Accessibility

Welcome to James A. Garfield National Historic Site, home of the 20th President of the United States. The home is located in Mentor, Ohio, about 25 miles east of Cleveland. Directions to the site can be found here .

Tours begin in the Visitor Center which is in the 1894 Carriage House constructed under the watch of Mrs. Lucretia Garfield. The Visitor Center contains exhibits in former horse stalls, on panels and in displays consisting of photos, artifacts and text. There are two audio-based exhibits in the Visitor Center.

A theatre is located in the Visitor Center. There is an 18-minute biographical film about James A. Garfield shown by request. Located at the back of the theatre is a pink wall where the park displays different topics throughout the year. There are no campgrounds, lodges, or pay phones within the park.

The park offers guided tours led by park rangers and volunteers through the Garfield home; tours begin in the Visitor Center. Visitors can call the site the day of their visit to get a schedule of tours. Restrooms are located in the building next to the Visitor Center. A water fountain and bottle filling station is located outside near the restrooms or inside the Visitor Center. During the winter season the outside water fountains are not functioning and you must enter the Visitor Center to access the water fountain.

An audio described version of the park brochure's can be found here.

 

Parking:

• There is one parking lot on site.
• There are two accessible parking spaces available.
• There is a drop off spot closer to the Visitor Center

Visitor Center:

• Tickets for tours of the Garfield Home, exhibits, site movie, and bookstore can be found in the Visitor Center.
• The Visitor Center is on one floor.
• Wheelchairs and walking cane chairs are available upon request
• Entrances:
  • The front and back doors to the Visitor Center can only be opened manually. If needed double doors can be propped open.
• Restrooms:
  • Located in the building next to the Visitor Center.
  • Public restrooms have power assisted doors.
  • There are also two benches outside the restrooms.
• Theater:
  • The park’s 18-minute introductory firm is equipped with open captions.
  • There is a space available for wheelchairs.
  • The door can be opened for easy access or there is an opening in the back of the theater for access.
    • A transcript is available at the Front Desk if needed.
  • Water Fountain:
    • There are two water filling stations at the Visitor Center and easily accessed for visitors in wheelchairs.
  • Exhibits:
  • These exhibits are in chronological order of the President’s life.
    • With advanced notice a ranger or volunteer can be scheduled to guide visitors with visual and hearing impairments through the exhibit areas.
    • Recorded audio description is not available for all the exhibits.
    • Flashlights are available at the front desk if additional lighting is needed.
    • Many of the exhibits are tactile so that visitors are able to read the text.
    • Four of the exhibits have audio and are motion activated.
      • The audio exhibits each have a transcript of the topic available near the audio or at the Front Desk.

Grounds and Waysides

• At James A. Garfield National Historic Site there is only one loop path for visitors to explore.
• Pathways on the loop are made of a smooth material.
  • The length of the path is about one fourth of a mile.
  • There is one path behind the house that connects visitors to the main path that is on a slight incline.
  • Also when exiting the home be aware that this is also on a slight incline.
• Waysides: 10 waysides along the path on the grounds.
  • Each wayside has easy access for all visitors.
  • Visitors can enjoy the site’s cell phone tour which stops along the loop path and talks different aspects of the Garfield property.
    • Some buildings included in the cell phone tour include the following: horse barn, chicken coop, granary, and carriage house.
• Benches:
  • Along the quarter mile path visitors will find 10 benches for visitors to use if needed.
• Picnic Area: There are six picnic tables in this area.
  • There is one concrete path that makes easy access to the picnic area; the rest are in a grassy area that may be accessible to some visitors.
    • This path leads to one side of picnic table that a wheelchair can roll right up to.

Tours:

• Guided tours are the only way visitors have access to the home.
• There is about a 300-yard walk to the front door where the tour begins.
• A golf cart is available to those individuals who need assistance to the Garfield Home.
• Folding chairs are available inside the home; just ask your guide!
• Front Porch of the Garfield Home:
  • A lift is available for those who need it.
  • Doors can be opened to accommodate wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers.
• Inside the Garfield home:
  • Elevator can take visitors up to the library level; this is for anyone who has difficulty walking up two flights of stairs.
• Bedroom Level:
  • Accessed by walking up a total of 5 or 6 steps.
    • A movie with open captions can be played for those who don’t take the steps.
• Written versions of our guided tour, which visitors with hearing impairments may use on the guided tour can be picked up at the front desk in the Visitor Center.
• House Museum:
  • After the tour visitors are welcome to explore more exhibits about the home and family.
    • There is a ramp that takes visitors from one area to the exit door.
• Campaign Office:
  • After exiting the tour, take time to explore President Garfield’s Campaign Office right behind the home.
    • There is a lift to the front of this building. Ask guide and they will have the cord ready.

 

Service Animals

Visitor Center

• Service animals are allowed in National Parks. For a definition of a service animal, please go to https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

Guided Home Tours

• Service animals are allowed in national parks.

• Please call ahead if you plan on visiting with a service animal to find out more about the house tour and facility.

Grounds

• Water: Water is available at the Visitor Center drinking fountain or outside fountain. There is no water available in the home for service animals (or humans!), the park does not provide any cups or dishes for service animal.

• Waste: A pet waste station is located near the Visitor Center entrance. Plastic bags are provided- please use one, or bring your own.
  
  

  

  Access Pass
  The Access Pass allows free entrance to federal fee areas and can be shown for some discounts on services. The pass is free for citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who present documentation (such as from a licensed physician, the Veteran's Administration, or a vocational rehabilitation agency) of a permanent medical disability. The Golden Access Passport is still valid, but you can trade it in for the new Access Pass.

  Obtain the Access Pass at the James A. Garfield NHS Visitor Center or https://store.usgs.gov/pass.

 

Other considerations

• Winters in Ohio tend to be cold with snow and ice from December to April. Summers in Ohio are comfortable, but can be humid and reach into the 90's. There is a 300 yard walk between the Visitor Center and Garfield home; visitors are advised to check weather conditions prior to their visit.
• If you need more information please call the site at [phone].