Updated March 2025

Join me as I visit the sites in the Ohio History Connection network! This month's road trip took me to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums in Fremont.

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is located in Fremont, about halfway between Toledo and Cleveland. Coming from Columbus, it is an easy drive through rolling farmland. And while it may be a bit of a drive for members from southern Ohio, it’s well worth the time.

The site consists of the Hayes home, the Presidential Library & Museum and the grounds—each are not to be missed. The home has been lovingly restored and provides a fascinating glimpse into President Hayes' private life, as well as life in 19th century Ohio. The Presidential Library & Museum chronicles the contentious 1876 presidential campaign and the Hayes presidency, as well as the Hayes family, the history of Fremont and rotating special exhibits, including the upcoming “Inside President Hayes’ Library” exhibit which opens March 28, 2025. The spectacular grounds have walking paths, more than 1,700 trees, wildflowers, the Hayes tomb and a lot of squirrels. Be sure to wear your walking shoes!

Address: Spiegel Grove, Fremont, OH  43420 (this is the actual address of the site and what you will want to use when you navigate there with your phone or GPS)

How much time: In order to see both buildings and the grounds, I would budget at least three hours. We did the house tour and explored the museum before heading to lunch. We came back after lunch to walk the grounds.

My favorites: The house tour is not to be missed. My favorite part of the house was President Hayes' bathroom/office/tool storage area. Also be sure to look up while you're in the home—many of the rooms have elaborate wallpaper on the ceiling. In the museum, I was especially taken with the section on the lower level devoted to telling the story of Rutherford and Lucy Hayes' relationship. They were head over heels in love and it was a delight to see their gifts and notes to each other.

Truda's Tips: Be sure to go to the museum first to check in. You can find out when the next house tour starts and visit the restrooms. You can also grab a map of the museum and the grounds, as well as check out the museum store.

Also, if you are feeling especially energetic, you can earn a sticker by walking up and down the verandah of the Hayes home 33 times, which is the equivalent of a mile. President Hayes was ahead of his time and liked to get his steps in. He apparently walked six miles a day and often walked the verandah.

The first floor of the Hayes home is wheelchair accessible, and the staff has a variety of accommodations they can make to help visitors with mobility issues have a great experience. You can find out more here. Call the site 72 hours in advance to discuss your specific needs.

Don't Miss: When you're touring the grounds, don't forget to look for the plaques on many of the trees. President Hayes enjoyed naming trees in honor of people who he felt made great contributions to society. He would have a tree ceremony where the honoree would put their hands on the tree, and the trees would be marked with plaques.

Lunch: As you know, lunch is a very important part of any road trip for me! There’s plenty of room to spread out a picnic blanket and eat your lunch on the grounds of Speigel Grove when the weather is nice.

We decided to visit a Fremont institution—The Tackle Box 2. Located right on the Sandusky River about seven minutes from Speigel Grove, it came highly recommended by the Hayes staff.

The menu features Midwest favorites like fried bologna, pork tenderloin sandwiches, burgers and wings. But the real star of the menu is the breaded perch, which is sold in one and half pound portions. My coworker and I both got the perch, as well as an order of fried mushrooms, which were delightful.

I’m originally from southwest Ohio and haven’t spent time in the Lake Erie area, so I wasn’t familiar with the joys of breaded perch. (I wasn’t even sure how to approach eating my huge plate of breaded fish. My coworker told me to use a fork, but that I wouldn’t be judged if I used my fingers.) I’m now a true believer. The perch was incredibly fresh and lightly breaded, not at all fishy or greasy. Even if you don’t like fish, I think you might enjoy the perch at The Tackle Box 2.

In addition to the great food, the service was lightning fast, and the décor was fun. I’d highly recommend giving it a try! Next time I go, I’ll try their other specialty—frog legs.

For more information: For more information, visit our website or the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums website.

Want to make a day of it? The Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is located in Sandusky County. Discover everything the area has to offer by visiting the Sandusky County Visitors Bureau website and the Shores & Islands Ohio website.

Ohio History Connection members enjoy free general admission to the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums and the rest of the historic sites and museums in our network. Visit ohiohistory.org/join for more details!