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Contact: Adam Prato, (319) 643-7855
On Saturday, August 25, 2007 Herbert Hoover National Historic Site will celebrate the 91st anniversary of the National Park Service’s establishment. The National Park Service manages 391 national parks, historic sites, and monuments across the United States. Although Congress created the first National Park, Yellowstone, in 1872, there was no real system of national parks until a federal bureau, the National Park Service, was created on August 25, 1916. Admission to Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum will be free. Two videos “Adventure and Great Undertakings: Herbert Hoover’s Childhood in West Branch” and “Sacred Land – the story of Effigy Mounds National Monument” will play throughout the day in the National Park Service Visitor Center. Guided walking tours of the historic buildings and grounds will meet at the Visitor Center hourly from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Living history guides lead the tours starting at 10, 11, 12, and 1, and let you see West Branch through the eyes of an 1879 resident. Living history interpreters will demonstrate historic crafts, games, music, school teaching, and other activities from 19th century West Branch. At 11:00 a.m., meet a park ranger in front of the Presidential Library and Museum for a guided tour of the tallgrass prairie. The walk is one half-mile and lasts about one hour. Bring water, dress for the weather, and wear comfortable walking shoes. Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent are also recommended. Junior Ranger activity booklets will be available at the Visitor Center for children ages 5 to 14. Children can earn Junior Ranger badges by completing the booklet. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 of I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Parking is limited so please allow extra time to find a parking space. |
Last updated: April 10, 2015