Rutherford B. Hayes

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.

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Search Our Library

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.

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Visit The Estate

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.

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Everything You Need to Know

News & Media

Special exhibit ‘Warrior Dogs & Faithful Companions’ extended through Nov. 15

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

A moving exhibit of hand-carved military canine sculptures honoring veterans’ sacrifices will be displayed throughout October at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums as part of the institution’s America 250 celebration.

“Warrior Dogs & Faithful Companions” features the signature wood forms of Ohio artist James Mellick, whose works pay tribute to the special bonds veterans have with their canine service counterparts. Each of the nine dogs in the installation represents a different military campaign, as well as the injuries that their human counterparts endure.

A Presidential Christmas: Make holiday magic with a season of events at Hayes Presidential

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

The Hayes Presidential Library & Museums has a season of magical events for making memories. Get all the details here. 

Partial funding for A Presidential Christmas is by Wright Leather Works.

Ride in a horse-drawn sleigh or trolley the week after Christmas

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Celebrate the holidays by riding through the wooded estate of President Rutherford B. Hayes in a horse-drawn sleigh or trolley during the week after Christmas.

Sleigh and trolley rides by South Creek Clydesdales will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26; Sunday, Dec. 27; Monday, Dec. 28; Tuesday, Dec. 29; Wednesday, Dec. 30; and Thursday, Dec. 31.

Two clinics offer multiple opportunities to spruce up model trains

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Do you need help troubleshooting some problems with your model train?

Or maybe you’re wondering how best to care for it?

Model train enthusiasts can help, and they’re offering two opportunities this holiday season at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.

Train clinics will be given from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, and Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027, in the museum auditorium.