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Purpose James A. Garfield National Historic Site preserves the property that best represents the life and legacy of the 20th President of the United States for the benefit, education, and inspiration of present and future generations. Sigificance • The Mentor Farm was the home of James A. Garfield from the later years of his long congressional career until his assassination while serving as president in 1881. The property was significant to Garfield’s congressional constituency during his rise to the presidency, became a national symbol during the presidential campaign, and remains a tangible symbol of Garfield’s political acumen. • James A. Garfield’s Mentor Farm was the site of the successful 1880 “front porch” presidential campaign, a style of campaigning that Garfield popularized and that influenced subsequent presidential races. Composing many of his speeches in his study, he delivered them to reporters and visitors from the front porch of his home, which was a new approach to relating to and directly communicating with the public. • The exceptionally well-preserved and accurately restored home, combined with one of the most complete collections of a 19th century presidential family’s belongings, provides a rich, immersive experience. Visitors see the family’s furniture, decorative artwork, and personal belongings situated as they were during President Garfield’s life and Mrs. Lucretia Garfield’s subsequent memorialization efforts. • Lucretia Garfield created the first presidential memorial library as an addition to the home. It contained her husband’s books; personal, professional, and political correspondence; speeches; and diaries. She was dedicated to preserving his legacy for the rest of her life, and her work advanced the concept of presidential libraries and archives. |
Last updated: April 3, 2020