Hayes Presidential to have tree planting, wreath laying, exhibit dedication for President Hayes’ birthday
Spend the afternoon at Spiegel Grove with meaningful events honoring military service and celebrating President Rutherford B. Hayes’ birthday on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Events begin at 1:30 p.m. with the planting of a white oak tree just south of the rose garden and near the president’s tomb as part of the Heritage Trees: Planting History program under America 250-Ohio.
The Heritage Trees program officially kicked off in Lima, on Arbor Day 2025 (April 25, 2025), and will ensure the planting of a commemorative tree in communities across the state. Spiegel Grove was chosen as the site for Heritage Tree for Fremont because it is the estate of 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife, First Lady Lucy Hayes, as well as an accredited arboretum.
“We are so proud to be chosen as the location of the Heritage Tree,” said John Havens, Hayes Presidential building & grounds superintendent. “This young white oak will take its place among our majestic trees, some dating back before 1776 here at Spiegel Grove.”
Immediately following the tree planting, U.S. military representatives will honor President Hayes’ birthday, which is Oct. 4, with a wreath-laying at his burial site. This event includes talks by the military and Hayes Presidential Executive Director Christie Weininger, as well as the playing of “Taps,” by a bugler.
During the wreath-laying, Hayes Presidential will also dedicate the special visiting outdoor exhibit “Eyes of Freedom,” which is honors the Lima Company deployed to Iraq in 2005. Twenty-two marines and one Navy corpsman were killed in action that year, and this exhibit honors their sacrifice, as well as the service of all military.
Michelle White, “Eyes of Freedom” executive director of strategic development, will speak during the ceremony. “Eyes of Freedom” is an outdoor installation that will be on display from Saturday, Oct. 3, through Monday, Oct. 5, on the grounds of Spiegel Grove.
Representatives from “Eyes of Freedom” will be on the grounds at various times throughout those days to answer questions about the exhibits.
Admission to “Eyes of Freedom” and the events on Sunday, Oct. 4, is free.
Following the events on Sunday, Oct. 4, refreshments will be served on the lawn behind the Hayes Home.
About the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums and Spiegel Grove
Hayes Presidential is America’s first presidential library and the forerunner of the federal presidential library system. It is partially funded by the state of Ohio and affiliated with the Ohio History Connection. Hayes Presidential is located at Spiegel Grove on Buckland Avenue.
Spiegel Grove is home to more than 117 species of trees, some of which date back to President Rutherford B. Hayes’ time on the estate and even earlier. Varieties include chestnut, oak, holly, ginkgo, various pines and more. A seedling of the Oklahoma City bombing Survivor Tree also has been planted and is thriving on the property.
Hayes Presidential is a Level 2 arboretum accredited by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. Level 2 arboreta have 100 and more species of trees.
For information, call 419-332-2081, or visit rbhayes.org. Like Hayes Presidential on Facebook and follow on Instagram at rbhayespres and on Bluesky at rbhayespres.bsky.social.
About the Heritage Tree program and America 250-Ohio
The Heritage Trees initiative draws inspiration from the historic Liberty Tree in Boston during the Revolutionary War period. The Heritage Trees program aims to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary by planting native-to-Ohio white oak trees across the state. Throughout the celebration, America 250-Ohio will offer each Ohio county a white oak tree in honor of America’s 250th birthday. Sites selected in each county could be a city that acts as the county seat or participates in the Tree City USA program.
White oak trees were chosen as Heritage Trees because they grow in many soil types, resist most tree diseases and are native to Ohio. A specific white oak species will be chosen based on the county climate and purchased from a reputable Ohio tree nursery.
The Heritage Trees program is made possible by presenting sponsor Cenovus Energy and supporting sponsors Ohio Liquor and The Lubrizol Foundation. The program was created in partnership with Dawes Arboretum, Cox Arboretum MetroPark, Holden Forests & Gardens, Keep Ohio Beautiful, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Rowe Arboretum and Secrest Arboretum.
In 2026, the United States is celebrating its semiquincentennial, which is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Each state has been encouraged to create a celebration and commemoration of this anniversary to reflect the unique character and contributions of each state to the nation over the past 250 years. Ohio is fully embracing this opportunity.
The Ohio Commission for the Semiquincentennial (aka America 250-Ohio Commission or AM250-OH) was created by the Ohio legislature and launched on March 1, 2022. The charge of the AM250-OH Commission is “…to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United States and the impact of Ohioans on the nation’s past, present, and future.” — Ohio Revised Code (149.309). More information can be found at America250-Ohio.org.