Garfield Telegraph Nov. and Dec. 2023

Abram Garfield, bottom left, was 7 years old when he painted the tile, top left, that is now in the dining room of the family home, bottom right. Abram Garfield designed Casa Apava, bottom middle, in Palm Beach in 1920.  His later tile work is featured at the estate, top right.

NPS, Historic American Building Survey and New York Society Daily

Abram Garfield: Artist and architect

The decorative tiles that surround the fireplace in the dining room of the Garfield home were a family project that included Lucretia Garfield and her children – Harry, Jimmie, Mollie, Irv, and Abe – and “a family friend.”

Abram was 7 years old when he painted the tile.

The Garfield children enjoyed drawing, painting and water coloring throughout life, but it was the youngest child, Abram, born on November 21, 1872, who made a profession of his artistic abilities and interests.

An 1893 graduate of Williams College, the alma mater of his father and three brothers, Abram Garfield studied architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating in 1896.

He became a Cleveland architect. He formed a partnership with Frank Meade in 1898. That firm exists today as HSB Architects & Engineers.

Garfield had clients from all over the country, but one of his most notable patrons was Ohio Rep. Chester Bolton and his wife and successor, Rep. Frances Payne Bolton.

Abram Garfield designed their Palm Beach, Fla., residence Casa Apava, built circa 1920. The house sold for more than $70 million in 2015.

Rutherford B. Hayes, right, and James A. Garfield are seen in their official presidential portraits.

White House

Rutherford B. Hayes and James A. Garfield: A study in similarity

The 19th and 20th presidents of the United States were men whose lives paralleled in many ways.

Both were from Ohio. Hayes was born in Delaware, Ohio, in 1822. Garfield was born in 1831, in Orange, Ohio. (now Moreland Hills)

Both were raised by a single parent. Hayes’ father died before he was born. Garfield’s father died when he was 16 months old.

Both were the fathers of large families. Hayes had eight children, three of whom died before the age of four. Garfield had seven children, two of whom also died before the age of four.

Both were lawyers.  Hayes went to the Harvard School of Law and earned his law degree in 1845. Garfield read law under attorney Albert Riddle and was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1861.  

Both achieved the rank of Major General during the Civil War, although Garfield held the full rank, while Hayes’ was a brevet.  

Both were elected to the House of Representatives during the war, Garfield in 1862 and Hayes in 1864.

Both men sought to insure the civil and political rights of African-Americans.

Both advocated civil service reform during their presidencies.

The Hayes family undertook the creation of the first presidential library open to the public. It houses President Hayes’ public and private papers. It opened in 1916.

A memorial library was added to the Garfield home between 1885-1886, under Mrs. Garfield’s direction. A vault containing the President’s papers was included.

The library and vault were originally private family spaces. In 1936, the library was opened to the public, but the vault containing the papers remained closed to view.

Winter comes to Garfield Historic Site

Here are the winter hours for the James A. Garfield National Historic Site:

Free tours: Friday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are only required for tours of six people or more. Please call [phone] for reservations or more information.

Grounds: Open Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 10-5 p.m. The Site’s winter hours will be in effect through April 30, 2024.

“We’re excited to offer visitors three days per week during the winter season to visit James A. Garfield National Historic Site and tour the Garfield home,” said Site Manager Todd Arrington.

“Even on the days our buildings are closed, visitors are invited to walk the grounds, read outdoor exhibit panels, and enjoy our cell phone tours.”

Monthly events

Nov. 8 at 12 noon at Mentor Public Library: Leaders & Legacies of the Civil War Era: Deconstructing the Gettysburg Address: This program will feature a line-by-line deconstruction and explanation of the Address. What did Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address really mean? What was Lincoln really saying? How did his words reshape how the Union viewed the Civil War and what the North was fighting for? Call the library at [phone] for free reservations.

Nov. 19 at 8:30 a.m.: Eighth Annual Garfield Gallop 5K Race. Runners are invited to celebrate President James A. Garfield’s 192nd birthday by participating in the annual Garfield Gallop 5K! This race is sponsored by Second Sole of Mentor and will begin and end on the grounds of James A. Garfield NHS. Runners must register at secondsoleohio.com or call Second Sole at 440-290-0185.

Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.: Join former First Lady Lucretia Garfield for an intimate evening as she reminisces about the Garfield family’s cherished holiday memories and traditions. Live music, light refreshments and a candlelight tour of the Garfield home are included. Cost is $15 per person. Reservations required. Information on ticket purchases to follow. The minimum age is 16.

Dec. 13 at 12 noon at Mentor Public Library: Leaders & Legacies of the Civil War Era: Art Inspired by the Civil War: In this presentation, learn more about the many classic pieces and styles of artwork inspired by America’s most defining event outside the founding itself: the Civil War. Call the library at [phone] for free reservations.