Presidential estate and arboretum blooming with wildflowers, trees and events
Curtains of pink-striped, white wildflowers line the lawn of the historic home of 19th U.S. President Rutherford and First Lady Lucy Hayes.
Purplish-blue Virginia bluebells bloom thickly at the back of the home around Boffin’s Bower, the charming gazebo-like structure that President Hayes named from a story by Charles Dickens, one of his favorite authors and best known for “A Christmas Carol.”
Trillium, Ohio’s state wildflower, bloom near the gravesite of the president and first lady, which is also on the expansive property, known as Spiegel Grove.
Now and then, a deer runs across the lawn or saunters into the rose garden, while squirrels, the unofficial mascot here, scamper around the property in search of nuts. Groups of people walk together or walk their dogs through the mile of paved trails.
It’s spring time at Spiegel Grove, a Level II arboretum and estate of the president and first lady. And it’s one of the most beautiful times of the year to be here.
Spiegel Grove is home to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. The 25-acre wooded site has the pristinely preserved Victorian mansion of the president and first lady, America’s first presidential library, the two-level museum with permanent and special exhibits, the president’s and first lady’s tomb and original White House gates at the pedestrian entrances.
The grounds are open from dawn to dusk for walking, riding bicycles, picnicking and more
Dogs, which the Hayes family loved, are welcome. Owners should keep them on a leash and pick up after them. Wastebaskets are located around the grounds for pet-waste disposal.
In June, the wildly popular squirrel doors program will start again. Download a squirrel doors map or pick one up at the museum front desk and try to find the whimsical “doors” to each of the squirrel’s homes in Spiegel Grove’s many trees and learn a little about each squirrel who “lives” there. This free program is similar to fairy doors but utilizes the sassy Spiegel Grove squirrels.
Another way to enjoy the grounds is through tree tours of the property. There are more than 1,700 trees at Spiegel Grove, and each tour focuses on a different them and aspect of the trees. Tickets are required. 
Before or after enjoying the grounds, take a guided tour of the historic home, which includes mostly original artifacts and furniture; check out the two-level museum that features original artifacts, photos and manuscripts; and visit the research library, where you can trace your family history, look at local history records and more.
Admission is charged to the home and museum. Visiting the research library is free.
Concerts, vintage base ball games and special events are offered throughout the summer.
Verandah Concerts, which take place twice a month on Wednesdays and are free, feature a wide range of music, from folk to bluegrass to big band. The annual Independence Day Concert featuring the Toledo Concert Band, which includes members of the Toledo Symphony, is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Admission is free.
The Spiegel Grove Squires are the vintage base ball – spelled in the 1800s with two words – team at Hayes Presidential.
They portray Civil War era base ball by wearing period-style uniforms, using the lingo of the time and playing bare-handed. The Squires have five home games this year. Admission to base ball games is free. Bring a chair or blanket for seating.
Another free event is the nature-themed GroveFest, which is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22, on the grounds of Spiegel Grove. Nature organizations will have booths with a variety of hands-on activities, such as games, crafts and live education animals.
Organizations attending include Back to the Wild, Nature’s Nursery, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Birchard Public Library and Stone Laboratory. Food will be available.
The summer wraps up with one of Hayes Presidential’s most popular events, Craft Beers, Cocktail & Corks on Saturday, Aug. 24. Ticket-holders can sample craft beer from regional brewers, wine from local wineries and specialty cocktails while enjoying live music and food truck fare. Tickets are required and can be purchased in advance or the day of the event.
For the full schedule of special events, visit https://www.rbhayes.org/events/.