Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center Local History Files

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center maintains a Local History Research File in the Library Reading Room. The geographic focus of the collection is Sandusky County, Ohio, and adjacent towns, cities, and counties, as well as Lake Erie and the Erie Islands. The collection contains more than 1,000 files and begins with the area’s earliest history and covers subjects to the present day. Topics include histories of towns, villages, townships, businesses, organizations (military, community, cultural, hereditary), agriculture, churches, schools, bridges, buildings, natural landmarks, waterways, the War of 1812 and the Civil War, celebrations, natural disasters, recreation, and famous visitors.

The number and type of materials contained in each file vary. However, they consist largely of photocopies of records, documents, newspaper and journal articles, maps, photographs, brochures, advertisements, speeches, and programs. Files are available for research Tuesday through Saturday from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M in the Library Reading Room. Please contact Nan Card, Curator of Manuscripts, ncard@rbhayes.org, for more information about obtaining photocopies of any of the files.

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center Biographical Files

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center maintains more than 4,000 Biographical Research Files. Arranged alphabetically by subject and surname, the files contain copies of materials pertaining to President Rutherford B. and Lucy Webb Hayes, the Hayes family, the Hayes administration, and Gilded Age issues, events, and individuals. Also included are materials about the Hayes Center and its collections. Collections include topics such as the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Erie and the Erie Islands; Ohio; and Northwest Ohio families and local history.

The number and type of materials contained in each file vary. They consist largely of copies of Hayes Center research requests and staff correspondence with researchers for the past several decades; newspaper and journal articles; typed transcripts; genealogies; family group sheets; bible records; and brochures.

Files containing genealogical material on Northwest Ohio families are indexed in the Hayes Obituary Index by family surname or by the individual's name (ex. Keeler Family or Marvin Keeler). Files are available for research Tuesday through Saturday from 9 A. M. to 5 P. M. Please contact Nan Card, Curator of Manuscripts, ncard@rbhayes.org, for information about obtaining photocopies of any of the files.