James A. Garfield
National Historic Site

This site preserves the property associated with the 20th President of the United States. Garfield acquired the home in 1876 to accommodate his large family. The home, named Lawnfield by reporters, was the site of the first successful front porch campaign in 1880. James A. Garfield was President from March 4, 1881 until his death on September 19, 1881. Four years after his assassination, the Memorial Library wing was added by Mrs. Garfield and her family - setting the precedence for presidential libraries. James A. Garfield NHS is operated by the National Park Service and the Western Reserve Historical Society.

VISITATION:

James A. Garfield Visitor Center, built in the 1893 Carriage House, opened to the public July 8, 1996.

The Main House re-opened for public tours on June 20, 1998.

 

LOCATION:

Mentor, Ohio (approximately 25 miles east of Cleveland)

 

ADDRESS:

8095 Mentor Avenue
Mentor, Ohio 44060

 

TELEPHONE:

(440) 255-8722

 

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Monday through Saturday        10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday                                      noon to 5 p.m.

Closed:     New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

*The last house tour leaves at 4:45 p.m. daily.

 

 

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Northeast Ohio weather is generally mild but can be extreme in the winter. Snowfall can be very heavy in Mentor. Current exhibits are all located indoors.

 

DIRECTIONS:

From I-90 (east of Cleveland), take the SR 306 Mentor-Kirtland exit. Travel north on SR 306 for two miles to Mentor Avenue (US 20). Turn right and travel east for two miles. James A. Garfield NHS is located at 8095 Mentor Avenue, on the north side of the road.

 

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: Cleveland Hopkins Airport, Amtrak and bus terminals are all available within thirty miles of the site. In Park: Parking is adjacent to the visitor center.

 

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

A free visitor center in the 1893 carriage house features exhibits on President Garfield's life, a bookstore, and an auditorium for viewing an 18-minute video about the president.

 

Fees for the main house tour are:

$6        Adults

$5        Seniors (60+)

$4        Children 6 - 12

$3        Federal Golden Passport Holders
Free     Children under 6 and Western Reserve Historical Society Members

 

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:

Visitor Center/Exhibits: The visitor center houses exhibits and a video on the life of James A. Garfield.

 

Main House: Thirty-five minute tours take visitors through the main house.

 

Lodging and camping facilities:

No lodging available at the site. Many hotels and motels are within five miles.

 

Food/Supplies:

Local restaurants, grocery stores and gasoline stations close by.

 

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

Western Reserve Historical Society operates a bookstore in the visitor center.

 

Accessibility:

The visitor center is fully accessible for wheelchairs. In the main house, the first floor, memorial library, and exhibits in the main house are wheelchair accessible.

 

Special Needs:

Bus parking is available.

 

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Visit the visitor center and take a guided-tour of the main house.

 

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Groups reservations required.

 

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Plan to spend an hour in the visitor center. When open there may be timed-tickets for tours of the main house. Call ahead for details.

 

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

The Western Reserve Historical Society and the National Park Service offer tours and programs throughout the year.

 

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Heavy winter snowfall may slow area traffic.

 

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

James A. Garfield was born in Orange Township, now part of Moreland Hills, Ohio. The Moreland Hills Historical Society maintains a trail and statue leading to the site of the original log cabin. The site is located at 4350 S.O.M. Road in Moreland Hills, Ohio 44022. For information contact the Moreland Hills City Hall at (440) 248-1188.

 

The James A. Garfield Monument was erected by the citizens of the United States in his memory and dedicated in 1890. It is located in Lake View Cemetery at 12316 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. Open daily April 1 through November 15. For information contact the Lake View Cemetery Association at (216) 421-2665.

 

There are many fine museums in the city of Cleveland including, The Western Reserve Historical Society Museum, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area with the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is one-hour southwest.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Contact:

 

Site Manager

James A. Garfield NHS

8095 Mentor Avenue

Mentor, Ohio 44060

Telephone: (440) 255-8722

FAX (440) 255-8545.