Rutherford B. Hayes home: A presidential home visit (our fourth this year!)

Dining room of Rutherford B. Hayes home in Freemont, Ohio. Holiday dinners in December!

This month, Spiegel Grove, the Freemont, Ohio estate of Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th President of the United States, became our 12th individual POTUS home/library visit. An impressive 19th-century home, many of the rooms have been restored to the time period when Hayes, his wife, Lucy and their family lived there, including many of their personal furnishings. 

The home was originally built by Hayes' uncle and guardian, Sardis Birchard, between 1859 and 1863 (Hayes' father died shortly before he was born). Constructed as a summer home that Birchard could share with his nephew and young family, Hayes, was fond of the two-story brick home with eight bedrooms, especially the veranda.

Hayes wanted "a veranda with a home". 

Per the Rutherford B. Hayes museum's website, in 1873, Hayes wrote in his diary, "the best part of the present house is the veranda. But, I would enlarge it. I want a veranda with a house attached." 

He spent the next twenty years planning additions and improvements, including the "large parlor" and a personal library to house his 12,000 books (guessing no pressure from his spouse to download more, accumulate less).

With fellow history buffs, just outside the "large parlor"

Last week, Chris and I, along with friends and fellow history buffs, Pam and Quint, stopped at the Rutherford B. House on our way back from our mini-sojourn in Cleveland (back to the Cleveland Art Museum, this time for a Picasso exhibit - future blog story!). On a very cold March afternoon, we made the short trek from parking lot to the aforementioned veranda, and were greeted warmly by our guide who welcomed us into the grand hallway. Leaning back and looking up, we not only took in the very high ceilings, but a staircase that dominated several floors up. The tour is restricted to only two floors (and we were okay with that).

Personal library with 12,000 books

Staircase, four stories, though tour stops at two

 

Hayes did extend the home and our guide pointed out the demarcation of the original footprint and the additions, starting at the right of the front entrance and beyond the staircase. The "large parlor" was added by Hayes to accommodate their guests as well as their children. Throughout the house, there are several family portraits and pictures of Abraham Lincoln, a president Hayes held in high regard.

Bed with comforter from Lucy's mother.

Sewing machine, another gift.

In a rather modern design, the primary suite is on the first floor. Lucy and Rutherford's bed, which seems, by today's standards, very small, is outfitted in the original bedding gifted to them by Lucy's mother and, in the corner, another present to her daughter, a sewing machine.

This first floor bedroom is attached to Hayes' bathroom, complete with sink, bathtub, commode and a door to the outside, should he wish to make a quick escape from visitors.

and exit door for quick "escapes".

Ensuite bathroom/mancave: tub, commode, sink. . .

 

Another bedroom we found interesting was the one that belonged to Fanny, the only daughter of Lucy and Rutheford. Over the fireplace is a portrait of father and daughter, although, we were told Hayes didn't care for it. He thought Fanny was much prettier than the picture.

There are also prized possessions of Fanny on display in the bedroom including a gold chocolate serving set and two china dolls, one of which was made to resemble Fanny's mother. 

Fanny's rooms displays chocolate set and dolls.

Hayes and Fanny portrait

A favorite room of mine was the dining room, complete with the Hayes' china and silver coffee and tea set. Some of the plates used at the White House are on display over the fireplace. Lucy loved animals and nature and those became themes for their official serving pieces. Our guide told us not every White House guest was pleased with the plates as, while they secured food from the dishes, "eyes" of animals would be staring back at them.

White House dishes. Animal theme not so popular with White House guests.

Our guide also shared that the museum hosts an annual holiday dinner in the dining room where guests are served a multi-course meal in the fashion of the Hayes' era. Following proper etiquette, diners are announced once entering the room and then seated. (How much fun would that be??? Asking for a (few) friends.)

Hayes' journey to the White House was filled with a long list of admirable achievements: Harvard Law school grad, attorney, a major general in the Civil War, a congressman and Governor of Ohio. 

His presidency was off to a rocky start with electoral votes being questioned and deals brokered. And, in the one term he committed to, he made many controversial decisions, two of, perhaps, the biggest involved federal troops. Specifically, removal of troops from Reconstruction states and deploying them during The Great Railway Strike of 1877. (HBO's Gilded Age series highlights the tragic conditions of the ladder as George Russel tries to negotiate a temporary solution.)

Lucy was also accomplished in her own rite and was the first First Lady to graduate from college. 

Another controversial aspect of the Hayes' presidency was Rutherford and Lucy's abolition of wine in the White House. although they still managed to entertain with "elegance and variety".  This practice of alcohol moderation followed after they left the White House and, a reporter coined the phrase "Lemonade Lucy" to the former First Lady.

Both Rutherford and Lucy enjoyed tea, the President often writing about his afternoon tea and who joined him. 

Hayes' themed teas and mugs from gift shop.

In the Rutherford B. Hayes museum, teas are sold that pay homage to the President and First Lady. "President Hayes" tea is a black tea with creme flavor and in honor of his wife, there's "Lucy's Lemonade". We bought them both (and a Rutherford B. Hayes tea mug) - and, yes, a future blog review on those historic blends is in the works.

Rutherford B. Hayes home and library. We'll be back. . . 

We enjoyed our tour of the Rutherford B. Hayes home and learning more about the 19th President of the U.S. We hope to be back. . . perhaps a holiday dinner in December?