Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center

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Long before Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the system of Presidential Libraries the Rutherford B. Hayes Center Library was opened in 1916 and is therefore the first actual Presidential Library and the one of only three for a presidency of the 19th century. Now known as the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, the Spiegel Grove estate in Fremont, Ohio encompasses the Hayes Home, residence to several generations, the Museum and the Library. The Center is supported by the private foundations Ohio Historical Society and Hayes Presidential Center Inc.

The library holds the 12 000 volume personal library of Rutherford B. Hayes as well as materials of his military and political career, particularly of his presidency 1877-81. The library contains by now 70 000 volumes plus newspapers and journals from the time of the Civil War to the eve of World War I.

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[edit] Visitors

The library is open to the public and free of charge. It is opened Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for holidays. The reading room is on the second floor of the building. Disabled persons should announce their visit in advance to receive necessary assistance. Requests for limited research are processed against a research fee. Address: Librarian, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, Ohio, 43420.

[edit] Uniqueness

The library has continued the special interests of Rutherford B. Hayes and concentrates first on the history of the U.S. from 1850 to 1917, especially the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Spanish-American War, rail road, education, black history and Indian/government relations. Second, the history of Ohio and the Sandusky River Valley and the Northwest are of interest. There is a large genealogical collection. The library does not only contain history books on nearly every county of Ohio but also on counties of many other states of the U.S. The library continues expanding its materials on these topics and donations and bequests are always welcome. The materials are also made available on-line.

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