I loved this trip to Fremont, especially seeing Spiegel Grove, 25 acres of trees, gardens, home and museum.
An acrostic about Rutherford B. Hayes, our 19th president.
R utherford was born in Delaware, Ohio in 1822.
U nited with Lucy Webb in marriage in 1852, both were outgoing, cheerful, devoted to their family, and were thought to be perfectly suited to public life.
T hey had 5 children that survived childhood, 4 boys and a girl.
H e served 4 years in the union army during the Civil War, returned a hero and both he and Lucy thought this was his greatest life achievement.
E lected to the House of Representatives in 1865, he then served three terms as Governor of Ohio from 1867-1876.
R an for president in 1876, and the results were so close, he went to bed that night thinking he had lost the election.
F inal withdrawal of all troops from the south and the end of Reconstruction were 2 important accomplishments of his administration.
O ne of his important acts in office was laying the foundation for an American-controlled Panama Canal, built 25 years later.
R utherford's uncle, Sardis Birchard, bought, built and resided at Spiegel Grove in 1873. The Hayes family visited, worked on and occasionally stayed here before and during his presidency, retiring here in 1881.
D uring their White House years, both the president and his wife were criticized for their strong temperance beliefs, resulting in no alcohol being served in the White House.
B. oth the president and Lucy travelled extensively during his years in office, another thing they were criticized for.
H e refused to run for a second term, and had made this clear from the beginning of his campaign that he would be a "one-term president."
A t the end of his term, they moved to Spiegel Grove and began planning for additions and improvements.
Y early lists were kept ,in detail, of the plants and trees that were planted, of the yields of the crops and plans for the next year. These records can all be found on the museum's web site.
E specially close to family and friends as the Hayes were, Spiegel Grove needed more bedrooms and a larger diningroom for everyone that came to stay or visit.
S piegel Grove is the final resting place for both the president and his wife. Lucy died in 1889 before the major additions were completed on the house. The president died 4 years later.
This official portrait of Lucy Hayes still hangs in the white House today. It was a gift from the Women's Temperance Union.
This ebony furniture was designed specifically for Fanny Hayes, the president's only daughter. She used it in her room at the White House, then brought it back to Spiegel Grove where it is on display in her bedroom.
The house at Speigel Grove.
"Lovers' Lane" a popular trail in Spiegel Grove. These trees were planted by the former president.
A welcoming front porch on the house.
The grounds are beautiful, and are open to the public everyday till dark. Many walkers and bikers were there the day I visited.
The grounds are beautiful, and are open to the public everyday till dark. Many walkers and bikers were there the day I visited.
The Hayes Museum was built in 1916. The presidents' great-great-grandson is currently on the Board of Trustees.
Final resting place of President Hayes and his wife, Lucy.
I followed up on this trip by reading a biography of Lucy Hayes. These were two fascinating people, devoted to their family and devoted to their country. I would have been honored to have been able to vote for this president in 1886, and I'm happy that Spiegel Grove stayed in their family, and eventually was given to the State of Ohio as an historic site!
