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Herbert Hoover National Historic SiteBright yellow coneflowers bloom among green prairie grasses.
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Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Plan A Field Trip
 
A ranger points out a small white house to elementary school children.

NPS Photo

Park rangers lead guided tours of historic buildings, including Herbert Hoover's birthplace.

Fees

School groups may visit Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum free of charge.

Reservations

Reserve your school tour by calling the Presidential Library and Museum at (319) 643-5301 or by e-mailing Patricia Seebeck. Once your reservation is confirmed you will receive a confirmation package.

April, May, September, and October are the busiest months for field trips. Please schedule early in the year to ensure your preferred date and time are available.

Guided tours

Most field trips last about 3¾ hours and include:

You may substitute a 30-minute self-guided prairie walk for the 15-minute gravesite visit. The prairie walk follows trails through the 81-acre tallgrass prairie and ends at the Hoovers' gravesite.

You may choose to participate in all of these activities, or omit any based on your preference or time constraints. Guided tours are available Monday through Friday starting at 9:00 a.m.

Self-guided tours

School groups are welcome to visit the National Historic Site and the Presidential Library and Museum for self-guided tours, but are encouraged to make advanced reservations to avoid conflicts with other groups.

Be prepared

Most school tours involve both indoor and outdoor activities. See the Plan Your Visit section for directions, operating hours, and things to know before you come.

HEHO! Activity Worksheets and Activities (PDF file, 1.30 MB) are suggested activities for before and after a field trip visit to Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. Other curriculum materials may also help you and your class make the most of you visit.

Pupils' desks, part of the Schoolhouse furnishings.
Take a virtual tour
Learn more about the historic buildings and landscape with an online tour.
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Girl with a junior ranger hat speaks with a park ranger.
Be a Junior Ranger
Activities for kids in the park or at home.
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A National Park volunteer maps trees.
Volunteer
Volunteering gives you hands-on experience working with the public, park staff, and park resources.
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A wheelchair ramp leads to the historic Schoolhouse.
Accessibility
Guide to accessibility and accessible alternatives
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The television-watching eyes of Herbert Hoover.  

Did You Know?
As Secretary of Commerce in 1927, Herbert Hoover was the first person to appear on an intercity television broadcast. When television became more widespread, Hoover didn't watch it much except to see baseball games.
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Last Updated: November 19, 2008 at 14:59 EST