 |
|
|
Historical site’s events worthy of a president
By Deanna R. Adams, Today’s Family Correspondent
 While most Lake County residents are well aware that the home of James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, is within miles from their own, some have never stepped foot in the door of the famous leader’s old stomping grounds.
“When you drive by every day on your way to somewhere else, it’s easy to take it for granted,” says Todd Arrington, Chief of Interpretation and Education at The James A. Garfield National Historic Site. “That said, we do get 25,000 to 30,000 visitors each year and many are local residents. They often come first because out-of-town relatives and friends want to see the Garfield estate, but once they visit, they return on their own because there’s so much to see, learn and enjoy here.”
Naturally, President’s Day is the busiest time of the year at Lawnfield. This year, the celebrations last throughout the weekend leading up to Monday, February 15. On Saturday, there will be an “American Icons Celebration” with a Presidential, or First Lady, Look-a-Like Contest at the Great Lakes Mall beginning at 1 p.m. So if you, or someone you know, resemble any of the 44 presidents, or first ladies, this may be the most fun you’ve ever had on Presidents Day! The following day is the Sunday Program Series, which will feature a two-hour presentation of the History Channel’s The Presidents, covering the life of Garfield and other Chief Executives. Then enjoy a host of activities all day long on President’s Day. All events are free and open to the public.
A President’s Legacy
James A. Garfield was an American president for just six months before he was assassinated in 1881. While this gave him little time to achieve much in office (though he did make an impact on civil service reform), the former Hiram College president served the country as a major Army general, and a member of the U.S House of Representatives. “Garfield was a very accomplished, intelligent, outgoing man,” says Arrington. “And he was the first politician to address citizens from his front porch. His property was a railroad stop, so once he became a presidential candidate, thousands came to learn more about him, and would gather around him to hear him speak at Lawnfield.”
Visitors learn about that and much more when they attend one of several tours that take place through the year at the historic Mentor home, now a National Park run site. Every Saturday, there is a “Kids Tour” which begins at noon and lasts approximately 45 minutes. The cost is free for kids 15 and younger. Accompanying adults pay just $5.00. “What fascinates kids the most, I think, is learning how the Garfield children lived back in the 1880s,” Arrington says.
The two-hour “Behind the Scenes” tour takes visitors into all the rooms of the house including the basement and attic as well as the outside buildings, windmill and barn—all while hearing captivating stories about Garfield and his family. And while each room is interesting in its own right, Arrington says the most popular one by far is the library, which Mrs. Garfield had added after her husband’s death to preserve his official papers and his thousands of volumes of books. “The room is ornately designed and colorfully decorated, which gives you a warm, welcoming feeling,” he notes.
For Civil War buffs, the “James A. Garfield and Civil War Tour” that takes place the third Saturday each month, explores the battles of Middle Creek and Chickamauga and Garfield’s role in this history.
“The greatest thing about visiting Lawnfield is that it’s a place the entire family can enjoy together,” says Arrington. “We don’t just focus on Garfield, the man, but also on the times in which he lived, and they were indeed fascinating times.”
James A. Garfield National Historic Site
8095 Mentor Avenue
440-255-8722
www.nps.gov/jaga
 Print this story
Share this story:
Back to Previous Page
|
 |
|
|
|
