2025 Special Events and Programs

 

Browse this page for all sorts of information about programs and special events, both on-site and in the community!

NPS

Join us for special events and programs throughout the year. Unless othewise noted, programs and events are free and take place at the Garfield site.

We can also do virtual programs for your group! Call us at 440-255-8722 or e-mail [e-mail] to inquire about group tours or to receive a list of programs we can present offsite or virtually for your group or club!

January

Wednesday, January 8 at noon at Mentor Public Library (8215 Mentor Ave.)
Get to Know Garfield Series: A Proper Washington Welcome

How does Washington, D.C. welcome new residents to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? The answer: with a ball, of course! Trace inaugural balls throughout American history, highlighting the inaugural ball of President Garfield at the Smithsonian Institution. Please make a reservation for this free, in-person program by calling Mentor Public Library at 440-255-8811. SPEAKER: Allison Powell, James A. Garfield NHS.

Wednesday, January 8 at 8 pm
Park Chat on X

Participate in a live chat with rangers from the Garfield site and staff from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library! Park chats are fun, informal ways to engage with park staff and others about their sites. No registration is needed; please join through X (formerly Twitter) using the hashtag #parkchat.

February

Monday, February 17 from 11 am – 3 pm
Presidents Day

February 17 is Presidents Day, and what better way to celebrate than visiting a presidential home? We’ll be open 11 am-3 pm for tours of the Garfield home, presidential trivia, kids’ activities, crafts, and more. We might even get a visit from a president or two. Event is free of charge, so come out, learn, and enjoy at the home of Mentor, Ohio’s favorite son: 20th President of the United States James A. Garfield! Sponsored by the James A. Garfield Alliance and The Garfield Trail of Ohio. For more information, click here.

March

Wednesday, March 12 at noon at Mentor Public Library (8215 Mentor Avenue)
Get to Know Garfield Series: The Art of Lawnfield

President Garfield described his wife as having “faultless taste.” The home she lovingly made for her family over 100 years ago stands fully furnished and restored today. Learn about Lucretia Garfield’s style and the decorative trends of the Victorian era as we explore the art of Lawnfield. Please make a reservation for this free, in-person program by calling Mentor Public Library at 440-255-8811. SPEAKER: Mary Lintern, James A. Garfield NHS.

April

Monday, April 21 from 1 pm - 3 pm
Easter Monday Egg Roll

This kid-friendly day and favorite of the public takes place on the same day as the Easter Egg Roll at the White House in Washington, D.C.! Games, activities, Easter egg hunts, and the Easter egg roll for kids are all part of this fun day that also commemorates a White House tradition in which President Garfield participated in 1881! Sponsored by the James A. Garfield Alliance. Free. PLEASE NOTE: This is an OUTDOOR event that may be canceled if inclement weather occurs. Sponsored by the James A. Garfield Alliance and The Garfield Trail of Ohio.

May

Tuesday, May 27 at 7 pm
Hillcrest Concert Band on the Lawn

Join us for a beautiful summer evening band concert on the lawn behind President and Mrs. Garfield’s home! The expansive lawn here at James A. Garfield NHS makes for a perfect venue for an outdoor concert featuring music from different periods of American history. Feel free to bring lawn chairs, drinking water, and picnic baskets! (Alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted.) Sponsored by the James A. Garfield Alliance and The Garfield Trail of Ohio. Free and weather permitting.

Monday, May 26 from 10 am – 5 pm
Open for Memorial Day

The Visitor Center is open from 10 am – 5 pm today, and tours of the Garfield home will occur throughout the day.

June

Thursday, June 5 at 7 pm
University Heights Symphonic Band on the Lawn

Join us for a beautiful summer evening band concert on the lawn behind President and Mrs. Garfield’s home! The expansive lawn here at James A. Garfield NHS makes for a perfect venue for an outdoor concert featuring music from different periods of American history. Feel free to bring lawn chairs, drinking water, and picnic baskets! (Alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted.) Sponsored by the James A. Garfield Alliance and the Garfield Trail of Ohio. Free and weather permitting.

Saturday, June 14 at 12 pm
Flag Retirement Ceremony

In honor of Flag Day, join members of local Boy Scout troops as they properly and respectfully retire used and unserviceable American flags. Visitors and citizens are invited to bring flags they would like to have retired or drop those flags off in our Visitor Center in the days before the ceremony. Free.

Thursday, June 19 from 10 am – 5 pm
Open for Juneteenth

The Visitor Center is open from 10 am – 5 pm today, and tours of the Garfield home will occur throughout the day.

Friday, June 27 at 10 am.
Naturalization Ceremony

Visit the site to witness dozens of individuals from nations across the globe take the oath as America’s newest citizens. The Garfield home provides an appropriate and idyllic setting for this uniquely American ceremony. This event planned in partnership with the League of Women Voters, Citizenship & Immigration Services (U.S. Department of Homeland Security), and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The public is invited to attend this uniquely American event. Free.

Saturday, June 28 at 7 pm
The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival Presents Twelfth Night

Several of Shakespeare’s plays are found on the shelves of the Memorial Library at James A. Garfield National Historic Site. This evening, enjoy Shakespeare in the great outdoors as the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival presents Twelfth Night on the expansive lawn behind the Garfield home! The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival is the one of the nation’s largest free outdoor Shakespearean companies! No reservations are required, and the performance is FREE. Feel free to bring lawn chairs and a picnic dinner! No alcoholic beverages permitted. For more information about the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, visit clevelandshakespeare.org. Free.

July

Thursday, July 4 from 10 am – 5 pm
Open for Independence Day

The Visitor Center is open from 10 am – 5 pm today, and tours of the Garfield home will occur throughout the day.

Saturday, July 19 at 2 pm
Lake Effect Concert Band on the Lawn

Join the Lake Effect Concert Band on the grounds for an hour of music from President Garfield’s era—and a few contemporary tunes for good measure! The band is familiar with many of the marches and patriotic songs of the last 130 years, and you can enjoy them just as the Garfield family might have: gathered under the shade of large historic trees. Feel free to bring lawn chairs, drinking water, and picnic baskets! (Alcoholic beverages are not permitted.) Sponsored by the James A. Garfield Alliance and The Garfield Trail of Ohio. Free and weather permitting. Rain date Sunday, July 20 at2 pm.

Sunday, July 27 at 2 pm
Lakeland Civic Summer Band on the Lawn

The Lakeland Civic Summer Band performs on the lawn behind President and Mrs. Garfield’s home. Experience live music as it was enjoyed on the Garfield property during the summer of 1880 when Garfield ran his “front porch” presidential campaign from the home. Feel free to bring lawn chairs, drinking water, and picnic baskets! (Alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted.) Sponsored by the James A. Garfield Alliance and The Garfield Trail of Ohio. Free and weather permitting.

August

Saturday, August 16 at 2 pm
Great Geauga County Fair Band on the Lawn

Join the Great Geauga County Fair Band for the last outdoor concert of the summer at James A. Garfield NHS! They’ll play an hour of music from President Garfield’s era — and a few contemporary tunes, too! The band plays many of the marches and patriotic songs of the last 130 years, and you can enjoy them just as the Garfield family might have: gathered under the shade of large historic trees. Feel free to bring lawn chairs, drinking water, and picnic baskets! (Alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted.) Sponsored by the James A. Garfield Alliance and The Garfield Trail of Ohio. Free and weather permitting.

September

Wednesday, September 10 at noon at Mentor Public Library (8215 Mentor Ave.)
Get to Know Garfield Series: If President Garfield Had Lived

This talk will speculate about what political challenges and opportunities James Garfield might have faced had he not been assassinated and died on September 19th, 1881. Please make a reservation for this free, in-person program by calling Mentor Public Library at 440-255-8811. SPEAKER: Alan Gephardt, James A. Garfield NHS.

Friday, September 12 at 10 am
Naturalization Ceremony

In honor of Constitution Day (Sep. 17), visit the site to witness dozens of individuals from nations across the globe take the oath as America’s newest citizens. The Garfield home provides an appropriate and idyllic setting for this uniquely American ceremony. This event planned in partnership with the League of Women Voters, Citizenship & Immigration Services (U.S. Department of Homeland Security), and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The public is invited to attend this moving event. Free.

Saturday, September 27—10 am-5 pm
National Public Lands Day

National Public Lands Day is set aside each year for Americans to reflect on and celebrate national parks, fish and wildlife refuges, national forests, and other areas set aside for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. Tour the Garfield home, enjoy the museum exhibits and film, walk the grounds, and learn more than you ever thought possible about Mentor’s own President Garfield! No entrance fees charged at any National Park Service sites across the U.S. on Public Lands Day! Free.

October Monday, October 13 from 10 am – 5 pm
Open for Columbus Day

The Visitor Center is open from 10 am – 5 pm today, and tours of the Garfield home will occur throughout the day.

November

Wednesday, November 12 at noon at Mentor Public Library(8215 Mentor Ave.)
Get to Know Garfield Series: Garfield’s Orbit

Throughout his career James A Garfield was associated/friends with many of the Great men of his time. Come and explore some of iconic figures (Alexander Graham Bell, Cyrus Field and Mathew Brady) affiliated with James A Garfield. We will discover their ties to James A Garfield and unveil the rest of their stories after James A Garfield’s passing. Please make a reservation for this free, in-person program by calling Mentor Public Library at 440-255-8811. SPEAKER: Alan Gephardt, James A. Garfield NHS.