James A. Garfield National Historic Site

The exhibits cover a great deal of ground in a small amount of space. The information is accurate and helpful overall. The exhibits are well presented in a professional fashion that is pleasing to view and utilizes a combination of text, pictures, artifacts, and audio aids to help tell Garfield’s story. The tour and site give helpful additional context about Garfield’s assassin, Charles Guiteau, that often gets left out of descriptions of the man and the event. The tour is careful to note which elements of the home are original and which have been recreated. It also notes in detail which artifacts and parts of the house were contemporary to the time that James Garfield lived there (as opposed to subsequent additions made by the Garfield family).

However, given the breadth of experience Garfield had, the discussion of his life in the panels at times lacks depth:

• The site and the tour could have explained in a clearer fashion the nature of the divisions within the Republican Party at the time, especially between the so-called “Stalwarts” and the “Half-Breeds.” Understanding Garfield’s position as a compromise candidate between them would make more sense.

• More detail could be given about Garfield’s time in Congress in relation to major political developments of the time. This includes how his push for civil service reform led to the subsequent evolution of the bureaucracy into the 20th century. Nevertheless, the tour provides a helpful outline for deeper study outside the site.

• The site could make a better distinction between the closeness of the 1880 presidential election as a matter of popular votes compared to electoral college votes. The popular vote was extremely close. However, the Electoral College count was a comfortable victory for Garfield.

The site displays no overt ideological bias or attempts to make partisan political points for today. In the Visitors’ Center, there is a section in which visitors can hear a stylized discussion between Garfield and a friend on topics that include slavery, women’s suffrage, creationism versus evolution, theology, and education. In these discussions, Garfield’s views generally receive a fair and even sympathetic rendering even on those issues where his views might not align with prevailing contemporary viewpoints. Much also is made of Garfield’s opposition to slavery and advocacy for civil service reform. These descriptions tend to be straightforward in their wording rather than engaging in any advocacy.

The site is family friendly. Parking is free and provides easy access to the site. The exhibits are very reasonable for families to navigate. The tour is workable for children as well. In addition, employees offer a kid-friendly workbook and give prizes to those who complete it. The workbook focuses children on finding certain objects and asking certain questions that help to focus a child’s observation. While dealing with some intense topics related to Garfield’s life, the presentation is appropriate for all ages.

James A. Garfield was the 20th President of the United States. He lived an accomplished life prior to winning the nation’s highest elected office, one that positioned him well for success. Garfield was a minister in the Disciples of Christ Church; he was an academic, having taught classical languages (among other subjects) and served as principal of what would become Hiram College. He served with distinction in the Union Army early in the Civil War before accepting a seat from Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the House, he was an important part of his party’s efforts in that chamber, including efforts on behalf of protecting the civil rights of African Americans. In early 1880, he was chosen by the Ohio legislature to serve in the U.S. Senate. That same year, he was a compromise candidate at the Republican National Convention for the presidency. Garfield, the first presidential candidate to campaign regularly from his front porch, won by the closest popular vote margin in U.S. history. He sought to reform government employment toward a civil service system and advocated for the natural and political rights of African Americans. He was shot by a troubled and disgruntled Republican Party activist on July 2, 1881, less than four months after taking office and died from resulting infections on September 19, 1881.

Owned By: National Park Service

Operated By: National Park Service

Government Funded: Yes