Arboretum and presidential estate in full bloom with flowers, events, fun
The wildflowers are in bloom, covering parts of the lawn in blue, yellow and white, and the hundreds of trees are beginning to leaf out, offering shade those walking their dogs along the paved trails.
It’s springtime at Spiegel Grove, the 25-acre wooded estate of 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes and First Lady Lucy Hayes and home to the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.
The site is an accredited arboretum teeming with wildlife, from the sassy squirrels watching the walkers to see if they have come prepared with peanuts to feed them to the deer that can be seen in the mornings and evenings to hawks, eagles and smaller birds, such as nuthatches and woodpeckers, that move through the trees.
Every season here has its charm and beauty, but there is something special about how the Grove comes alive again as the wildflowers bloom and trees fill with leaves. It means spring and summer programs are coming and that more walkers – although many faithfully walk here no matter the weather – will be taking the self-guided walking tour or just enjoying the peaceful grounds.
The Grove is one of the best places to see a variety of wildflowers, which begin blooming in late winter with the dainty yellow winter aconite and continue into June with spring beauty and violets. The grounds are open – for free – from dawn to dusk, and visitors can learn about the many wildflowers at the Grove in this free wildflower booklet. 
Guided tree tours of the arboretum will be offered throughout the spring and summer. Participants will learn about the various trees at the Grove and the stories behind them, as well as of some history about the property.
Tickets for non-members are $10 for adults and $7 for kids ages 6-18. Hayes Presidential members are admitted for free. Tickets are available at https://www.rbhayes.org/news/2025/03/31/general/tour-spiegel-grove-arboretum-learn-about-trees-history-with-special-tree-tours/.
Tree Tours are sponsored by Dr. Mary and Charles Wonderly.
The ever-popular Squirrel Doors program returns for its fourth year during GroveFest, Hayes Presidential’s annual free nature event, on Saturday, June 21.
The doors will be available for visitors to find through Labor Day, which is Monday, Sept. 1. Through this free program, visitors can either download a squirrel doors map or pick one up in the museum lobby.
The map shows general zones where each door can be found and tells a bit about the squirrels whose “homes” are behind the doors and the trees where the doors are located. Each year, different trees are chosen to help participants learn more about the different varieties of trees at Spiegel Grove.
Squirrel Doors are sponsored by Mosser Construction. 
GroveFest is a free day of fun-filled nature activities, where visitors to the arboretum and see live education animals, enjoy a petting farm, participate in games and make-it, take-it crafts and more.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and attendees can stop by any time throughout the event to join in the festivities. Admission is free.
Participating organizations include:
- Shooting Star Farms petting farm
- Back to the Wild Wildlife Rehabilitation
- Great Lakes Fishery Commission bringing live sea lampreys
- Toledo Zoo
A full list of participating organizations will be available at https://www.rbhayes.org/news/2025/03/21/general/petting-farm-education-animals-crafts-games-more-at-annual-grovefest/.
Hot dogs and ice cream will be available. Donations for food are accepted but are not required.
GroveFest is an opportunity to enjoy nature at Spiegel Grove and to learn about Rutherford and Lucy Hayes’ love of the outdoors. The couple raised cows and chickens and planted trees on their beloved estate.
Lucy Hayes enjoyed fishing, and she loved nature so much that her official White House china had images of the flora and fauna of the United States, from deer and raccoons to fish and lobsters.
Partial funding for GroveFest is by ProMedica Memorial Hospital.
Throughout the spring and summer, Spiegel Grove will be place of peace for those looking for Zen through yoga. Yoga in the Grove is expected to return this year. Dates, times and prices, as well as tickets, will be announced at rbhayes.org.
Summer also marks the return of Verandah Concerts, which feature a variety of musical acts throughout the summer. These free concerts take place twice a month on Wednesday nights at start with an ice cream social on the lawn of the Hayes Home.
As always, the historic, Victorian Hayes Home of the president and first lady, as well as the museum and presidential library, will be open for touring. Hours and ticket prices and online tickets (walk-ins are also welcome), are available here: https://www.rbhayes.org/visit-us/visitor-information/.
Hayes Presidential Library & Museums members receive free admission to the home and museum for a full year, discounts on special event tickets, reciprocal member benefits with other museums, Museum Store discounts, special member-exclusive monthly perks and much more. Details here: https://www.rbhayes.org/main/membership/.