant compliments. Very strong approval from Pres. White. Went back to his house, and we talked till an hour past midnight. His recent journey of two years in Europe has been rich in results of scholar[ly] work. His account of the method of religious instruction at Cornell strikes me as a good solution of that question for a college."
Images:
1. James A. Garfield plaque on fireplace lintel, southeast salon, Andrew D. White mansion. reads: "At the south corner of this chimney before the fire upon this hearth sat late into the night of October 29, 1878, James A. Garfield afterward President of the United States." (Cornell University)
2. Andrew Dickson White's brick Gothic mansion on the campus of Cornell University now houses the Cornell University Society for the Humanities. (Wikipedia)
On this day 122 years ago - October 29, 1901 - Leon Czolgosz (pictured) was executed for the murder of President William McKinley. Czolgosz shot McKinley in Buffalo, New York on September 6, 1901; the President died eight days later on September 14. Czolgosz was immediately arrested, tried, and convicted.
Prosecutors were eager to try him for murder as quickly as possible in order to avoid a repeat of the long, circus-like 1881-82 trial of Charles J. Guiteau, assassin of President James A. Garfield.
Czolgosz was executed in the electric chair at Auburn State Prison in Auburn, New York. He was buried on the prison's grounds, but not before his body was treated with sulfuric acid to disfigure and disintegrate it.
Image: Prison card for assassin Leon Czolgosz (Wikimedia)
From presidential candidate James A. Garfield's diary, October 29, 1880:
"This is the only day since Sunday last, on which we have not had large delegations, though many callers came. We made some progress in bringing up back work of mail. The forgery trial made good progress, and Philp appears to be guilty of writing the letter. I may be in error, but I confidently believe this forgery will injure the party in whose interests it has been concocted and circulated. Moreover, it is a confession that the Democrats cannot hope to win on the merits of their doctrines and practices."
Here Garfield refers to the ongoing saga of the forged Morey Letter, which he had supposedly written expressing support for unlimited Chinese immigration to the United States. He also refers to Kenward Philp, a contributor to the Democratic publication "Truth," which had run the Morey Letter. While Philp was not formally on trial as Garfield mistakenly asserts here, Philp had been arrested on October 27, and a court proceeding was ongoing to determine if he had forged the Morey Letter. While many came to believe Philp was the perpetrator, it was never proven conclusively.
At any rate, Garfield clearly believed the forgery to be a desperate attempt by the Democrats to swing the upcoming presidential election their way. While that did not happen, Garfield's popular vote victory was razor-thin. He won the popular vote by somewhere around just 10,000 votes out of millions cast. He and his running mate, Chester A. Arthur, defeated Democrats Winfield Scott Hancock and William English more decisively in the Electoral College.
Image: Anti-Garfield Advertisement titled "Garfield's Death Warrant" with the forged Morley letter. (Library of Congress)
Two things about Theodore Roosevelt (born 165 years ago yesterday on October 27, 1858) in the early 1880s totally rock:
1. These sweet mutton chops. (No Shave November is just around the corner, guys!)
2. His first-ever vote for President in 1880, when he went for…you know what’s coming…James A. Garfield.
Happy 137th birthday to the Statue of Liberty!
Lady Liberty, a gift to the United States from France, was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886.
Today, the National Park Service administers it as Statue of Liberty National Monument.
Image: Statue of Lady Liberty against a blue-sky background.
From presidential candidate James A. Garfield's diary, October 28, 1880:
"Shortly after noon, a special train brought 200 people from Portage County [Ohio]. Judge Luther Day made the address, a very touching and beautiful one. I responded and asked the whole party into the house. There were so many old neighbors and friends that Crete had her first cry in public while receiving them."
A footnote to this diary entry appears on p. 477 of "The Diary of James A. Garfield, Volume IV: 1878-1881," edited by Harry James Brown and Frederick D. Williams (Michigan State University Press, 1981): "Garfield spoke of the memories that filled his mind as he saw in the crowd former classmates, former pupils, and men who started him in politics twenty-one years earlier. He recalled that in 1861 he and Judge Day recruited young men in the old church in Hiram, laying the base for the 42nd Ohio Infantry Regiment. Assuring his callers that the memories of their loyal support were more precious than a jewel, he said that all the doors of his house were open to them, and that the hand of every member of his family was outstretched to them."
Image: Engraving of Lucretia Rudolph Garfield
Still looking for that perfect Halloween costume? We’ve got you covered. And all this help will cost you is half of your trick-or-treat candy.
Please deliver candy to James A. Garfield NHS by 12 p.m. on November 1 to avoid a penalty.
Trust us: you don’t want a bunch of sugar-deprived Park Rangers as enemies.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/theodore-roosevelt/
Presidential birthday today: Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, was born in New York City 165 years ago-October 27, 1858. Elected Vice President in 1900, he became the youngest president in American history in 1901 after President William McKinley died via assassination. Roosevelt served as President from 1901-09.
Fun facts about President Roosevelt:
1. He's the only president to be a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for military valor. It was awarded posthumously for his actions during the Spanish-American War battle of San Juan Hill in 1898.
2. Roosevelt's first vote in a presidential election was in 1880, and he noted in his diary that he voted for James A. Garfield.
3. From 1907-09, President Roosevelt's Secretary of the Interior was James R. Garfield, son of President and Mrs. James A. Garfield.
Read his official White House biography to learn more about President Theodore Roosevelt.
With the assassination of President William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, not quite 43, became the 26th and youngest President in the Nation’s history (1901-1909). He brought new excitement and power to the office, vigorously leading Congress and the American public toward progressive reforms and ...
From Congressman James A. Garfield's diary, October 27, 1875:
"Spent several hours in the Law Library working out some details of practice that I was not sufficiently familiar with. I liken myself to Cortes, who on his first capture of Mexico, made one straight and narrow path of destruction from his ships to the Capitol, but soon found himself beleaguered in the seat of his own conquest. So I have reach[ ed ] a high place in the law, but have left unconquered many outlying territories of law learning and practice, the enemies whereof now beset me. I do not propose to stand siege, but to go out and attack, and come in as Cortes did on his second entry to Mexico. Nearly two days have been spent in conquering one special set of difficulties, an account of which may be found in a special memorandum book of Law points and miscellany.
In the evening Col. Rockwell called, and we spent several hours on Wordsworth, Thackeray and Cribbage. We were specially interested in Wordsworth's account of his journey with Coleridge during which "The Ancient Mariner" and "We are Seven" were produced. The mode of producing the former reminds me of Poe's account of his writing "The Raven.""
During the day, Garfield was busy researching for a case he hoped the Supreme Court would hear. The case involved changing the capitol of Montana from the city of Virginia to Helena. (The Supreme Court ultimately ruled that this was an issue for the citizens of Montana and not for the higher court to decide.)
In the Evening, Garfield enjoyed leisure time with his friend, playing cribbage and discussing the works of William Makepeace Thackeray, Williams Wordsworth, and Edgar Allan Poe.
Image: Volumes of original books, including The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, line the shelves of the Memorial Library in the Garfield's Mentor, Ohio home. (NPS Photo)
“There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October.”
~Nathaniel Hawthorne.
TBT: October 26, 2018
Nearly 60 members of the Ohio National Guard pose with Site Manager (and U.S. Army veteran) Todd Arrington on the patio outside the Visitor Center. The soldiers recently visited the newly christened Camp James A. Garfield in Ravenna, Ohio.
From presidential candidate James A. Garfield's diary, October 26, 1880:
"I find by N.Y. papers of yesterday that Hon. S.B. Chittenden of N.Y. has offered a reward of $5,000 for the arrest and conviction of the forger of the Morey letter. I think this will lead to his detection.
About one o'clock a delegation of 300 people from Warren, and the neighboring townships of Trumbull County, came. Hon. E.B. Taylor spoke for them, and I replied. I took occasion to speak specially of that large number of citizens of this District who had supported me so many years with no selfish end in view, never having asked for office for themselves."
Here Garfield mentions the ongoing saga of the forged Morey letter. He also mentions E.B. Taylor (pictured), the man elected to succeed Garfield as the representative of Ohio's 19th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Anyone who tells you that fall isn’t the best season is lying to you, isn’t your friend, and never really loved you.
Just a friendly reminder that James A. Garfield NHS begins its winter hours one week from today: Wednesday, November 1.
Our winter hours are Friday-Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The buildings are closed to the public Monday-Thursday. The grounds remain open every day, even when the buildings are closed.
Our winter hours remain in effect through April 30, 2024.
On the evening of October 25, 1880 - just a week before that year's presidential election - Frederick Douglass spoke to a meeting of African American citizens at Cooper Union in New York City. He told them:
"James A. Garfield must be our president. I know Garfield, colored man; he is right on our questions, take my word for it... He has shown us how man in the humblest of circumstances can grapple with man, rise, and win. [Garfield] has shown us how it is possible for an American to rise. He has built the road over which he has traveled. He has buffeted the billows of adversity, and tonight swims in safety where [Winfield Scott] Hancock, in despair, is going down."
A week later, Garfield won a narrow popular vote victory over Winfield Scott Hancock. As President, Garfield appointed Frederick Douglass as Register of Deeds for the District of Columbia.
Image: Frederick Douglass (Library of Congress)
From presidential candidate James A. Garfield's diary, October 25, 1880:
"The only doubt I have had in reference to the Morey letter was solved today by the appearance of the lithographic copy in 'Truth.' I had thought it barely possible that Nichol may have found a letter on the subject, and answered it without my seeing it. The penmanship is not his, nor any I have ever before seen."
Garfield finally had the definitive proof he needed to demonstrate that the Morey letter (pictured) was a fake. It was not in his own handwriting, nor that of his friend and sometimes aide Thomas M. Nichol.
On October 25, 1880, a large group of African American Civil War veterans visited Republican presidential candidate James A. Garfield's home and farm in Mentor, Ohio (now the site of James A. Garfield NHS). Among the remarks Garfield made to them that day:
“What is freedom without the intelligence to use it wisely? What is freedom without virtue and intelligence combined to make it not a curse, but a blessing? You were not made free merely to be allowed to vote, but in order to enjoy an equality of opportunity in the race of life, and to stand equal before the law. Permit no man to praise you because you are black, nor wrong you because you are black.”
Image: African American Civil War veterans visiting James A. Garfield's Mentor, Ohio home 143 years ago today.
From Congressman James A. Garfield's diary, October 25, 1876:
"The brave boy struggled through another night, as though determined to win the fight and live, but his great powerful brain is too large a field for him to win against such heavy odds. At dawn he was unable to swallow nourishment or medicine, and for several hours his strength was kept up by enemas and by external applications of alcohol. But this could not last, and at 9.30 A.M. the precious spirit was released. And when the struggle was over, all the sweetness and beauty of his dear face came back and the thought of it will dwell in our hearts forever. It required all my courage to hold up the hearts of the children, even though aided by the better courage and faith of their dear mother. We tried to give them the better and more cheerful view of death, and with Irvin succeeded very well. He stood beside the little body and kissed it and talked to it in the tenderest way."
On this day 147 years ago - October 25, 1876 - the youngest Garfield child, son Edward (called "Neddie,") died of whooping cough two months before his second birthday. Edward (pictured), born December 26, 1874, was the seventh and final child born to James and Lucretia Garfield. The Garfields' first child, daughter Eliza, had died at three years old in 1863. Their five surviving children all eventually married and had their own families. James A. Garfield, of course, never saw any of his grandchildren since he died at just 49 years old in 1881. Lucretia Garfield, however, lived until March 13, 1918 and had 16 grandchildren when she died.
Sadly, many families of the period knew the pain of losing young children to diseases we don't think much about (if at all) today. The Garfield family experienced that pain for the second time 138 years ago with the death of Edward. "Neddie" was interred next to his sister Eliza (called "Trot") in Hiram, Ohio.
Image: Edward "Neddie" Garfield portrait by Caroline Ransom hangs in Lucretia's bedroom at the James A. Garfield National Historic Site. (NPS photo)
"The Republican party offers to our brethren of the South the olive branch of Peace, and invites them to renewed brotherhood, on this supreme condition: That it shall be admitted, forever, that in the War for the Union we were right and they were wrong."
~James A. Garfield, June 5, 1880.
DID YOU KNOW?
James A. Garfield has a cake named after him. In the late 19th century it was common to name desserts after famous people - especially presidents. Garfield Cake was created "after a receipt used from Garfield's reception." Following the president's assassination, the recipe was in high demand and bakeries around the country sold the famous cakes for decades. Today, few people are likely to remember this once popular dessert.
Image: Recipe for Garfield Cake published in many newspapers in 1882.
Today, October 24, is National Food Day!
We are often asked, "What did Garfield eat?" Since the president rarely mentions food in his diary or letters, we had to go other sources to find the answer.
According to the book Mollie Garfield in the White House written by Mollie's daughter Ruth Feis, the family was partial to beef (steaks and roast beef) but also enjoyed pork chops and chicken pies at dinnertime. Turkey and duck were more often saved for special occasions. Sliced tomatoes, cottage cheese, rhubarb or applesauce were always on the table. There might be succotash, or corn fritters served with Ohio maple syrup. Best of all was the sweet corn raised on their Mentor farm. Lucretia kept the larder full with the fruits and vegetables she canned from the orchard and gardens, so there was always plenty to eat year round.
On Sundays in the summertime, ice cream was churned by hand in a pail packed with ice and rock salt round a metal cylinder full of thick cream and sugar.
From receipts found in the Garfield papers at the Library of Congress, we see many purchases for oysters delivered to their Washington home. Common food items like potatoes, eggs, butter, and milk also appear.
Then, of course, there is the famous "squirrel soup" that Garfield craved from his childhood days in the Ohio wilderness. Other than this rodent dish, you could say the president had a fairly simple and traditional American diet that is not much different from what most people eat today.
Thanks to former Ranger Chris for the great photoshop using Norman Rockwell's "Freedom from Want."
From Congressman James A. Garfield's diary, October 24, 1879:
"An almost wintry day, in strange contrast with the July weather we have had since the commencement of October. The potatoes, which have had such a charm for me, are all in the cellar at last, and I am losing my interest in them now that no mystery remains. I made some success at resuming my work by doing some writing and beginning to put my library in order."
Winter will be here again before we know it!
Image: the Garfield home in Mentor, Ohio, that is now the centerpiece of James A. Garfield NHS. (Western Reserve Historical Society)
“I wish that every day was Saturday and every month was October.”
~Charmaine J. Forde
MUSEUM MONDAY
Mantel Clock
Materials: Slate, Bronze
Origin: French
Date: c. 1872
Location: James A. Garfield National Historic Site, Dining Room.
This black slate mantel clock features a bronze frieze with classical figures, paw feet, and incised gilt ivy swags and scrolls. It is an original collection piece. A receipt shows that the Garfields purchased the clock for $18 from M. W. Galt, Bro. & Co. in Washington, D. C.
A month Before the Birth of Abram Garfield
On October 23, 1872, Lucretia Garfield wrote from Washington to her absent husband, who was traveling to Ohio, recounting the course of her day and her observations of her children and herself. “My Precious Darling,” she began. “The first half of the day has slipped away leaving me in god health and spirits … Jim has taken a nice bath without a word of fretting and Hal is doing splendidly [with his bath]. … Darling, we have some preciously good children after all, and I think they deserve a good deal of our pride."
Lucretia continued, “Darling, I don’t think I was ever so near the uncompromising blues as this morning. It seemed to me I could not swallow my breakfast, when at the table, and after I came up the stairs, I thought I should surely break down… Suddenly the thought came to me, ‘Is this the inheritance the future is to receive from me?’ … I went upstairs and resolutely set myself to work and turned my thoughts to bright channels, and ever since hope and bright cheer have stood faithfully by, and I intend to keep them for companions until you … shall come back to me with our loving presence.”
Brave Mrs. Garfield was approaching the arrival of her sixth child. That baby was born just one month after she wrote he husband about the ups and downs of that October day, and the inner strength she drew upon to steady her course.
Image: Lucretia Garfield (Western Reserve Historical Society)
From presidential candidate James A. Garfield's diary, October 23, 1880:
"The morning mail brought us a lithographic facsimile of the forged Morey letter. It relieved my mind...It is not in the hand writing of any person whom I know, but is a manifestly bungling attempt to copy my hand and signature...We shall see whether this last device of a desperate party will avail them before the people. It may lose us the Pacific States and possibly some others, but I do not think it can turn the current that now sweeps so strongly in our favor."
Of the Pacific states, James A. Garfield ended up losing California but winning Oregon. (Washington did not become a state until November 11, 1889.)
Image: Photograph of bearded James A. Garfield wearing a tall, brimmed hat with a wide grosgrain ribbon c. 1880. (Library of Congress)
From Congressman James A. Garfield's diary, October 23, 1874:
"Continued the work of putting the house in order. Commenced a thorough system of cleaning and overhauling the bills and books and documents that have long encumbered my library. Dictated a portion of my long-neglected journal. Several friends called in the afternoon and evening. The weather is as sultry as it was in September."
The Garfield family had returned to their Washington home the night before after spending the summer in Ohio. In his journal entry the following day, October 24, Garfield wrote, "It is amazing how much dirt will accumulate in a house during a few months of solitude."
Image: Engraving of the Garfields’ Italianate house at 1227 I Street, Washington D.C.
Here’s some great Garfield/Arthur 1880 campaign memorabilia: a “Garfield Guards” cap and tin oil-burning torch used in nighttime campaign parades and events.
See these displayed in the museum here at James A. Garfield NHS!
On October 22, 1899, Lucretia Garfield wrote a letter to her son Irvin, who had moved to Boston, Massachusetts. The letter begins with some simple family news and then veers into a topic which had great import for all her children, and for us today presents a “what if” question. Lucretia Garfield began her letter…
Irvin Dear,
You and J. Stanley are the only absentees. Abram and Ray and Edward are here. Think of it, twelve grandchildren and all here!! …
Hal and I have just been having an earnest talk over the matter of house building and have concluded to ask each one of you children how it would please were Harry instead of putting money into another big house, that he put into this house enough to possibly move it back and add two or three rooms …
We feel that we want the old house kept intact and in the family … We want you, and each of the other children to think the matter over and say exactly how you feel about this and what you think. Will you be entirely frank? You know that as a family we cannot afford to be otherwise. With Harry as the oldest son this would always be the central home for you.
We are all very well and little number four has no name yet.
With best wishes and best love
Your mother,
Lucretia R. Garfield
Harry (Hal) Garfield never built another house on the property, and “Lawnfield” did not get an additional two or three rooms. Harry Garfield began teaching at Princeton in 1903 and later became President of Williams College.
This letter shows Lucretia Garfield’s sensitivity to the thoughts and feelings of all her children. She did not want anything to disturb family harmony. Her example seems to have been a strong influence on her children. After Lucretia Garfield’s death in 1918, the five Garfield consulted one another regularly about matters concerning the house, and they appear to have remained a fond and affectionate group of siblings to the ends of their lives.
Image: Lucretia Garfield (seated) with her adult children, c. 1910. Siblings from left to right: Irvin, Mollie, Abram (look at that face!), James R., and Harry. (Photo curtesy of Abram Garfield family collection)
8095 Mentor Avenue
Mentor, OH
44060
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| Tuesday | 10am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 10am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 10am - 5pm |
| Friday | 10am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 5pm |
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Thank you to the Great Geauga County Fair Band for playing our final concert of the summer on Saturday afternoon, August 19! It was a picture-perfect day for some live music on the lawn behind President & Mrs. Garfield’s home. Thanks to the Band & to all who came out to listen and enjoy! And a very heartfelt thank you to our nonprofit partners at The James A. Garfield Alliance (part of the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park) and The Garfield Trail of Ohio for supporting this year’s summer concert series. #jamesagarfieldnhs
You think a historic presidential home is all there is to see at James A. Garfield NHS? Um, no. We’ve got wildlife, too. Eat your hearts out, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, et al. #jamesagarfieldnhs #suburbanwildlife #wildlife #mentorohio #remarkablelakecountyoh
Dear Mother Nature: It’s October 18th. We’d like to speak to the manager, please. #jamesagarfieldnhs #autumn #weather Image description: This is a 15-second video of sleet falling at James A. Garfield National Historic Site. The Garfield home is visible in the background as sleet falls.
Enjoy this lovely march performed by the University Heights Symphonic Band during their Thursday, June 9 concert at James A. Garfield NHS!
Think there’s no wildlife at suburban parks like James A. Garfield NHS? This visitor from Friday afternoon (June 3) begs to differ. #jamesagarfield #jamesagarfieldnhs #wildlife #nature
Friday, April 8 was a hail of a day at James A. Garfield NHS. #jamesagarfield #jamesagarfieldnhs #puns #dadjokes
First Lady Lucretia Garfield explains the history of Presidents' Day and remembers her late husband President James A. Garfield.
#windmill #windmills #windmillfarm #soundsoffall #jamesagarfieldnhs #lucretiarudolphgarfield #lucretiagarfield #victorianfarm
Ranger Alan is back with the second and final part of our series showing you the third floor of the Garfield home. We posted the first part on Saturday, October 24 in case you missed it. Enjoy this look at a part of the Garfield home the public doesn’t usually get to see!
Ranger Alan is back with another edition of “Hidden History”! This time, see part of the Garfield home’s third floor—which isn’t usually available to the public! Check for Part Two in a few days!
Ready for another edition of “Hidden History” with Ranger Alan? This week, join him in the Garfield home’s laundry room for a look at an original feature from 1885!
Here’s this week’s “Hidden History” with Ranger Alan! We’re in the Carriage House, now our visitor center, where Alan shows us some pretty unique features. Look for these the next time you visit us and walk through our museum!
Who's ready for another episode of "Hidden History"? This week, Ranger Alan shares some of the history of Mrs. Lucretia Garfield's Carriage House, which now serves another purpose here at James A. Garfield NHS. Check it out and enjoy!
On this week’s edition of “Hidden History,” Ranger Alan tells you about the Tenant House. This building is now James A. Garfield NHS’s administrative headquarters, but it’s no boring office building!
Who’s ready for more “Hidden History” with Ranger Alan? This time, join him in James A. Garfield’s study for a look at the President’s desk!
Hidden History: Park Ranger Alan speaks inside the Garfield home.
Typically James A. Garfield National Historic Site provides special amenity tours for visitors to experiece special spaces in and around the park. Our Behind the Scenes Tour, on the first Saturday of the month, takes you in the nonpublic spaces of the Garfield home, as well as the extra buildings on our property, including our Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is an adaptively resued carrige house that Mrs.Garfield had added to the propery in 1893. Learn more about the carriage house and how it has changed over the years in this special work from home edition of Behind the Scenes!
NATIONAL PARK WEEK BARK RANGER DAY Today is BARK Ranger Day! At James A. Garfield National Historic Site, we offer a short paved walking path, plenty of open space, and pet waste bags. Taking your pet for a walk at a National Park is a great way to enjoy nature. As part of our initiative to encourage good health and good stewardship of public lands, we offer the BARK Ranger Program. BARK stands for: *Bag your pet’s waste *Always leash your pet *Respect wildlife *Know where you can go Being a good BARK Ranger at James A. Garfield also involves a scavenger hunt, and of course, a short history lesson. Any dog (or cat, or iguana, or any other animal) is welcome to participate in the program as long as they abide by the tenets of BARK Ranger. The National Park Service recommends keeping well-behaved pets on a six-foot leash. For more information, check out our website: https://www.nps.gov/jaga/learn/kidsyouth/b-a-r-k-ranger-program-at-james-a-garfield-nhs.htm and if you’ve already completed BARK Ranger, let us know! #BARKRanger #ParkWeek
NATIONAL PARK WEEK EARTH DAY “The earth has music for those who listen” – William Shakespeare There is power in silence. The world is learning that right now as we dial back our lives by staying home. There are wonderful things that can be heard when one is quiet; birds chirping and calling in the trees, rain falling on the leaves, or wind blowing through the trees and over the grass. Sounds we are unaccustomed to can also be heard coming from the Earth itself. Without the surface-pounding noises coming from cars, trains and other modern disturbances, vibrations can be heard coming from the center of our planet up to the surface. Not only does silence enable a heightened awareness of natural sounds, it’s also good for our heath and that of the planet. From the National Park Service’s Why Sounds Matter website, here are some of the ways humans and nature benefit from silence: "Wildlife animals depend on hearing natural sounds in the environment for a range of activities. Recent studies have found that more than 60% of protected areas are exposed to noise that masks more than half of the natural sounds that would otherwise be heard. This loss of natural sounds interferes with wildlife communication and behavior.Wilderness sounds are part of an interconnecting system of resources that wildlife depends on for survival. Visitors benefit from hearing natural sounds, which bring health benefits such as lowered stress, improved mood, cognition, and social well-being." What could James A. Garfield hear from his farm in 1880? Perhaps the same chirping birds, rustling trees, and chatty squirrels we hear today. Beyond that, he experienced the babble of his farm animals, the horses clattering as they traveled with a lone rider or pulled a carriage of folks from Cleveland or Painesville, and the predictable whistle from the Lake Erie and Michigan Southern railroad, which ran along the back of his farm bringing well-wishers during the 1880 Presidential campaign. Garfield a
NATIONAL PARK WEEK FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY We get by with a little help from our friends. The national parks and the programs of the National Park Service were built on partnerships. Here at the James A. Garfield National Historic Site, we are fortunate to have the JAMES A. GARFIELD ALLIANCE. The James A. Garfield Alliance mission is to help James A. Garfield National Historic Site through raising philanthropic support and providing advocacy, programming, and services that the site cannot undertake on its own. The Alliance relies on charitable donations from individual people, companies, and foundations to meet their mission so that they can continue to bring programming like “An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe,” Easter Egg Roll, and the Civil War Music Festival. If you would like to learn more about the Alliance or would like to make a charitable gift, please feel free to reach out to them at their website: https://www.conservancyforcvnp.org/garfield/; on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesAGarfieldAlliance/; or contact James A. Garfield National Historic Site (440-255-8722) and we will put you in touch with each other. Please note: The Alliance’s fiscal agent is the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a well-established friends group to the National Parks. The James A. Garfield Alliance and the James A. Garfield NHS are looking forward to the community being able to be together again! #FriendshipFriday, #NPSFriends
NATIONAL PARK WEEK NATIONAL PARK PRESCRIPTION (ParkRx) DAY As we celebrate Park Rx Day here at James A. Garfield National Historic Site, we realize that for some parks are not just resources for physical health, but also mental health. Exploring parks and public spaces help individuals fight against mental health issues like depression, anxiety and stress. Other ways that people help to manage their mental health include crafts and creating art. But what if these two activities came together? In the slideshow photos below are examples of visitor inspired art we received over the years. Susan Williams Baranowski from Sequin, Washington created and donated two replica quilts. The first quilt is from Grandma Garfield's bedroom, and the second quilt is from Grandpa Rudolph's bedroom. Local artist Danilo Zammattio engraved a portrait of James and Lucretia Garfield on granite. Another local artist, Mary Collingwood, created a pen and ink drawing of the Garfield house. Have you made any art inspired by your National Parks? Inspired to make something new while at home? Want to have your park inspired artwork displayed as part of a digital gallery at the site? Tag us with your creations, @GarfieldNPS, and to use #JAGArtinthePark to be featured! #JAGAArtinthePark #ParkRx #HealthyParksHealthyPeople #NationalParkWeek #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque
NATIONAL PARK WEEK THROW BACK THURSDAY Happy National Park Week! Today is Throwback Thursday. We here at James A. Garfield NHS tend to ‘throwback’ quite a bit, telling the history of Garfield’s life, family, and the other interesting people and events of his time. Today we thought we would share a throwback of ourselves, since this year we will celebrate our 40th birthday as a National Historic Site! On December 28, 1980, Congress passed legislation officially designating James A. Garfield’s home in Mentor, Ohio a National Historic Site! Since then the National Park Service went through a full restoration of the Garfield home, reopening the park to the public in 1998. The NPS staff has continued to maintain and educate the public about Garfield, his life and family, and the significance of the Garfield Home. The slideshow photos show the house as it looked in 1880 (Garfield's front porch campaign), 1980 (before the restoration), 1996-1998 (during the restoration), and how it looks today! Learn more about how other parks are taking a flash back to the past, and all the efforts that parks make to keep the nation’s historic heritage preserved in park and communities at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/throwback-thursday.htm #ThrowbackThursday #NationalParkWeek #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque
NATIONAL PARK WEEK MILITARY MONDAY Today we salute the military, veterans, and their families. The family of James A. Garfield has strong military ties that date back to the American Revolutionary War and the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. From John C. Ridpath: The Life and Work of James A. Garfield, 1881: An affidavit sworn before a magistrate: LEXINGTON, April 23, 1775. "We, John Hoar, John Whithead, Abraham Garfield, Benjamin Munroe, Isaac Parker, William Hosmer, John Adams, Gregory Stone, all of Lincoln, in the County of Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay, all of lawful age, do testify and say, that on Wednesday last, we were assembled at Concord, in the morning of said day, in consequence of information received that a brigade of regular troops were on their march to the said town of Concord, who had killed six men at the town of Lexington. About an hour afterwards we saw them approaching, to the number, as we apprehended, of about 1,200, on which we retreated to a hill about eighty rods back, and the said troops then took possession of the hill where we were first posted. Presently after this we saw the troops moving toward the North Bridge, about one mile from the said Concord meeting-house; we then immediately went before them and passed the bridge, just before a party of them, to the number of about two hundred, arrived; they there left about one-half of their two hundred at the bridge, and proceeded with the rest toward Col. Barrett's, about two miles from the said bridge; and the troops that were stationed there, observing our approach, marched back over the bridge and then took up some of the planks; we then hastened our march toward the bridge, and when we had got near the bridge they fired on our men, first three guns, one after the other, and then a considerable number more; and then, and not before (having orders from our commanding officers not to fire till we were fired upon), we fired upon the regulars and they retreated. On
NATIONAL PARK WEEK JUNIOR RANGER DAY Calling all Junior Rangers! Today is National Junior Ranger Day! The Junior Ranger Program is an activity-based educational program in most national and state parks. By completing workbooks and/or activities at a particular park you can earn a Junior Ranger badge. The Junior Ranger Program motto is “Explore, Learn and Protect” so the activities are geared toward reinforcing these values in the parks system. Here at James A. Garfield NHS, you can earn our site badge (with a nifty picture of President Garfield), and/or the National Historic Preservation Act, Great Lakes, and Underground Railroad Network to Freedom badges! While the house and visitor center are closed, you can still participate in our Junior Ranger program by downloading a copy of our workbook. Visit our website at www.nps.gov/jaga/learn/kidsyouth/beajuniorranger Also visit the National Park Service website at www.nps.gov/kids/junior-ranger-online to find other programs around the country! Do you have a collection of Junior Ranger badges? Let’s see what you got! Post your pictures in the comment area or share the images on social media using the #FindYourPark #JuniorRanger
NATIONAL PARK WEEK TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY As a teenager, James A. Garfield sought a life on the water. Traveling to Cleveland from his family’s home outside the blossoming city, young James was unable to find employment on a ship in port. Fortunately, development of canals through the interior of the country provided ample opportunity for both national growth and employment and, quite fortuitously, the northern terminus of the Ohio and Erie Canal was in town. James’ father Abram had worked on and invested in canals during his short life and at 16 years old James took the reins, literally. As a “hoggee”, he was responsible for driving the mules (walking them down the towpath alongside the canals). One night, the future president fell into the murky waters and his cries for help went unheard. Thrashing around, he took hold of a rope and pulled himself to safety on the boat. Gasping for breath, James discovered that the rope which prevented his drowning was not tied off to anything; it had miraculously wedged between floor planks on the boat! This moment, which he saw as intervention from above, stayed with James the rest of his life. Becoming quite ill after falling into the canal more than a dozen times and contracting malaria, James went home to recover. During his convalescence, the decision was made that he could accomplish more through his studies and James returned to school, ending his time on the canal. At James A. Garfield National Historic Site, learn more about the influence of transportation on the Garfield family’s lives, and, when the time is right, visit our friends at Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Canal Exploration Center for the story of the Ohio and Erie Canal.
NATIONAL PARK WEEK VIP (VOLUNTEERS-IN-PARKS) DAY Today we salute our Volunteers-In-Parks and celebrate the 50th anniversary of our VIP program! The National Park Service offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups as part of the Volunteers-In-Parks program. Work behind the scenes or on the front line in positions ranging from a one-time service project or volunteer event to a longer term position, serving alongside park employees or with one of our many partner organizations. Opportunities are available at park locations throughout the United States, including the territories in the Pacific and the Caribbean. Some positions are specialized and require particular talents, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as a background check. Other positions only require a desire and willingness to volunteer. Individuals under the age of 18 must have written consent of the parent or legal guardian before they may volunteer. Find a list of available opportunities at Volunteer.gov, search for a volunteer event, or contact a national park near you. #NPSVolunteer #NVW #NationalParkWeek
Mentor American Legion Post 352
Mentor Avenue
Mentor US Army Recruiting Center
Mentor Avenue
City of Mentor, Ohio - Municipal Government
Civic Center Boulevard
Prosperity Human Resource Systems, Inc.
Reynolds Road
Lake County Board of Developmental Disabiliti
Deepwood Boulevard
Mentor Fire Explorer Post 2911
Civic Center Boulevard
Lake County General Health District
Heisley Road
Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce
Spinach Drive
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