An EPIC experience starts as soon as guests see the gates of Spiegel Grove, the 25-acre estate of 19th president and first lady of the United States, Rutherford and Lucy Hayes. From the front desk receptionists to the guides in the Hayes home and every staff member a group encounters in between, The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum staff works collaboratively to ensure each individual guest feels warmly welcomed. As guests enter the museum, they are greeted with a cheerful welcome sign featuring the name of their group. General admission guests check in at the museum’s front desk, then walk to the Hayes home on their own. For group tours, a staff member will escort the group to the Hayes home and interact with the guests, getting to know them individually and giving them a few “teaser” pieces of information to foster a sense of excitement and anticipation for their house tour.
Very few of us will ever be president of the United States, therefore it can be hard for the average American to connect with or relate to a president and first lady, especially ones who served so long ago. However, Rutherford was a father, son, brother and soldier. Lucy was a mother, daughter, sister and homemaker. In other words, they were human, just like all of us, and had joys, hopes, concerns and sadness, just like all of us. The stories visitors experience while on tour demonstrate how the Hayes family relied upon each other and their network of friends to celebrate successes and sustain them through the trials of life. The Hayes home is a spectacular setting for these stories because the contents are all original to the Hayes family. It is not furnished by reproductions or period items from other 19th century families, but the actual items that were part of the Hayes family’s everyday lives. Guests leave feeling like they were part of Rutherford and Lucy’s home and life through the stories and collections guides share! The museum partners with local restaurants and businesses to bring local cuisine to share with group guests to give them an understanding of the unique flavors of the area and the century when Rutherford and Lucy lived at Spiegel Grove.
Small group sizes allow for more intimate experiences, so tour planners should ask about how larger groups can be accommodated while maintaining this ability to get close and personal. Group tour operators/coordinators are able to customize their group’s tour with exclusive experiences not available to the general public. These range from themed specialty and behind-the-scenes tours to horse-drawn trolley rides and live music performances on First Lady Lucy Hayes’s piano in the Hayes home parlor. For general admission guests, the museum is self-guided. Exclusively for group tours, we station guides in our most popular exhibit spaces so that group tour members have an opportunity to informally converse with our staff. Guests can ask questions and receive insider information about our exhibits and artifacts. Group tour guests also receive a discount on their Museum Store purchases., so make sure you schedule time for a little shopping.
The museum’s mission is not only to teach history well, but to help people connect what they’ve learned here with today’s happenings. For example, Hayes’ contested election of 1876 has elements in common with the 2020 presidential election. Through exhibits and guided tour content, guests can relate to the successes and failures of the past to modern concerns. By exemplifying the tenacity of our former leaders and ancestors, the museum hopes to remind visitors that we can triumph over divisiveness and modern struggles. On a lighter note, Spiegel Grove itself can impart a feeling of peace to those who pause to enjoy it. People are looking for tranquil travel experiences now more than ever. With nearly 2,000 trees, some dating back to the 1800’s, and nearly a mile of paved walking paths, the history and natural beauty of Spiegel Grove creates a sense of rejuvenation and serenity.
The museum works closely with tour planners to custom design their experience. Time can be built in for group members to meander around Spiegel Grove on their own, or with a guide who is knowledgeable about the unique botanical aspects of the beautiful grounds.
