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Hayes was the 19th U.S. President serving from 1877-1881. He was also a Ohio governor, a U.S. Congressman and a General in the Civil War and loving husband to Lucy and father to eight children.
Honoring the memory of Rutherford B. Hayes, his family established the first presidential library open to the public in 1916. For 100 years the collections have grown beyond the core collection to include 90,000 books, manuscripts and images which reflect Hayes' special interests, including genealogy, local history, and the Gilded Age period in which he lived.
Spiegel Grove houses the Hayes Museum and 31 room mansion, along with 25 acres of park and the burial site of President and Mrs. Hayes.
Friday, May 9, 2025
Lee Koenig’s parents lived very different lives than President Rutherford and First Lady Lucy Hayes, but they had some similarities and shared values.
Lee’s father, German immigrant William Koenig lost his father at a young age and married a woman, Clara, he loved dearly, who was an orphan. The couple inherited Clara’s home in Fremont and built a happy life and successful business, Crown Battery, which is still a major local company today.
Rutherford Hayes’ father died right before Rutherford was born. Rutherford married the love of his life, Lucy, whose father died when she was a toddler. They inherited the Hayes Home and retired to Fremont and their estate at Spiegel Grove, the place they loved best.
“Even though on the surface they have absolutely nothing in common, one was a president, and one was somebody who had a modest life in Fermont, the impact of family probably made them the success they were in their fields,” said Lee’s daughter, Amy Koenig said.
That’s likely one of the many reasons that Lee, who passed away last year, was the major donor to the decorative masonry wall at the new, two-way entrance at the Spiegel Grove, the grounds of the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. Amy spoke during the ribbon cutting and dedication for the $226,000 finished project on Friday, May 9.
The Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County joined with Hayes Presidential to have the ribbon cutting.
Friday, May 2, 2025
In celebration of Juneteenth, a film featuring the story of the 5th U.S. Colored Troops in the Civil War will be shown Tuesday, June 17, at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.
Friday, May 2, 2025
Relax, breathe and stretch with Yoga in the Grove offered in evenings and mornings on various dates throughout the summer at Spiegel Grove.
Friday, May 2, 2025
Ten breweries and three wineries will offer samples and a local mixologist will make 1920s cocktails during the seventh-annual Craft Beers, Cocktails & Corks at Spiegel Grove on Saturday, Aug 23.
The event is from 4 to 8 p.m. on the grounds of the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. The VIP ticketed experience returns for its second year and will begin at 3 p.m.
