James A. Garfield National Historic Site is pleased to announce that its annual President’s Day event will return on Monday, February 20 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event was online-only the past two years due to the pandemic.
The Site is a unit of the National Park Service that commemorates the life, career, and legacy of James Abram Garfield, twentieth President of the United States. Garfield lived in Mentor when elected to the presidency in 1880, running the nation’s first-ever “front porch” campaign from his home on today’s Mentor Avenue. President Garfield was shot by a deranged assassin on July 2, 1881, dying two-and-half-months later on September 19.
President’s Day visitors to James A. Garfield National Historic Site will be able to tour the Garfield home, visitor center museum, and grounds free of charge. The event will be hosted by First Lady Lucretia Rudolph Garfield and her daughter Mollie. Visitors will be able to meet President George Washington, President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, and President and Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt (all portrayed by historical reenactors). Presidential-themed games and activities will be available in the visitor center.
“President’s Day is one of our favorite holidays and busiest days here at James A. Garfield National Historic Site,” said Site Manager Todd Arrington. “What better place is there to spend President’s Day than a presidential home? We invite everyone to stop by to learn about our Chief Executives and also have a little fun here on President’s Day.”
The President’s Day event is generously supported by The James A. Garfield Alliance and The Garfield Trail of Ohio.
James A. Garfield National Historic Site is located at 8095 Mentor Avenue (U.S. 20) in Mentor, Ohio, approximately 25 miles east of Cleveland. The site offers guided tours of the Garfield home, museum exhibits, and an introductory film. The National Park Service completely restored the house in the late 1990s, making it one of the most impressive presidential homes preserved for the public.
For information call (440) 255-8722, write 8095 Mentor Avenue, Mentor, OH 44060, or visit nps.gov/jaga. Find the site on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as @GarfieldNPS.