Visitor Center

Current Exhibits

First Floor

Leaders in Literacy: First Ladies as Teachers, Educators, and Librarians

May 2024 - April 2025

The right to an education is a foundational principle of our nation’s history, and so many of our First Ladies have taken this cause to heart throughout the course of the American journey. From one-room schoolhouse teachers such as Abigail Fillmore and Lucretia Garfield, to Eleanor Roosevelt’s Arthurdale experiment, to Barbara and Laura Bush’s literacy initiatives, to current First Lady Dr. Jill Biden’s college teaching, these powerful women have provided opportunities for empowering the young minds of our country to learn, grow, and thrive through education.

The Leaders in Literacy exhibit showcases numerous personal artifacts from the National First Ladies Library & Museum collection that highlight the work of our First Ladies in the areas of education and literacy. The exhibit also features an extraordinary loan from the Arthurdale Heritage Museum featuring First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s efforts to create a New Deal-era “homestead” that would provide a new chance at life and an education for impoverished residents in this West Virginia community. In addition, the exhibit will include artifacts from the George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush Presidential Museums related to First Ladies Barbara and Laura Bush.

To engage younger audiences, the “Leaders in Literacy” exhibit also features programs including “Reading Reimagined” — a replica one-room schoolhouse in our children’s interactive area, as well as the launch of our “Little Leaders” reading and activity program for children ages Pre-K to 4^th grade.

New Treasures: Showcasing our Latest Aquisitions

See what's new in our First Ladies Collection! What does it mean when we add new items to our collection? How do we get these items? Enjoy learning more about our archival process, and seeing a sneak peek at some of our newest items!

Second Floor

Visit the second floor of the Education Center, which is a great place to learn more about all of our nation’s First Ladies, as well as a wonderful family interactive space with activities, games, and fun things to do!

Interactive One-Room Schoolhouse

On the second floor of the museum, children will delight in learning about education in the 1800s by sitting in the wooden seats of a real-life replica schoolhouse. They can explore to their hearts content by writing on the old-fashioned slates, playing with the Victorian-era wooden toys, and ringing the old-fashioned schoolbell. A wonderful family activity!

First Ladies Research Library

The National First Ladies Library & Museum has a rich and extensive collection of books and materials available for researchers. The Research Library, is currently open only by appointment. Please call 440-317-3750 to inquire.

Lower Level

First Ladies on the Campaign Trail

The First Ladies on the Campaign Trail exhibition celebrates the hard work and accomplishments of First Ladies in the campaign arena. Campaign time creates a dilemma for modern First Ladies. They must convey a positive message and glamorous look that can contribute to their husband’s campaigns. However, if they publicly stumble, they can hurt their husbands’ presidential contest chances. How do they maneuver through all the media attention while focusing on their husband’s campaign strategy?

During an election year, it is always appropriate to reflect on the role of the First Ladies on the campaign trail. This exhibit is on display through December 2024.