Rutherford B Hayes Presidential Library and Museum

Visiting the Hayes Presidential Library and Museum

During your visit to the Rutherford B. Hayes Library and Museum, learn about the presidential archives housed within, explore the museum’s galleries, or enjoy a unique shopping experience in the Museum Store. Located on the grounds of Spiegel Grove is the former Hayes family home, open for tours.

Rutherford B. Hayes Library

The Rutherford B. Hayes Library collects preserves and makes available for research its written and visual materials that document Rutherford B. Hayes legal, political and military career as well as Hayes’ personal life and interests. Library holdings include more than 4500 linear feet of documentary material divided into: Rutherford B. Hayes and the Hayes family; the Gilded Age; the Charles E. Frohman Collection; Local History of Northwest Ohio; Special Collections; and Local Government.

Rutherford B. Hayes Museum

Take a firsthand look at the life and times of President Rutherford B. Hayes, his family and the history of Ohio. The Museum’s exhibit galleries devoted to President Hayes’ military service, his role as U.S. Congressman and Ohio governor, and the details of his personal life are brought to life through approximately 1,800 artifacts and wall panels that combine historic images and manuscripts materials with text.

Hayes Home

Take a peek inside the Hayes family home. Located on the grounds of Spiegel Grove, the 31-room Victorian mansion was constructed by Hayes’ uncle and guardian, Sardis Birchard between 1859 and 1863. Later inherited by President Hayes, the mansion became the Hayes family home where both Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife resided until their deaths in the late 1800s. Throughout President Hayes’ ownership of the home, it underwent several major additions including a library, a large reception room, three bedrooms, indoor plumbing and a spectacular butternut staircase leading to a rooftop lantern in 1880. In 1889, a large dining room, kitchen, two servants rooms and three more bedrooms were added to the Hayes Home.

Shopping in the Museum Store

Located adjacent to the Reception Desk in the Hayes Museum is the Museum Store. Books, souvenirs, postcards and gift items many of which relate to the Hayes family, Civil War history and the Victorian era are available for purchase.

Travel Tips

- In addition to the Hayes Museum’s permanent exhibits, the Museum hosts a number of temporary exhibits on loan from other institutions or created by staff.

- Admission to the Hayes Library and Museum does not include entry to the Hayes Home. Guests who wish to visit the Hayes Home can purchase tickets at the Reception Desk in the Hayes Museum.