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.
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
When the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums opened its Carriage House to the public for the first time ever for free tours in 2024 as part of Ohio Open Doors, tours filled up almost immediately.
They were so popular that when Ohio History Connection announced Ohio Open Doors would be returning in 2026, Hayes Presidential staff decided to again make the Carriage House tours its Open Doors event.
Tours are from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10. and last 15 minutes. Reservations are required and can be made at https://events.leapevents.com/tickets/2026-ohio-open-doors-rdhpqzg.
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Enjoy a spine-tingling evening at Spiegel Grove by walking the dark wooded grounds by lantern light and stopping in the historic Hayes Home during Spirit Stories at Spiegel Grove on Friday, Oct. 30.
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
From craft beer to Tree Tours to History Roundtable, August and September are packed with an array of events at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.
Monday, August 3, 2026
Coming Home – The Hayes Home Restoration Campaign Phase Two is raising funds to restore and preserve the home – one of the nation’s premiere presidential sites and the pride of Fremont, Ohio – for the future. Through this important work, The Hayes will enrich the visitor experience essential to telling the story of the president, first lady and their family and will continue to bring that story to life for generations to come.