Back as promised, we are now inside the Library and Museum. There is much to do and see here.
The Presidential Library was first opened to the public in 1916. For a man who disliked politics, Hayes had an interesting career. First as a Civil War soldier, then Congressman, Ohio Governor and finally as our 19
th President from 1877 - 1881.
He refused to run for a second term, and was a constant thorn in the side of his fellow Republicans as he had a mind of his own!
Born in Delaware in 1822; relocated to Ohio in 1817 from
Dummerston, VT; graduated as valedictorian at Kenyon College in
Gambier, Ohio in 1842; received his law degree in 1845, and in his view, most importantly, married Lucy Ware Webb of
Chillicothe, OH.
This gown is the one Lucy wore for her official portrait as first lady. Incidentally, while Governor of Ohio, he always referred to Lucy as his First Lady. When relocating to the White House after his election, he and the staff, and ultimately the press referred to her as the First Lady. Since Lucy Hayes became the "first" First Lady, every Presidential wife has been referred to as the First Lady.
Other interesting facts: Hayes was the first President to take the oath of office inside the White House; he was the only President whose election was decided by a congressional commission; he was the first President to travel to the West Coast during his term of office.
Hayes was the first President to have a telephone & typewriter in the White House. Other Presidents served in the Civil War, but Hayes was the only one to have been wounded five times.
Hayes was the first President to have a library and museum created to house his presidential papers. He started the Easter Egg Roll for his children on the White House lawn in 1878.
With Fanny, the Hayes' 10 year old daughter in the White House, as you might expect, there were doll houses. In February 1878, Fanny received this doll house as a gift from George C. Brown of Baltimore. In spite of my best efforts, my reflection shows in the glass when taking these photos. Since the detail is so exquisite, I decide to include them.
Isn't it interesting that in our very first Presidential Library, no books or documents are on public view? They are in a secure area of the museum and are on view only by petitioning the Trustee's of the estate and obtaining permission. Apparently there was a theft in years gone by which prompted this action. Such a shame. Hopefully they will eventually digitize the documents so copies can be put on view.
While I scour the Library, Bob and many others watch league baseball, the 1860's version, prior to
knickers & baseball gloves. The team name is the
Spiegel Grove Squires and they are playing the Cincinnati Buckeyes. Due to the many trees, the rules are modified to allow a ball caught on the first bounce to be considered an out.
As you can see by this last photo, they are all having a great time!
We loved the tour of the house; but photography is not allowed. The house is remarkable in that 5 generations of Hayes' lived in the house, and never threw anything away, and never removed any of the physical structure. Everything President Hayes and his family had are still on view. Two additions have been made, but one was during the President's lifetime.
After leaving office, he returned to Spiegel Grove and continued to help veterans receive their pensions, improve prison conditions, and promoted universal education. His telephone number was 35, and he was listed in the Fremont 1 page telephone directory as Major General R.B. Hayes.
For further information: Spiegel Grove Squires
Phone: (419)332-2081
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