2026 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 us to inquire about group tours or to receive a list of programs we can present offsite or virtually for your group or club!

May

Tuesday, May 26 @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 4 @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 13 @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.

Friday, June 19 from 10 am – 5 pm
Open for Junteenth
The Visitor Center is open from 10 am – 5 pm today, and tours of the Garfield home will occur throughout the day.

Saturday, June 27 @7 pm
The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival Presents Comedy of Errors
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 Comedy of Errors 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

Wednesday, July 1 @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, 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 18 @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.

Saturday, July 25 @7 pm
The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival Presents Richard III
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 Richard III 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.

Sunday, July 26 @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 15 @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

Thursday, September 17 @10 am
Naturalization CeremonyIn honor of Constitution Day 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.

Sunday, September 27—10 am-5 pm
National Public Lands DayNational 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.

September 24, 25 and 26
An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe was America’s most famous writer of the macabre, and several of his works are among James and Lucretia Garfield’s book collection. Visit for three nights of special performances of several Poe stories and poems by David Keltz, America’s foremost Poe performer! This event is for those 16 years and older. Cost is $35/per ticket per performance. Tickets are limited, required, and can only be purchased online. They will go on sale in early September; check back then for the link. Each night will feature 6 pm and 8 pm shows. Sponsored by the James A. Garfield Alliance and The Garfield Trail of Ohio.

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

Saturday, November 14 from 8:30-2pm
Garfield Heritage Hike
Trace James A. Garfield’s path through parts of Northeast Ohio on this once-every-five-year heritage hike, celebrating the President’s 195^th birthday. Beginning at the Garfield Birthplace site in Moreland Hills, hikers will walk through area towns with stops at Garfield Memorial Church, Shaker Lakes (lunch stop), and end at the Garfield Monument in Lake View Cemetery. Full hike is 12.5 miles; short hike from Shaker Lakes to Lake View Cemetery is 2.5 miles. Registration is required. Email e-mail us for registration information.

Wednesday, November 12 @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: Victor Elswick, James A. Garfield NHS.

December

Saturday, December 5 @2 pm and 6 pm
A Winter Evening at Lawnfield: 1912
Join Widow Lucretia R. Garfield (portrayed by Debbie Weinkamer), son James R. Garfield (portrayed by NPS Ranger Alan Gephardt), and daughter Mollie (portrayed by Christy Downs) for an intimate evening as they reflect upon the past year – 1912. Cherished Garfield family holiday traditions and memories will be interwoven into the presentation. Matinee at 2 pm – program only; evening program at 6 pm includes live music, light refreshments, and a candlelight tour of the Garfield home. Tickets are $15.00 per person for the matinee and $25.00 per person for the evening performance. Tickets will be available online in early November. Sponsored by the Garfield Alliance and The Garfield Trail of Ohio.