James A Garfield National Historic Site
A front porch can serve many purposes. For some, it is a place to enjoy the breeze on a warm summer night. For others, a perch from which to keep eyes on what's happening in their neighborhood. In 1880, James Garfield used his front porch as a platform to greet thousands of well-wishers during his presidential campaign. Today, the porch serves as a gateway to the story of the Garfield family.
About under an hour from Cleveland by car.
Alerts
- ClosureGarfield Site closed October 13-14
The Garfield Site will be closed October 13-14, 2026 for water line repairs. We apologize for the inconvenience.
- CautionLift to porch is unavailable
The lift to the porch of the Garfield Home is currently unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
Hours
| Operating Hours at James A. Garfield National Historic Site | Daily · 10:00AM - 5:00PM |
Hours by date. Standard hours apply on every date not listed.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Standard hours | 10:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Jun 1 to Oct 31, 2026NowSummer hours June - October | 10:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Nov 26, 2026Winter hours - November - April |
|
| Nov 26, 2026Thanksgiving | Closed |
| Dec 25, 2026Christmas Day | Closed |
| Jan 1, 2027New Year's Day | Closed |
| Jan 1, 2027New Year's Day | Closed |
| Jan 18, 2027Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Closed |
| Feb 15, 2027Presidents Day -- Call site for details | 11:00AM - 3:00PM |
| May 1 to May 31, 2027May |
|
| May 31, 2027Memorial Day | 10:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Oct 12, 2027Columbus Day | Closed |
| Oct 12, 2027Columbus Day | 10:00AM - 5:00PM |
When to go
July draws the most visits here and January the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Visitor centers
- James A. Garfield National Historic Site Visitor CenterPassport stamp
In 1893, Lucretia Garfield constructed a Carriage House and Horse Barn behind the Garfield Home. In 1998, the same building was opened as the Visitor Center at James A. Garfield National Historic Site.
Explore
Things to do
- Guided tours of the Garfield home45 Minutes
Guided tours are available through the beautifully restored Garfield home.
Opens on the Park Service site - Complete the Junior Ranger Program!
The Junior Ranger program allows children to learn and explore more about James A. Garfield National Historic Site. Activities can be completed at the site or using our online resources.
Opens on the Park Service site - Cell Phone Tours At James A. Garfield National Historic Site30-60 Minutes
Enjoy the listening to the cell phone while exploring the grounds at James A. Garfield National Historic Site
Opens on the Park Service site - Today in the Park
Visiting the Garfield Home soon? Here's a list of different activities to look forward to while you visit.
Opens on the Park Service site - Your Pet Can Become a B.A.R.K. Ranger!20-30 Minutes
If you bring your dog to James A. Garfield National Historic Site they can become the newest B.A.R.K. Ranger!
Opens on the Park Service site - Start Your Visit in the Visitor Center45-60 Minutes
Start your visit to James A. Garfield National Historic Site in the Visitor Center. Watch the 18 minutes biographical movie of James A. Garfield and browse the museum exhibits that explore and examine his life.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Events
- 12:00 PM · free · registration requiredMentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Avenue, Mentor Ohio
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
Historic landmarks nearby
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Ohio guidebooks
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Weather & climate
Winter tends to be cold with snow and ice from January - early March. Summers are comfortable, but can be humid and reach into the 90's. There is a 100 yard walk between the Visitor Center and Garfield home; visitors are advised to check weather conditions prior to their visit.
Questions people ask
Does James A Garfield charge an entrance fee?
No. James A Garfield is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
What are the hours at James A Garfield?
Standard hours are 10:00AM - 5:00PM, every day. Dated exceptions are listed under Hours.
Source: National Park Service
Is anything closed at James A Garfield right now?
2 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Garfield Site closed October 13-14; Lift to porch is unavailable.
Source: Alerts
How busy is James A Garfield?
34,298 recreation visits in 2025, number 294 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at James A Garfield?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is the weather like at James A Garfield?
Winter tends to be cold with snow and ice from January - early March. Summers are comfortable, but can be humid and reach into the 90's.
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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